Director, Policy Advocacy & Research

Position Details

Position Title: Director, Policy Advocacy & Research

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time

Reports to: Chief Programs Officer

Direct Reports: 3

Salary Range: $107,000 to $131,000 annually with benefits and 4 weeks paid vacation

Work Location: Ottawa (home-based)

Work Environment: Occasional travel to Toronto for key meetings may be required.

A vital source of policy expertise, relationship management, and political acumen, the Director, Policy Advocacy & Research joins UNICEF Canada at a pivotal time as we shape our next strategic plan and navigate a shifting political landscape to drive meaningful advocacy for children’s rights.

A collaborative and visionary leader, you will guide UNICEF Canada’s domestic and international public policy advocacy, continuing to grow UNICEF Canada’s impact and influence with the Canadian Government.

Working across teams, sectors, and civil society, you will direct our efforts to champion children’s rights in Canadian laws, policies, and budgets. Leveraging research, political acumen, and bold advocacy, you will influence decision-makers, empower young voices, and ensure alignment with national and global priorities.

If you’re passionate about turning policy into action, amplifying youth voices, and making a lasting impact on children’s lives in Canada and around the globe, this is your opportunity to lead transformative change.

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for UNICEF’s domestic and international policy advocacy and government fundraising objectives.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies, ensuring alignment with UNICEF global policy positions, organizational priorities, and resource allocation.
• Manage policy analysis and advocacy efforts to influence legislation and secure children’s rights in Canada, and influence the GoC to support children’s rights globally.
• Build opportunities to bring profile to UNICEF’s expertise in humanitarian, development, and gender responsive programming with government stakeholders.
• Actively embed youth voices into advocacy efforts, ensuring safe, meaningful engagement in coordination with UNICEF Canada’s Child Safeguarding Focal Point.
• Identify and implement campaigns and events to drive policy impact and public awareness.
• Serve as a media spokesperson on key issues, articulating key messages in both French and English.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposals, impact reporting, and financial oversight to ensure accountability.
• Oversee team compliance with federal lobbying regulations and internal governance policies.
• Manage program staff and resources for effective implementation and impact and align operational plans with financial and human resources.

• Maintain expert knowledge of UNICEF’s global advocacy policies and programs, ensuring that UNICEF Canada’s policy initiatives leverage both national and international guidance and best practices.
• Maintain expert knowledge of policy trends, legislative changes, parliamentary affairs, and political discourse related to children’s rights and a rights-based approach.
• Identify opportunities to raise the profile of UNICEF Canada with public policy decision-makers and influencers within Canada.
• Develop strategic, effective, non-partisan relationships with government officials, policymakers, and civil society leaders to advance policy goals.
• Represent UNICEF Canada at high-level sector and government discussions to position the organization as a thought leader within the child and youth space.
• Coordinate and/or undertake the writing of policy statements, briefs, reports, presentations and ensure research quality and advocacy outputs meet high standards for credibility and impact.

• Build impactful, respectful, and influential partnerships with government, civil society, and sector leaders to advance shared goals on behalf of children.
• Provide strategic insights on Canada’s child policy and international development landscape, advising senior leadership on trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Support UNICEF Canada’s President and Chief…