Project Lead, Between the Bridges

About Inspiring Communities 
Inspiring Communities is a recognized leader in equity-centered systems change in Atlantic Canada. We recognize that our current systems and institutions don’t work for the people who need them most. We build collaborative relationships, develop skills and foster social experimentation (e.g. through social labs) to change these inequitable systems. While our programs and networks cover themes across Atlantic Canada, we are based in three communities in Nova Scotia: Digby, Dartmouth and Northside Cape Breton in Mi’kma’ki. We engage in reflective evaluation practices to learn from our experiments, integrate that learning into our work, and share what we’ve learned through our regional and national networks.

About the Opportunity 

Roles and Responsibilities: 
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Between the Bridges (BtB) Project Lead will lead the BtB team to deliver and grow the community-based initiative and its priority areas as identified by the community. This opportunity is a hybrid position; requiring 1-2 business days a week on-site presence at the HQ office in Dartmouth.

Specifically, they will do this by leading the Between the Bridges team in:

Having accountability and leadership for the BtB initiative, while working collaboratively with their team, community groups, and the broader IC organization to support the successful undertaking of activities associated with their role.
Working with community members and partners on community-led initiatives using systems change approaches (including but not limited to Collective Impact)
Strategic leadership for supporting design and delivery of new projects and programs.
Providing guidance in hosting and collaborating for networks
Developing collaboration and facilitation skills among team members
Ensuring outreach and authentic engagement with diverse communities
As part of the responsibilities above, the BtB Project Lead will undertake activities in the following areas:

Activity Areas 

Project Leadership for Between the Bridges and its programs 

• Creating and implementing annual work plans for BtB, in alignment with the Inspiring Communities (IC) Theory of Change, Logic Model, and Evaluative Framework
• Foster awareness, understanding and application of the Inspiring Communities (IC) strategic directions and the IC Principles.
• Coordinating the BtB community networks including the Dartmouth North Organizations Network, which includes meeting regularly, and supporting the groups to provide strategic direction to emerging initiatives.
• Hiring and supporting new staff to convene sub-groups, ensuring that all projects of BtB are in alignment with priorities identified by the community.
• Overseeing new projects including delegation, setting clear expectations, and ensuring deliverables are met.
• Representing BtB at community working groups and events and seeking out opportunities for collaboration and new partnerships.

Team Leadership 

• Creating and implementing an annual plan with the team, with clear priorities aligned with Inspiring Communities strategic direction.
• Supervising the BtB staff, including regular check-ins, leading BtB team meetings, co-creating work plans and training plans, conducting semi-annual reviews, and performance management.
• Recruitment of new staff and interns, with support from the IC core team.
• Overseeing the work of contractors, delegating where appropriate.
• Ensuring the timely and effective implementation of activities in their work plan, including:
  – Meeting agreed deadlines
  – Communicating any issues or challenges as they arise
  – Setting clear expectations of team members and community members

Financial Management 

• Setting an annual budget and conducting a mid-year reforecasting exercise with support from the Inspiring Communities Operations Manager
• Approving and tracking project expenses, including individual expense claims
• Overseeing all financial management of staff and projects associated with Northside Rising, acting as the touchpoint between the IC Operations Team and the NSR team regarding project budgets and finances.
• Flagging any variances with the IC Executive Director as per the Finance Policy
• Ensuring all contracts and agreements with external parties are up-to-date

Communications, Internal Relations and Reporting 

• Approving external communications as per the Communications & Identity Framework, delegating where appropriate.
• Ensuring branding is consistent across platforms and the team is aware of identity guidelines.
• Creating a communications plan for BtB, with support from the Core team.
  Being the first point of contact for the media and working with the IC Communications Manager to address media requests as they arise.
• Participating in and contributing to the culture and growth of Inspiring Communities through attending bi-weekly leadership team meetings, Inspiring
• Communities-wide staff meetings and learning sessions, strategic planning sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Contributing to or leading the completion of reports according to the specific requirements of multiple funders and partners, including financial reports.

Evaluation and Learning  

• Working with the Inspiring Communities Evaluation Framework to provide direction and support to evaluation at BtB.
• Fostering a culture of learning and evaluation in the team and the community.
• Seeking out and taking advantage of opportunities to share learnings from BtB across Inspiring Communities
• Working collaboratively with representatives from the other community-based initiatives to engage in and communicate learning through shared work.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have:

• a post-secondary degree in a related field
• 3 – 5 years of experience in community development, non-profit leadership, or project management
• an understanding of the assets and challenges present in the community.
  a high level of ease and comfort collaborating both online and in person; fundamental knowledge in technology / software platforms (ie. Microsoft Office 365, Quickbooks, Teams, Zoom, etc.)

Competencies: 

In order to perform effectively in this role, the Project Lead will need to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Community Engagement & Participatory Planning
• Leadership
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Learning for Change

Compensation and Benefits

We are always learning to narrow and close the gaps of inequity in our systems. We are invested in making time to reflect and pace ourselves in our work, relying on our strengths and are outcome-driven.  The initial salary range is $60,000 to $66,000 commensurate with education and experience. There is a three-month probationary period, after which a performance review will be held. This is a one-year full-time term position, with the possibility of renewal and extension.

Following the probationary period, the individual will have semi-annual reviews, including feedback on the PD & learning plan.

We offer a competitive compensation package:

• Cost-shared Medical & Dental Benefits
• Monthly Team Professional Development
• Use of Personal Computer & Phone Monthly Stipend (up to $100)
• Group RRSP Matching Contribution
• Travel Mileage Reimbursement Policy
• Sickness & Bereavement Leave Coverage
• 25 Days of Paid Holiday per year

Working Conditions:

The office is located in Dartmouth, NS with three days per week in the office required, and an option of working three to four days a week remotely. The BtB Project Lead maintains standard office hours with occasional evenings and weekends, as required, to accommodate meetings, training, and events. The position requires occasional travel across Nova Scotia.