Job posting: Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition

 

The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) is a national coalition located at Simon Fraser University that advocates for drug policies based on principles of public health, human rights, and social inclusion. CDPC promotes drug policies informed by the priorities of communities of people who use drugs, ethical research and knowledge-gathering processes, and First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and Indigenous sovereignty. CDPC engages in policy advocacy, public education and dialogue, research, and movement building within regional, national, and international arenas. CDPC’s goals are to inform, educate, and mobilize citizens to become involved in Canadian and international drug policy reform movements.

CDPC is recruiting a Senior Policy Analyst to provide in-depth policy analysis, towards knowledge mobilization, public education and advocacy for the reform of Canadian drug policies. The Senior Policy Analyst will provide leadership in the development and implementation of CDPC’s evolving policy advocacy framework. In doing so, this senior level position will proactively liaise with a national coalition of organizations and individuals to improve and innovate approaches for harm reduction, decriminalization, safe supply, and legal regulation of drug production, distribution and access within the Canadian context.

The Senior Policy Analyst will provide CDPC and its partners with analyses of the implications of existing policies and proposed reforms. This will include review of existing legislation, development of policy positions, engagement on proposed policy regulations, and facilitation of outreach to policy makers.

The Senior Policy Analyst will lead and incorporate input from deliberative dialogues with CDPC staff, coalition members and other stakeholders to examine and develop positions on and propose solutions to critical drug policy issues.

The Senior Policy Analyst will develop and maintain proactive relations with organizations developed by people who use drugs, advocacy organizations, Indigenous and First Nations leadership, senior officials in all levels of government, relevant NGOs, researchers, and philanthropic organizations that focus on public policy issues.

The Senior Policy Analyst will provide input on CDPC’s research strategy, including identification of research gaps and knowledge mobilization with key stakeholder groups, in alignment with CDPC’s mission and strategic priorities.

This position reports to the CDPC Executive Director.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work with CDPC Staff, Steering Committee members, partners and coalition members to initiate constructive policy and legislative or regulatory proposals that contribute to the actualization of the CDPC vision and theory of change;
  • Analyze and prepare policy analysis and policy briefs on current and proposed policy, legislation and regulatory proposals regarding the potential impact on individuals who use drugs, in formats that are suitable for CDPC coalition membership, senior policy staff within government, and the public where appropriate;
  • Work closely with CDPC program leads and coalition members to convene a working group for coordinated input and decision-making on policy and campaign objectives for the legal regulation of drugs;
  • Contribute to and support the work of CDPC’s Systems Change work in exploring models of legal regulation through a participatory process in British Columbia;
  • Provide policy expertise to CDPC staff and interconnect current programs under a cohesive policy strategy, including Getting to Tomorrow, Broken Drug Policies, and Stimulus: Drugs, Policy and Practice in Canada;
  • Synthesize research on current or proposed legislative and regulatory drug policy changes, prioritizing analysis on impacts for people who use drugs;
  • Act as a media spokesperson where appropriate and contribute to the development of relevant panels, programs or presentations at drug policy and related events and conferences;
  • Collaborate with CDPC staff to achieve organizational sustainability goals, including contributions to strategic planning and grant writing;
  • Other duties may be assigned, and travel may be required.

 

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Graduate degree or equivalent education and experience in critical public policy, critical sociology, public health, law, human rights or a related field, with demonstrated experience in policy analysis, preferably in the areas of drug policy, public health, human rights and/or criminal justice;
  • Knowledge of government relations, legislative and/or regulatory processes, legal conditions and advocacy work, preferably as pertains to drug policy;
  • Familiarity with the legislative and legal contexts of harm reduction, decriminalization, safe supply, and legal regulation of drugs;
  • Superior research, knowledge mobilization, and analytical skills;
  • Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skills, including the ability to communicate the substance of CDPC policy positions orally and in writing to member organizations, media, and other relevant parties;
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate teams, build capacity, and engage a diverse range of stakeholders within processes of policy development;
  • A passion for public policy and the political process evidenced by an existing record of written and oral policy recommendations and media engagements;
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently;
  • Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment;
  • Existing connection to professional networks with the capacity to inform CDPC policy analysis and work is an asset;
  • Proficiency in web‐based research, Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook), and online collaborative tools (Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, Slack);
  • A strong orientation to detail as a self‐starter who thrives in a rapidly changing environment while working with a diverse team of colleagues and members;
  • Fluency in French an asset.

The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) is committed to equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion, and is focused on enriching our commitment to and application of these principles. We encourage applicants from a range of communities, experiences, and backgrounds including, Indigeneity, race, drug use, ability, sexuality, gender, and those affected by the criminalization of drugs and/or sex work.

Location: CDPC offices are located at SFU’s Harbour Centre Campus in downtown Vancouver, BC. CDPC is open to applications from across Canada and remote work is a possibility.

Hours and Travel: Work takes place during regular business hours though some flexibility may be required. This position may require domestic and international travel, safety conditions permitting.

Contract Position: Full-time, 12 months with the possibility of extension dependent on funding.

Salary: $84,000 annually, with possibility of renewal.

Application Deadline: The position will remain open until filled, and we will begin reviewing applications on Friday, May 27, 2022.

 

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and CV including a list of publications in PDF format to [email protected] Attention: Donald MacPherson with the subject line ‘Senior Policy Analyst’. Please describe any ways in which you understand or incorporate diversity and inclusion into your work within your cover letter.

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by phone or email. Early applications are encouraged and appreciated. Thank you to all who apply.

Learn more about the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition