Job Opening: Blue Futures Pathways Program Assistant

About The SOI Foundation
The SOI Foundation is recognized globally for delivering life-changing polar expeditions. But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our mission. Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges, making youth voices, ideas, and action more important than ever. Through educational expeditions, cross-cultural experiences, science and outreach initiatives in the Arctic, Antarctic, and places in between, the SOI Foundation inspires new perspectives, ideas, connections and collaborative solutions for a nature-positive world. The outcome is a global network that takes action and contributes to building healthy communities and a sustainable future for people and our planet. 

About Blue Futures Pathways
Blue Futures Pathways, an initiative of the SOI Foundation, is a bilingual program that connects young people aged 15-35 with education, employment and funding opportunities that inspire and support them in exploring successful careers in the emerging Sustainable Blue Economy.

In line with SOI’s mandate, Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) places particular emphasis on under-represented and Indigenous young people, and activities that support those in remote and rural areas. BFP also offers partner organizations a platform to communicate opportunities, as well as support to employers and educators wishing to engage and retain young people along their pathways.

About the UN Early Career Ocean Professional Program
BFP is an officially endorsed action under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. From September 2024, the SOI Foundation will also become the administrative home of the Early Career Ocean Professional Network (ECOP) in Canada, a node of the UN Ocean Decade ECOP Global Program. The UN ECOP Global vision is to elevate and strengthen the diverse perspectives of new generations of ocean professionals through a collective voice, ensuring that knowledge is transferred between experienced professionals and ECOPs to promote ocean sustainability for “The Ocean We Want”. 

Scope of the role
Reporting to the Director of Programs, the BFP Program Assistant will also collaborate closely with the BFP Program Manager, the BFP Communications Manager and the ECOP Program Manager in order to support the outcomes of the BFP and ECOP Programs.

Administration and outreach 55%

• Ensure the website, known as the Portal for Opportunities, Resources and Talent (PORT) is kept up-to-date and relevant
• Find appropriate posts for the job board and ensure it is updated weekly
• Liaise with employers, educators and youth by responding to requests for information
• Provide support to Blue Futures Pathways interns and ECOPs as required
• Support the development and running of  soft-skill training workshops for interns/ECOPs
• Support travel itineraries including BFP expedition travel as required
• Ensure expenditure is properly processed and recorded for the BFP and ECOP programs

Communications and Social Media 40%

• Support the creation of social media posts, blogs and other media, sourcing appropriate photographs and written content as required
• Research content for regular newsletters including:
  • Finding relevant stories
  • Reaching out to partners or individuals for content 
  • Liaising with the SOI Communications team for cross-sharing content
• Support and amplify BFP and ECOP events online and in-person
• Keep statistics of print and digital impressions and other key performance indicators

General 5%

• Overseeing day-to-day tasks and deliverables in coordination with other SOI staff members
• Contribute to a collaborative and positive work environment by participating in internal SOI Foundation activities, representing SOI Foundation at external events and conferences when applicable (sometimes requires travel, evenings, weekends), attending all-staff meetings, and assisting with other duties as assigned.  

Eligibility

• Educated to degree level
• Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and those who have been granted refugee status in Canada. 

Skill set:

• At least 4 years working in an administrative or assistant role
• Friendly and enthusiastic self-starter
• Efficient multi-tasker, who enjoys managing spreadsheets, creating lists, organizing and keeping records
• Excellent problem solver who welcomes new tasks and challenges;
• Great communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to liaise with people from various backgrounds and maintain and build relationships
• Adaptable to change, diplomatic and patient with a positive outlook
• Familiarity with WordPress, social media publishing tools, virtual event/meeting tools, Canva, Adobe Suite 
• Passion for the environment, ocean/water
• A good understanding of EDI terms, issues, best practices (particularly those relevant to Indigenous peoples)
• Fluency in English 
• Skills in French or Inuktut an advantage

Location
Due to the collaborative nature of this role, it will be primarily based out of the Gatineau office in Quebec. The SOI Foundation’s hybrid workplace model combines both in-person work (Tue, Wed, Thu) and focused remote work. 

Compensation and Benefits
The SOI Foundation offers all employees a competitive salary and benefits package including a 4.5 day work week, 20 days paid vacation, paid sick leave, office closure over Christmas and New Year, a health and benefits package, flexible working hours and a hybrid working environment. 

Application process
SOI is committed to enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion among its staff and programs and invites all qualified applicants to submit a resume and cover letter to tara@soifoundation.org. While we thank all applicants for their application, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.