Have you reached the point in your career where you want to know you are really making a difference? Are you passionate about organic food and interested in helping Prairie farmers to be more successful on their farms? Have you honed your listening, coaching and problem-solving skills to a fine point, and would love to put them to use in a place where they will be appreciated and celebrated? We are looking for someone who loves to get people excited and working together for a common cause. Someone who is fanatical for schedules and budgets, but who can maintain a sense of humour no matter what level of chaos is going on around you. Someone who is smart, flexible, fun and creative. Is that you? Then we want to hear from you!

About the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative:

Following a decade of growth, Canada is now the fourth largest global market for organic foods.  58% of Canadians buy organic products on a weekly basis. While the Canadian organic food market has tripled since 2006 from $1 to $3 billion, organic production has not kept pace. A shortage of organic grain production is a significant barrier to growth in Canada’s burgeoning organic processing sector and for sales into strong and growing international markets. Increasing the quality and quantity of organic grain from the Canadian Prairies is imperative for the Canadian organic community to keep up with current market demand and drive market expansion.

The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative is a $2.2 Million 4 year program which began in October 2014 and is aimed at achieving growth in the organic grain sector of the Canadian Prairies, while simultaneously building resiliency and stability. The program focuses on increasing both the quantity and quality of organic field crops while building strong market relationships. The program is housed by Organic Alberta, however, it is a partnership across the entire organic sector and between the organic associations in each province. Organic Alberta is working closely with Sask Organics, Manitoba Organic Alliance, Certified Organic Associations of BC, The Canada Organic Trade Association, The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and USC Canada through The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security as well as with producers, grain buyers, processors, certification bodies and major organic brands to develop and deliver programming. The Initiative is truly an industry wide project.

The initiative has three main focus streams including the New Grower stream which will increase the number of organic acres by 15% by January 2019, the Optimization stream which will improve the quality of current organic seed and grain, as well as farm profitability, and the Market Development stream which will promote Canadian organic grains around the world to increase market opportunities for Canadian businesses.

About Organic Alberta:

Organic Alberta is the housing organization for the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative. Within Alberta we represent and support Alberta`s entire organic industry, while across the Prairies we deliver programs, in partnership with other provincial partners, related to seed security and grain production. We serve all certified organic and transitioning producers and processors, as well as businesses across the value chain including but not limited to distribution, transportation, brokers and buyers, marketers, organic brands, certifiers, inputs, seed, feed, and retailers.

Role:

We are looking for a dynamic visionary who will provide oversight to the overall program, including the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security on the Prairies, while simultaneously managing portions of the program. You will report to the Executive Director of Organic Alberta and work closely with the steering committee to determine direction and balance as well as providing support to the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Promote internal communication and teamwork amongst a team that is located across the prairies.
Manage staff and contractors working on the Initiative programs and projects, and ensure all deliverables are met.
Manage the overall budget of the program, allocating resources as appropriate.
Manage the Optimization stream including working with various partners, organizations and companies across the prairies to meet the program objectives.
Maintain the partnership with USC Canada and The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security including overseeing regional seed related activities, ensuring they are locally relevant and that they contribute to building a cohesive national seed security effort. You will play a lead role in program development for the Prairie region and participate in monthly phone meetings as well as 2 in-person meetings per year of The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security.
Work with the Executive Director of Organic Alberta to ensure all deliverables in the partnership contract with USC Canada are met.

Required experience and qualifications:

A university degree and project management training, or equivalent experience.
A minimum of 7 years’ practical experience in program management and/or project management.
Demonstrated competencies in mentoring, coaching and advising staff, and capacity to develop and nurture partnerships, collaboration and team work.
Proven leadership experience including good judgement combined with vision.
The ability to balance operational issues with management priorities and risk concerns.
Agronomic experience and/or knowledge of organic production practices is an asset but not required.
Experience in the not for profit sector will be an asset.
Ability to travel and work some evenings and weekends.
An interest in organic food and agriculture is a must.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and competitive within the not for profit sector. This is a one year full time position with a possibility of extension up to three years.

TO APPLY:

Does this sound like your dream job? Are you ready to join an amazing team? Then we can’t wait to meet you!

Please send a detailed C.V., including a full cover letter telling us when you can start and a succinct (one page maximum) account of how to best build partnerships across a large, diverse industry (imagine a situation that includes parties whose interests may not always be fully aligned), to: Debbie Miller, Executive Office Manager, Organic Alberta Council: info@organicalberta.org. The position is open until filled.