Job Opening: ECOP Canada – Program Manager

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 (BFP), 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.

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 via the Blue Futures Pathways program will also become the administrative home of the Early Career Ocean Professionals Network (ECOP) in Canada, a node of the UN Ocean Decade ECOP Global Program

About the Early Career Ocean Professional Network Program
The Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Programme is established to empower ECOPs, who self-identify as being early in their career in any field related to the ocean. The Programme is at the heart of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and it was endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade as a network program in 2021. ECOP’s 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
ECOP Canada builds capacity for individuals within the first 10 years of their career in the ocean sector with a focus on three priority areas: Community and Connection, Leadership Development, and Networking and Advocacy.  Reporting to the SOI Foundation Director of Programs, the role of the ECOP Program Manager will be to shape and lead the three priority areas and ensure that objectives are met on time and within budget.

Strategic Management 20%

• Finalize the Strategic Priorities and Objectives Plan for ECOP Canada and ensure regular review and updating.
• Work with the Director of Programs to develop a measurable work plan and budget for ECOP Canada and then oversee both of these.
• Support the Communications Manager to develop a measurable communications strategy and budget for ECOP Canada
• Ability to seek out new funding and develop and write funding proposals
• Liaise with a small, international advisory committee
• Liaise with the UN Decade Office, ECOP Global and other other ECOP nodes as appropriate, ensuring ECOP Canada remains relevant.
• Share and disseminate key updates and information from ECOP Global to ECOP members as appropriate.

Community and Connection 25%

• Build presence on the ECOP Canada social media channels in order to grow the engagement of Canadian ECOPs of all generations
• Build up presence on the UN Ocean Decade sites and the BFP PORT showcasing membership diversity and expertise
• Build connections through storytelling and engaging broader audiences

Leadership Development 25%

• Seek out and offer training and professional development opportunities to ECOPs across Canada 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to offer virtual or in-person training to ECOPs in soft skills
• Build an international BFP ambassador program with young ECOPs
• Represent ECOP Canada and ECOP Global on existing working groups or by proposing new working groups.  

Networking and Advocacy 25%

• Ensure diverse, Canadian ECOP participation and representation at relevant Ocean and Climate Conferences both in Canada and internationally
• Partner with Canadian ocean organizations & global entities like COLC and the UN ECOP programme to ensure ECOPs have a seat at the table.
• Coordinate and co-deliver live or virtual events at national and international conferences providing platforms for ECOPs to engage in critical dialogue.

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

• Must identify as an ECOP (within the first ten years of your career in the ocean sector) 
• Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and those who have been granted refugee status in Canada. 

Skills:

• At least 8 years of management or leadership experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Strong communications skills including oral and written
• Budget management skills
• Passion for Early Career Ocean Professionals
• Experience working with international stakeholders and audiences
• A people person with effective and demonstrated interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a variety of stakeholders
• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit demonstrating a strong capacity to work independently and collaboratively
• Organized and efficient multi-tasker with great attention to detail
• Adaptable to change, diplomatic and patient with a positive outlook
• Can work under pressure and tight deadlines
• Big picture thinking and connecting dots
• 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.