Full time, two-year term (with 6-month probation period) with possibility to be permanent.

Application deadline: April 26, 2024

The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) brings together 15 groups to research, monitor and raise awareness about issues relating to genetic engineering in food and farming, under our banner of “Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice.” CBAN members include farmer associations, environmental and social justice organizations, and regional coalitions of grassroots groups. CBAN is a project on the shared platform of the MakeWay Charitable Society. www.cban.ca.

Are you committed to social and environmental justice? Do you want an opportunity to campaign to protect our food system and wild ecosystems from destructive corporate exploitation? If so, you may be interested in applying for CBAN’s campaigner position.

CBAN campaigns for environmental justice and food sovereignty through our focus on examining the ecological, social and economic impacts of genetic engineering. This position provides a unique opportunity to support groups and projects at the forefront of the struggle for food sovereignty in Canada and internationally. You will examine and respond to a diversity of issues raised by the use of genetic engineering. No formal scientific training is required.

Gain more campaign experience and skills, learn about genetic engineering, and be a part of a vibrant, positive community that values people and the planet. Be a leader in the campaign to stop genetic engineering.

Position Overview

CBAN is seeking a competent, committed and conscientious person with a strong work ethic and strong communication skills to lead the implementation of projects and campaign activities, and contribute to campaign strategies and movement vision.

You will work to strengthen the Canadian and international work to stop the use of genetic engineering (GE or genetic modification) and fight corporate control. The use of genetic engineering in food and farming is set to accelerate with the new techniques of gene editing, posing new challenges to farmers and consumers and intensifying the global conflict over the future of agriculture. The technology is also being proposed for release into the wild, posing new threats to ecosystems. For example, the release of GE forest trees poses irreversible environmental risks and represents a further threat to Indigenous sovereignty. The application of genetic engineering to trees, insects, and other organisms diverts our path away from climate justice, towards deeper corporate control over lives and livelihoods.

You will support movement-building through your research and advocacy, and by building relationships of mutual trust and respect with other groups and communities. You will work in solidarity with groups and communities across Canada and around the world. CBAN is looking for a courageous, positive person to cultivate relationships with Indigenous groups and other non-governmental organizations and communities in Canada, to dialogue on the issue of GE crops and GE trees.

CBAN has a unique role in the movement for change, focusing on the challenges and risks posed by the use of genetic engineering in food and farming. Join us in this challenging and rewarding work. You can learn more about us at https://cban.ca/about-us/priorities/.

Our Values: Solidarity and justice, with a commitment to collaboration and accuracy.

Main qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly about complex issues.
• Experience in social justice and/or environmental campaigning: in research, outreach, advocacy and/or communications.
• A strong work ethic.

Skills required:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, in English.
• Strategic, creative thinking.
• Investigative research and critical thinking skills.
• Organizational skills, ability to work methodically and independently.
• Precision and accuracy in writing and research, including attention to source material, is essential. Accuracy is a key act of solidarity. You must value the details.
• Ability to work collaboratively, take constructive criticism and participate in community.
• Flexibility: Ability to adapt to new information and input, and respond quickly to shifting developments.
• Ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities include:

• Working under the supervision of, and reporting directly to, CBAN’s Coordinator to implement campaign plans and project activities.
• Outreach to, and relationship-building with, local, regional, national and international social movement organizations and communities, and with Indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities.
• Ongoing research to inform campaign strategizing, as well as research for the production of public information materials. This may include policy analysis.
• Leading the development of campaign strategies.
• Implementing campaign strategies. This may include government and media relations.
• Representing CBAN in social movement networks and facilitating communications across cultures and languages.
• Proactively working as part of a small collaborative team: Reporting progress frequently and discussing campaign developments on an ongoing basis.
• Representing the campaign in the media and other public fora.

Assets:

• A background in environmental and/or social justice, food sovereignty or forest conservation campaigning.
• Familiarity with the issue of genetic engineering.
• A positive, optimistic outlook with a focus on problem-solving.
• Experience in Indigenous-led organizing.
• A second language.

Specifics:

This is a remote position stationed in Canada, with a preference for location in Halifax where CBAN’s Coordinator is currently based.
Strong internet access is essential for this position.
Candidates must have legal permission to work in Canada.
The position is full-time. Some travel and some work in evening/weekend hours is required.
Salary and Benefits: $65,000/year with a generous benefits package that includes extended health coverage for you and your family, as well as four weeks of vacation.
Start date: June 25, 2024 (negotiable)

We encourage applications from women, racialized people, Indigenous people, people with marginalized sexual or gender identities, and people living with disabilities.
We will provide accommodation during all steps of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. Please advise us if you need any accommodation.

To apply by midnight April 26, 2024: Provide a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, three references, and please also indicate the time zone you will be working in. Send your email to jobs@cban.ca with the subject “Campaigning position – [FIRST NAME LAST NAME].”

In your cover letter, please include your responses to the following questions:
• How did you hear about this position?
• What interests you most about this position?
• What skills and experiences do you have that you want to bring to this work? (briefly)
• What you want to learn and what skills you want to build? (briefly)
• What questions do you have for CBAN about our work?

Interviews will be conducted by videoconference, in English, May 21-25.

Please circulate widely.
https://cban.ca/jobs