External Affairs Specialist

External Posting Notice

Title: External Affairs Specialist

Department: Policy Campaigns & Communications

Status: Full-time unionized

Supervisor: Director Policy Campaigns & Communications

Salary: $75948.37 - $98618.24

Level: Band 3

Vacancy Type: Current Opening

Application Deadline: October 4 2026 or until suitable candidate is found

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the internationalOxfam Confederationnetworked in over 85 countries as part of a global movement for change. Our mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. We work directly with communities partners and womens rights organizations to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality and keep people poor. Together we seek to influence those in power to ensure that women trapped in poverty have a say in the critical decisions that affect them their families and entire communities. Thats why we believe that ending global poverty begins with womens rights.

Oxfam Canada offers a generous compensation and benefits program but more than that we offer the opportunity to be a part of our global movement for change. If you advocate for gender equality are passionate about womens rights and share our values of Equality Empowerment Solidarity Inclusiveness Accountability and Courage we want you on our team!

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Director Policy Campaigns and Communications and working closely with the Policy and Advocacy team and the Communications team the External Affairs Specialist is responsible for leading the development and execution of Oxfam Canadas government relations and media outreach. The External Affairs Specialist will work with teams across the organization including members of the Senior Leadership Team to develop government and media relations initiatives to advance Oxfam Canadas organizational priorities. Well versed in government processes and having a strong existing network of contacts the Specialist will ensure that Oxfam Canadas influencing priorities are brought in front of decision-makers and to the public through media.

The External Affairs Specialist is a people person who enjoys making connections and building working relationships to increase Oxfams visibility and profile and help advance Oxfams vision for a just and sustainable world. They thrive in developing outreach strategies and identifying opportunities to engage government and media in our work and act as a spokesperson for Oxfam.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed)

• Develop and execute outreach plans to ensure Oxfam Canadas influencing priorities are brought in front of government officials.
• Monitor and identify relevant parliamentary processes and mechanisms to grow support for Oxfam Canadas influencing priorities.
• Build strong relationships with relevant Members of Parliament government officials and political staff.
• Support policy and advocacy and senior leadership teams in analyzing political trends and identifying risks and opportunities.
• Support policy and advocacy team in developing influencing strategies and executing key activities.
• Support the Executive Director and senior leadership team members to build up their media profile and relationships with key decision makers.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the communications team to identify media moments
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists and producers to ensure Oxfam Canada issues are covered in media.
• Organize news conferences and policy events.
• Produce high quality advocacy and communications products (briefing notes press releases media pitches op-eds etc.) to engage policy-makers and secure media coverage.
• Act as Oxfam Canada spokesperson in the media and with government and support other OCA spokespeople in preparation for interviews.
• Monitor media and provide regular media roundups summaries and analytics using Meltwater.
  

Other duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• Masters degree in relevant field of study (such as Political Science International Relations Journalism) or equivalent education and experience;
• Minimum of seven years in a comparable external relations/public affairs position;
• Experience working on government relations and advocacy in the not-for-profit sector;
• Experience working on social justice womens rights and/or international issues;
• Commitment to Oxfams mission and strategic focus on global justice womens rights and gender justice and to Oxfam Canadas feminist principles.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing government and media engagement strategies and plans;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian policy landscape and experience with parliamentary processes and mechanisms;
• Proven experience in influencing lobbying and/or advocacy of Members of Parliament government officials and political staff.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven track record of working with media and journalists;
• Knowledge of new media trends;
• Ability to convey complex ideas in plain language to varied audiences;
• Ability to troubleshoot and anticipate challenges and effectively and efficiently handle multiple simultaneous and complex tasks and projects;
• Capacity to develop expertise in new issue areas;

• Strong English language skills required; French language skills a strong asset;
• Demonstrated commitment to feminism anti-racism justice equity diversity and inclusion;
• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct.

** MUST be eligible to work in Canada **

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications.If you dont see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above we still encourage you to apply!

As an organization and as individuals we stand against all systems of oppression violence and hate. We stand for justice equity diversity inclusion (JEDI) and decolonization within our organization and society at large guided by ourAnti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Principles (ARAO) ourFeminist Principles and oursix core values:Equality Empowerment Solidarity Inclusiveness Accountability and Courage.OurStrategic Framework 2021-2025has a commitment to grow as a feminist diverse and inclusive organization. To that end we have created anAnti-Racism JEDI and Decolonization Strategy 2023-2025with a vision tobecome a more just inclusive and equitable organization unbound by the oppressive systems of racism white supremacy patriarchy and the legacy of colonialism that have fueled global poverty and inequality.

We prioritize creating a compassionate inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and connected. We are especially eager to hear fromwomen and gender non-conforming individuals Indigenous peoples Black and racialized communities 2SLGBTQI individuals persons with disabilities immigrants to Canada and others from underrepresented groups.

If you require adaptive measures during any stage of the recruitment process please notify us ator. We are committed to providing accommodations to meet your Canada has an accommodation policy for persons with disabilities. The job posting is available in alternate formats.

At Oxfam Canada we are committed to fair transparent and human-centered recruitment and selection practices. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) in any stage of our recruitment or selection processes currently. All decisions are made by trained human personnel.

Important Note:Offers of employment are conditional upon signing our code of conduct satisfactory references and any required screening checks. At Oxfam Canada we place a high priority on ensuring that only individuals who share and demonstrate our values join our team.

For additional career opportunities visit Please note that we do not offer internships or overseas volunteer placements.

We thank all those who apply however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Required Experience:

Senior IC