Advocacy Intern

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC); Ottawa; On-site; CAD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada’s Peace & Justice Office invites applications for an Advocacy Intern. This four-month, hourly basis internship supports research, communications, and project work to strengthen MCC’s federal advocacy efforts.

The role requires initiative, independence, and alignment with MCC peace and justice priorities, with learning opportunities and professional development. Based in Ottawa, the intern collaborates with MCC Canada staff and the Canadian Advocacy

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a university program in a related field (e.g., political science, international development, history, or comparable field).
• Ability to analyze and engage with new issues and fields of study.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative in developing and implementing ideas.
• Understanding of Canadian government structures, policy development, and decision-making processes.
• Police record check.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Canadian federal policy developments and assist with research.
• Draft policy briefs and research summaries, and support communications for MCC supporters.
• Assist in planning and delivering learning events and public engagement activities.
• Provide logistical support for office projects and special initiatives.
• Attend and report back on meetings and events with MCC staff and partners.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Teamwork

Initiative

Policy understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree or currently enrolled in related field

Job description

"

Advocacy Intern

Job Synopsis

The Advocacy Intern, based in Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada’s Peace & Justice Office (P&J), supports the organization’s capacity to advocate for peace andjusticeat the federal level.This four-month positioncombines research, communications, administrative, and project supportresponsibilities.Working closely with the P&J staff and members of the Canadian Advocacy Network, the internassistsin monitoring Canadian government policy developments, drafting research and communicationmaterials, and providing logistical support for learning events and advocacy initiatives.Thisrole requires initiative, independent work, and a commitment to MCC’s peace and justice priorities, while offeringopportunitiesfor personallearning and professional development in advocacy and public engagement.

This position isprimarilysupervised by onePeace&Justice Officestaff person but requires close and ongoing collaboration with other members of thePeace&Justice Officeteam.This internship is available on alivingwage basisfrom 18.75 hours up to37.5 hoursper week. Due to the short-term nature of this position, relocation policiesand benefitpackagedo not apply.

This position is available onan hourlybasis. Only those candidateswhoarelegally eligible towork inCanada should apply.

Hourly Employee Full Time

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential

• Currently enrolled inor recentlygraduated froma university program in a related field (e.g., political science, international development, history,or a comparable field).


• Ability toanalyze and engage withnew issuesand fields of study.


• Strongwritten and verbalcommunication skillswith the ability to presentcomplex information clearly andto diverseaudiences.


• Collaborative team playerwith theability to engageeffectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.


• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative indeveloping and implementing ideas.


• Understanding of Canadian government structures, policy development, anddecision-makingprocesses.


• Police record check.

Preferred

• Fluency in French.


• Understanding ofsocial justice issues relatedto the priorities of MCC.

Key Responsibilities

Contact/Relationships

Based in the Peace & Justice Office, the Advocacy Internwill bepartof a team that providesexpertiseandsupportfor MCC Canada’s advocacy efforts. The internwill workprimarily with P&J staffand will also engage withmembers of the Canadian Advocacy Network.

Supervision

No supervisory responsibilities.

During this four-month position, the internwillassistwithmonitoringand conductingbackground research on Canadian federal government policy issues, asidentifiedbytheir supervisor. The intern will also contributetoroutine office administrativetasksand provide logistical support for a variety of projects, including significant support for learning activities for MCC supporters.

Initiative and Ingenuity

The intern will take initiativein supporting and contributing to thedirection of theinternship. Thisincludesassisting in thedevelopmentofpersonal learningobjectivesthat alignwithestablished P&JOfficepriorities.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

Ability to writevarious kinds of communication on a regular basisfor internal MCC staff and external MCC supporters.

Mental/Physical/Visual Demand

Thisposition requiresdesk-basedworkwith significantscreen time.It also requires engagement withstories and reportsaddressingglobalinjustice,conflictand violence.

End Result

MCC Canada’scapacitytoeffectively advocate for peace and justice isenhanced throughstrengthenedresearch, communications, and supporter engagement.

Major Responsibilities

10%Creation of learning objectives

20% Research

15% Meeting attendance

30% Communications

25% Administrationfor special projects

Duties

10%Creation of learning objectives

Take initiative to help shape the direction oftheinternship.

Establish personal learningobjectivesin alignment withPeace & Justiceresearch priorities.

20%Research

Assistin monitoring and analyzingCanadiangovernment legislation, policies, and activities.

Track developmentsthroughmainstream and specializedmedia sources.

15%Meetingattendance

Attend and report back on public events, lectures, conferences, and coalition meetings.

Participatein regular staff meetingswith the Peace&Justice team, Canadian Advocacy Network,MCC Canada, andothers,including shared times ofdevotions and prayer with all in attendance.

30%Communications

Draft policy briefs, research summaries,and internal event reportson federal government agendas.

Supportsocial mediaupdatestoengage MCC supporters in the work of thePeace & JusticeOffice.

Contribute toadditionalpublic engagement writing asrequired.

25%Administration forSpecial Projects

Assistin planning and deliveringlearning events for MCC supporters.

Provide logistical and hostingsupport for office projects and special initiatives.

Other Duties

Ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is exemplified in the performance of all job responsibilities and through personal example.

Model non-violent peacemaking through daily interactions with staff and the public.

Participate in a local church and gatherings, beingwilling to use their gifts within the local faith community.

Carry outadditionalresponsibilities as assigned.

Start Date

05 Jan, 2026

Four months

Salary Details

Base salary: $23.4 - Salary is based on a living wage per hour in Ottawa, ON

Due to the short nature of this position, there are no benefits.

Additional Information

• That AI is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants for any position.


• All job postings are for an existing vacancy.

Location Description

Located on the banks of the Ottawa and Rideau rivers in the picturesque Ottawa valley of eastern Ontario, Ottawa offers a wide range of services and attractions.As the nation's capital, this cityis home toover1 millionresidents.Ithostsmore thandozenmuseums and galleries, plusmanyannual festivals. More than150 kmof recreational pathways wind through the cityprovidingample opportunityfor walking, cycling, or in-line skating. Inwinterthe Rideau canal becomes one of the world's largest outdoor skating rinks. The hills of Gatineau Park are only a twenty-minute drive from downtown Ottawa and offer year-round recreational activities including hiking, biking, camping, swimming, and cross-country skiing. The city of Montreal is only a two-hour drive east.

As an educationalcenter, Ottawa boasts two major universities, a small Catholic university, and a community college. The growing computer technology industry plays a significant role in the local economy.

A multi-cultural city, Ottawa is home to many diverse ethnic communities. Languages spoken in Ottawa include English (50%), French (30%), and a host of other languages including Italian, Chinese, Spanish,Portugueseand Arabic.

Additional

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) works in diverse cultures around the world. All personnel must support the mission and core values of MCC and respect the values of our supporting denominations and program partners.

• Respond to a set of eligibility questions.

"