The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is a non-profit organization devoted to educating, equipping, and encouraging political action among members of Canada’s Reformed churches and shining the light of God’s Word to our civil governments. By God’s grace, and through the support of our donors, this organization continues to grow. We are now seeking an additional full-time employee to assist us in carrying out our mission. 

Job Description: Policy Analyst

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (other locations may be considered depending on the candidate’s qualifications)

Responsibilities:

A successful applicant will work alongside the current ARPA staff and report to the Executive Director. The primary responsibilities will include:

Research and Writing

• Produce articles, policy reports, government submissions, and a wide variety of other means of communication in a manner that requires minimal oversight;
• Be able to communicate policy and ideas in a way that resonates with both government officials and our grassroots. This includes a wide variety of ages, experiences, and interests;
• Produce newsletters, web content, and social media posts for our regular communication with ARPA’s constituents;
• Over time, develop expertise on some of the key issues that ARPA focusses on and eventually be able to interact quickly with government, media, and ARPA’s constituents on these issues. 

Public speaking/presentations (role can be expanded with time)

• Ability to draft speech transcripts, produce Powerpoint and Prezi presentations, and then be able and willing to deliver this content to a wide variety of audiences including schools, churches, and the public;
• Possibility of taking part in national tours;
• Possibility of speaking at local events/presentations, as required.

Lobbying (role can be expanded with time)

• Meet with public office holders with the goal of building long-term relationships and influencing public policy.

Media Engagement

• Over time, have ability to prepare op-eds for mainstream media;
• As expertise increases, have ability to take media interviews on particular policy issues that ARPA engages with. 

Grassroots Engagement

• Answer questions and feedback from constituents;
• Develop realistic and easy-to-understand action-items for ARPA’s constituents and local ARPA groups;
• Assist the Grassroots Director with communications to local ARPA groups;
• Provide training on key issues and lobbying at provincial or national ARPA conferences.
• Other responsibilities may arise, depending on the skills of the candidate and requirements of the organization.

Employment details:

• Salary, health benefits and RRSP provided
• Salary is negotiable
• Potential for long-term career and promotion
• Position start time is negotiable depending on individual circumstances 

Requirements for application:

• Heartfelt agreement with the mission, vision, tone, and direction of ARPA Canada, also as communicated in ARPA’s Core Principles;
• Active membership in a confessional Reformed church and willing to subscribe in writing to the Bible, including as it is summarized in the Three Forms of Unity (see http://canrc.org/?page=26 for details);
• Undergraduate degree;
• Proficiency with MS Office and a variety of web applications;
• Must be willing to travel multiple times per year (eg. 15-30 nights). Travel includes trips to all parts of Canada and is discouraged over Sundays;
• Self-motivated and disciplined work ethic – ability to work alone long-term while producing a high volume of work, sometimes with little notice;
• Ability to work well with a team that is scattered across Canada, through virtual means;
• Six month trial period and minimum 5 year expected commitment.

Assets:

• Experience with volunteering with local ARPA groups
• Political experience with a similar organization and/or political party
• Post-secondary education in the Humanities, Law, or the Social Sciences
• Public speaking experience
• French language skills
• Graphic design skills

Application Deadline: March 9, 2015 (we reserve the right to extend the deadline depending on the number and suitability of the applications)

Application Procedure:

If you are interested in the job description and meet the requirements listed above, please submit a resume, an accompanying cover letter, the names and contact information of at least two work references and the name and contact information of one character reference (preferably a pastor or elder). Complete application packages must be submitted to Mark Penninga at [email protected]. 

The cover letter must introduce yourself, detail how you fulfill the requirements listed above, and indicate your salary requirement and also address our preference for the position to be based in Ottawa. Writing samples are encouraged (eg articles, papers or reports you have written). 

ARPA Canada reserves the right to only follow-up with, interview, and hire candidates that it deems suitable for the position. Multiple interviews may be required.