Officer, Government Relations & Advocacy

Food Banks Canada | Banques alimentaires Canada; Ottawa; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Banks Canada is seeking an experienced Officer, Government Relations and Advocacy to plan and execute advocacy strategies, and to engage with elected officials, staff, and the food bank network to advance policy changes addressing poverty and food insecurity in Canada. The role is home-based within 100 km of Ottawa, full-time, with occasional travel.

You will monitor activities, support training and resources, and help ensure compliance with lobbying requirements.

Qualifications

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent, preferably in political science, public administration, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience in government relations, advocacy, politics, public affairs, stakeholder relations, or public policy.
• Experience working with government stakeholders or elected officials.
• Experience working in federal Canadian politics with a strong understanding of Canadian government and political systems.
• Knowledge of parliamentary processes, government decision-making, and public policy development.
• Eligible to be registered as a federal lobbyist.
• Experience working in an association or non-profit environment is considered an asset.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy including strong proofreading skills.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of Food Banks Canada’s government relations and advocacy strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, political staff, public servants across all levels of government, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous government activities relevant to Food Banks Canada’s priorities.
• Track legislation, parliamentary activity, government consultations, budgets, and policy announcements.
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the planning and execution of advocacy campaigns that raise awareness of food insecurity and poverty and advance policy change.
• Coordinate meetings and engagement opportunities with elected officials, political staff, and government representatives.
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the planning and execution of advocacy events, network engagement activities, and Days of Action.
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the development of advocacy training, resources, and tools for food banks and provincial associations.
• Monitor and report on advocacy training, resources, and tools for food banks and provincial associations.
• Support compliance with all applicable lobbying and reporting requirements.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Government relations

Advocacy

Public policy

Stakeholder relations

Policy analysis

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in political science / public administration / communications

Job description

At Food Banks Canada, our commitment stretches across the nation, tirelessly supporting and enhancing the work of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations. We invest in, advocate for, and bolster their critical efforts. Through diligent research, we delve into the root causes of food insecurity, devising actionable solutions informed by our findings as we work to create a Canada where no one goes hungry.

In 2024, Waterstone Human Capital recognized our workplace for embodying one of Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures of the year. This distinction highlights best-in-class Canadian organizations with cultures that have helped them enhance performance. For us, performance means advancing our mission and achieving organizational goals collaboratively with a team that is happy, healthy and engaged.

Our efforts and impact are expanding, and we're opening doors for passionate, teamwork-driven professionals in search of a career that's both meaningful and captivating. Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for all our roles at Food Banks Canada as we support Canadians across the country.

About the Role

Reporting to the Vice President, Advocacy and Research, the Officer, Government Relations and Advocacy supports the planning and execution of government relation strategies, advocacy campaigns, stakeholder engagement activities, and network advocacy initiatives. The Officer, Government Relations and Advocacy is responsible for supporting Food Banks Canada’s government relations and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the food bank network and external stakeholders. This role works with elected officials, political staff, public servants, provincial associations, the food bank network, and sector partners to advance long-term solutions that reduces poverty and food insecurity in Canada.

What You Will Be Doing

• Support the planning and execution of Food Banks Canada’s government relations and advocacy strategies
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, political staff, public servants across all levels of government, and external stakeholders
• Monitor federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous government activities relevant to Food Banks Canada’s priorities
• Track legislation, parliamentary activity, government consultations, budgets, and policy announcements
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the planning and execution of advocacy campaigns that raise awareness of food insecurity and poverty and advance policy change
• Coordinate meetings and engagement opportunities with elected officials, political staff, and government representatives
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the planning and execution of advocacy events, network engagement activities, and Days of Action
• Support the VP, Advocacy & Research with the development of advocacy training, resources, and tools for food banks and provincial associations
• Monitor and report on advocacy training, resources, and tools for food banks and provincial associations
• Support compliance with all applicable lobbying and reporting requirements
• Other duties as assigned

What You Will Need

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent, preferably in political science, public administration, communications, or a related field
• Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience in government relations, advocacy, politics, public affairs, stakeholder relations, or public policy
• Experience working with government stakeholders or elected officials
• Experience working in federal Canadian politics with a strong understanding of Canadian government and political systems
• Knowledge of parliamentary processes, government decision-making, and public policy development
• Eligible to be registered as a federal lobbyist
• Experience working in an association or non-profit environment is considered an asset
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy including strong proofreading skills
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work
• The position is home-based and must be located within 100/km of Ottawa, ON
• Occasional travel within Canada will be required
• Salary: $59,535 - 79,380. Compensation for the top candidate will be commensurate on experience

Applications will be accepted for this vacant position until the end of the day on Friday October 30th, 2026.

Food Banks Canada believes that diversity is the cornerstone of excellence within our team and mirrors the community we serve. We warmly invite candidates of all genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. Committed to an accessible recruitment journey, Food Banks Canada ensures a barrier-free experience. Should you be approached for a job opportunity, please reach out to [e-mail] if you require accommodations.

We thank all those who apply but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Our recruitment process relies on human review. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, select, or assess candidates.