External Affairs Specialist

External Posting Notice

Title: External Affairs Specialist

Department: Policy, Campaigns & Communications

Status: Full-time, indeterminate, unionized

Immediate Supervisor: Director, Policy, Campaigns & Communications

Salary: $75,948.37 - $98,618.24

Level: Band 3

Vacancy Type: Current Opening

Final date to receive applications: October 4, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is found

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the international Oxfam Confederation networked in over 85 countries as part of a global movement for change. Our mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. We work directly with communities, partners and women's rights organizations to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality and keep people poor.

Together we seek to influence those in power to ensure that women trapped in poverty have a say in the critical decisions that affect them, their families and entire communities. That’s why we believe that ending global poverty begins with women’s rights.

Oxfam Canada offers a generous compensation and benefits program, but more than that, we offer the opportunity to be a part of our global movement for change. If you advocate for gender equality, are passionate about women’s rights, and share our values of Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage – we want you on our team!

Reporting to the Director, Policy, Campaigns and Communications, and working closely with the Policy and Advocacy team and the Communications team, the External Affairs Specialist is responsible for leading the development and execution of Oxfam Canada’s government relations and media outreach. The External Affairs Specialist will work with teams across the organization, including members of the Senior Leadership Team, to develop government and media relations initiatives to advance Oxfam Canada’s organizational priorities.

Well versed in government processes and having a strong existing network of contacts, the Specialist will ensure that Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities are brought in front of decision-makers and to the public through media.

The External Affairs Specialist is a people person who enjoys making connections and building working relationships to increase Oxfam’s visibility and profile, and help advance Oxfam’s vision for a just and sustainable world. They thrive in developing outreach strategies and identifying opportunities to engage government and media in our work, and act as a spokesperson for Oxfam.

• Develop and execute outreach plans to ensure Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities are brought in front of government officials.
• Monitor and identify relevant parliamentary processes and mechanisms to grow support for Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities.
• Build strong relationships with relevant Members of Parliament, government officials and political staff.
• Support policy and advocacy and senior leadership teams in analyzing political trends and identifying risks and opportunities.
• Support policy and advocacy team in developing influencing strategies and executing key activities.
• Support the Executive Director and senior leadership team members to build up their media profile and relationships with key decision makers.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the communications team to identify media moments
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists and producers to ensure Oxfam Canada issues are covered in media.
• Organize news conferences and policy events.
• Produce high quality advocacy and communications products (briefing notes, press releases, media pitches, op-eds, etc.) to engage policy-makers and secure media…