I’ve recently been asked to sit on the advisory committee for Canada’s World. An emerging project that seeks to facilitate a national dialogue on Canadian Foreign Policy.

Shauna Sylvester, the founder and director has started the process of staffing up the project. Attached below is the notice. Interested parties should contact Shauna.

Job Posting – Online Community Facilitator and Editor

Term: 18 months
Rate: $55,000 to $60,000 based on experience
Location: Vancouver
Ideal Start date: June 11, 2007
Application deadline: May 23, 2007

Canada’s World, a project of the SFU Centre for Dialogue seeks a full-time On-Line Community Facilitator and Editor to join our national team. Canada’s World is a national citizens’ dialogue aimed at creating a new vision for Canadian international policy. Our secretariat offices are based in Vancouver and we work in collaboration with a series of academic and non-profit organizations across the country.

The On-line Community Facilitator and Editor plays a pivotal role in this collaborative initiative. S/he will report to the Director of Canada’s World and work closely with staff, interns, volunteers and advisory committee members in creating a virtual community where citizens can exchange ideas and learn about Canada’s place in the world.

The idea candidate will be an excellent writer, well-organized, and detail-oriented with a passion for and knowledge of international policy issues. S/he will be bilingual (French and English), enjoy working within a dynamic work environment and capable of analyzing complex discussions and distilling them in plain language communications. S/he will be experienced at facilitating on-line forums and blogs, enjoy editing and working with computers and social networking tools. S/he will possess a post-secondary degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Information Management or a related field, enjoy working in a face-paced dynamic environment and have the ability to think creatively.

Canada’s World is an equal opportunity employer. All interested applicants should submit their cover letter, resume and a 200 word response to the following question: What are some of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing Canada internationally in the next twenty years?

to: Shauna Sylvester shaunas@canadasworld.ca, Canada’s World Fellow, SFU Centre for Dialogue, 3303 – 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5K3

Job Description

The Online Community Facilitator/Editor is responsible for facilitating the virtual presence of Canada’s World. S/he reports to the Project Director and works with web design staff in ensuring that the on-line components of the initiative are developed and delivered to maximize citizen engagement. Specific duties include:

Communications and Marketing

• Assisting staff in identifying appropriate modes of marketing the website
• Inviting community members to use the site, assisting them with access and logistical issues
• Responding to information requests from community members in a timely manner
• Developing on-line tools to maximize social networking and outreach to existing and potential community members

Editing and Regulation

• Overseeing the approval of content across the site and ensuring that quality content is approved and inappropriate content is declined
• Consulting with appropriate stakeholders when editorial issues arise and addressing them in a sensitive manner
• Bringing attention to and/or enforcing community norms, rules and procedures
• Acting as the primary liaison with the web hosting organization, suppliers and licensing bodies

On-line Programming

• Uploading content onto the site, creating groups and folders and updating web pages
• Maintaining a daily blog which summarizes the key ideas from the days’ online deliberations
• Facilitating a daily on-line forum based on the key themes from the citizens’ dialogues
• Designing and monitoring on-line surveys and developing summary reports of their findings
• Tracking and monitoring web usage to identify areas for strength and improvement

Planning, Administration, Reporting

• Providing advice to the Director and web design team on strengthening the on-line dimensions of the initiative
• Working and supporting interns and volunteers in web-related activities
• Providing written reports for presentation to funders as necessary
• Participating in evaluations of the on-line program
• Participating and representing Canada’s World at external meetings as requested
• Participate actively on the Canada’s World staff team and share in the administrative duties