Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Advisor

• Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Advisor

Competition #:2026-EXT-21
Posting date:October 6, 2026
Closing date:November 3, 2026
Duration: One year (with the possibility of an extension or becoming permanent)
Classification level:Level 5
Salary: $116,641 – $143,957
Number of positions:1
Status: Unionized

The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) is a dynamic and progressive union representing over 27,000 professional employees in the federal public sector. At CAPE, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all our members.

• Progressive work environment
• Flexible Work Model & Remote work opportunities
• Seamless transition for public servants

The Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Advisor leads CAPE’s advocacy and government relations portfolio, developing strategy, identifying policy objectives as well as key advocacy and lobbying opportunities. They also keep CAPE members abreast of relevant and useful developments in the labour policy landscape.

• University undergraduate degree in communications, public affairs, government relations, political or social sciences or any related discipline.
• A graduate degree is preferred.
• At least for years’ experience of relevant and similar work with NGOs, interest groups, government agencies or unions.
• Experience providing advice to senior management, leading in research, strategy, planning, opportunities development and campaign development and implementation.
• Experience conducting stakeholder landscape analyses, devising stakeholder engagement plans, and managing policy advocacy and government relations communications activities and products.
• Experience conducting impact assessments and reporting results.
• Experience campaigning the Canadian government and political parties to advance social and/or labour issues.
• Work experience in the human rights and/or labour space an asset.

Track record of success advancing an organization’s policy positions and designing and managing campaigns.

Note:

Equivalent combinations of education and/or experience are considered.

• Develops and promotes, in partnership with key staff, CAPE’s official positions in various areas and helps develop CAPE’s capacity to engage with and influence the Canadian federal government departments employing CAPE’s members as well as Treasury Board and other governmental, political and labour stakeholders.
• Leads initiatives to develop and deliver public policy advocacy and related government relations initiatives in collaboration with all CAPE stakeholders.
• Creates, fosters, and maintains working relationship with key elected officials from all political parties represented in Canada’s Parliament.
• Advises senior management (Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chief of staff and President) on communications and public affairs strategy.
• Advises and supports media and public outreach efforts.
• Maintains and nurtures effective contacts and coordinates policy advocacy efforts and initiatives with other unions.
• Identifies, manages, and builds relationship with parliamentarians, special interests’ groups, and other relevant key stakeholders to help advocate for the adoption of measures and policies that can benefit members.
• Advises the President, in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Public Affairs and Senior Advisor to the President, on strategic opportunities with elected officials.
• Responsible for communicating the outcomes of key meetings with ministers, party leaders and other elected officials to CAPE members.
• Responsible for updating the Registry of Lobbyists of keeping the President and Director of…