About the Canadian Urban Institute

The Canadian Urban Institute is the heart of Canadian city building. We are a collaborative and inclusive platform where policymakers, urban professionals, leaders, activists, and academics from diverse backgrounds come together to shape vibrant and equitable communities across Canada. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) to reimagine public spaces, enhance mobility, and foster digital innovation. Our commitment extends to nurturing a community of practice for placemaking, ensuring resilient and inclusive urban development.

Role Description

We are looking for an experienced Storytelling Lead who is passionate about weaving narratives that reflect the rich tapestry of Canada’s communities. This role is a unique chance to craft stories that resonate with, represent, and empower all voices, particularly those from Indigenous communities, black people, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. By working closely with CHCI partners and our team, you will drive a storytelling strategy that celebrates diversity and fosters inclusive community engagement.

Responsibilities will include 

Strategy & Design

• Collaborate to create storytelling strategies that embrace and reflect the diversity of our communities.
• Craft narratives that spotlight the transformative power of placemaking and community initiatives.
• In collaboration with the CHCI team, develop a compelling narrative that tells the story of the initiative, learnings, and future plans.
• Identify opportunities for increased impact through the implementation of innovative storytelling methods and the regular reporting/analysis of key metrics.
• Work with key partners and CUI’s Communication Manager to integrate CHCI’s storytelling efforts into the broader organizational communication strategies.
• Lead the ongoing improvement of Canada’s Placemaking Community website, including liaising with designers, developers, and other contractors.

Storytelling Efforts

• Use participatory methods to share stories from varied perspectives, ensuring those narratives are inclusive and representative of Canada’s diversity.
• Develop visual and written content that uplifts and informs.
• Ensure content is leveraged across all channels including social media platforms, Canada’s Placemaking Community website, and partner communication channels.
• Maintain and update the CHCI website (content rather than technical responsibility)
• Manage content development and design for our monthly newsletter.

Teamwork

• Work alongside our dedicated team to amplify our collective voice, supporting events, content creation, and community engagement with your storytelling expertise.
• Support the Community Engagement Lead in the execution of virtual events by way of online communications and event platform management.
• Provide content, structure, and guidance to our Social Media Coordinator.

Experience & Skills Set

• Demonstrable leadership and initiative in communications and storytelling, – developing strategies and approaches as well as planning and developing creative and innovative content and stories.
• Commitment to inclusive and collaborative storytelling approaches that put the audience at the centre, with a special call those who have worked with or within, those communities facing systemic barriers such as Indigenous, Black communities, newcomers or persons with disabilities.
• Experienced in creating content for diverse platforms and audiences, including websites, social media, newsletters, video, etc.
• A team player who manages relationships with care and respect while effectively delivering on time.
• Experience with non-profit or community-led organizations, in the fields of public space, community development, or civic engagement.
• Experience with website development and / or knowledge of WordPress is an asset.
• Familiarity with GSuite, Canva Pro, MailChimp, Photoshop, Adobe Suite and Zoom is an asset.
• French is an asset

Working Conditions

• This is a remote position and requires the ability to work during regular business hours (ie. 9:00am – 5:00pm EST Monday to Friday).

Other Details

You will be joining a dynamic team that has:

• A keen interest in urban issues.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and in our programs.
• Interest in working across multiple projects.
• Interest in building relationships and working collaboratively with team members and external partners.
• A well-developed ability to effectively communicate with diverse and cross-sector audiences.
• Excellent judgement, strong initiative and the ability to work independently.
• An ability to work flexible hours from time to time.

Diversity

The Canadian Urban Institute is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We place high value on diversity and encourage applications from all equity-deserving groups. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us and we will arrange for accommodation.

Compensation

This is a part-time contractor role; the compensation rate for this role is $40-55/hour.

Apply today!

Please submit your cover letter and resume through the following form by 5:00 p.m. EDT on March 4, 2024. Your cover letter should outline your essential skills and tell us why you are the ideal candidate for this position.

Application Form [EN]

Application Form [FR]

If you have any challenges submitting your application through the form, please send an email to healthycommunities@canurb.org with your full name and “CHCI Storytelling Lead” in the subject line.

No telephone inquiries please. CUI thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about CUI visit www.canurb.org.