Position: Communications & Fundraising Manager

Location: All work to be completed remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis*

About Riparia
Riparia is Canada’s first female-led and female-focused organization that connects youth with fresh waters by providing free week-long trips on Canadian rivers and lakes to youth traditionally under-represented in the sciences. Our aim is to steward a love for learning and fresh waters in the next generation, creating science ambassadors across disciplines. Riparia expeditions and the learning modules delivered on-trip are designed to align with provincial curricula for students in grades 9-12 and work to enhance science and freshwater literacy by providing hands-on learning activities carried out in the real world. Riparia creates space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn collaboratively about the many ways we can come to know the natural world, embracing multiple ways of knowing and learning.

 

About the Role 

As Communications & Fundraising Manager, you will join a small team working to promote youth engagement in freshwater science across Canada. Reporting directly to Co-founders Dr. Andrea Reid, Dr. Dalal Hanna and Mikayla Wujec you will work closely with the Riparia team including Program Coordinators, Interns, etc. and external partners aligned with our mission and programming. You will be accountable for the financial health of the organization including budgeting and critical fundraising efforts across Government programs, large individual and corporate donors, and other partnerships. This will be carried out in alignment with our accounting and bookkeeping personnel, as required. You will also strategically direct and implement communications about our work to convey our activities and raise awareness of our organization and programming. Finally, you will implement key administrative leadership as we build and optimize the organization’s financial and administrative processes.

 

• Pay Rate: $30-36/hr (depending on experience).

• Role Details: Part-time but details to be finalized with the candidate. Position could range from 10-20 hr/week and 4-6 months with extension pending funding.

• Hours of Work: Variable depending on project, typically within the window of Monday to Friday, 9-5pm. Can be structured with candidates' schedules (e.g. two days a week, etc.). 

• Work Location: Online (home office-based).

• Languages: English mandatory, French is an asset 

• Anticipated Start Date: Negotiable but prefer mid/end of February 2022.

 

*This position will be completed remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis, and will implement various methods of effectively managing the employee through electronic means (e.g., e-communication, telephone, online file storage systems). We will preferentially select candidates based out of Montreal if all other qualifications are equal. 
 

Key Accountabilities of the Role:
 

• Financial Management:

  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and best practices for non-profit organizations.

  • Maintain and continuously improve efficiency of finance and accounting procedures, ensuring that relevant policies are followed, and controls are effective while working with Riparia’s bookkeeper and accountant.

  • In collaboration with Co-founders, prepare an annual operating budget for Riparia programming. 

  • Support Riparia team with any financial requirements necessary for successfully delivering the Riparia programs and events.

  • Closely manage and report on cash flow with Riparia bookkeeper. 

  • Prepare relevant financial reports for funders, Board of Directors and other bodies. 

  • Proficiently manage our financial tools, including Quickbooks, Google Sheets and more.
     

• Fundraising:

  • Develop digital fundraising strategies and engagement initiatives to acquire, renew and retain donors.

  • Direct communication with donors and prospects.

  • Assist in the planning and execution of digital fundraising campaigns through activities including content research, writing, editing, and      project management in collaboration with Riparia team. 

  • Understand fundraising best practices and apply them in innovative ways to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift         donors.

  • Assist with donor-related events, pledge drives and other duties as assigned.

 

• Communications:

  • Lead the development and regular review of Riparia’s Communications Strategy in collaboration with relevant team members.

  • Oversee the development, writing, editing, design, layout, production, and mailing & distribution of various communications and outreach projects, including the Riparia newsletter. 

  • Manage Riparia website and work collaboratively with staff to regularly update the content and ensure that the website effectively         highlights Riparia’s campaigns, educational programs, and services.

  • Employ and manage social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) where relevant to meet Riparia’s goals.
     

• Management & Administration

  • Ensure Riparia’s emails are forwarded to the appropriate staff to address

  • Ensure Riparia’s organizational paperwork are kept in good order and up-to-date. 

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CORE KNOWLEDGE + SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE: 

• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for the vision, mission, and values of Riparia.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and deliver quality results in a timely manner 

• Demonstrated ability to fundraise. 

• Demonstrated experience in a non-profit/charitable organization setting.

• Experience preparing and managing budgets. 

• Experience managing relevant administrative tasks within an organization. 

• Experience with communication and outreach projects. 

• Experience implementing systems, policies, and protocols to strengthen and optimize internal processes.

• Solid understanding of project management principles (developing work plans, managing budgets, identifying and managing risks, etc.).

• Ability to set priorities, complete work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.

• Strength in managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, and empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility.

• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate ideas and actions to people at all levels in an organization.

• Demonstrated ability to be an analytical and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals.

• Strong background in environmental issues is an asset.

• You are a problem solver who is adaptable, resourceful, and entrepreneurial.

• Proficiency with Riparia tech stack including; Wix, Quickbooks, Slack, Google Drive, Excel. 

• Preferred qualification: Bilingual (English and French)
  
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To apply: 

 

If interested in joining the Riparia team in this role we’d greatly appreciate the following application package:

1. Cover Letter no longer than one page that responds to the following three questions: 

• Why are you passionate about the mission of Riparia and what is your favourite book?

• What experience do you have with fundraising and financial management with organizations? 

• What experience do you have with communication and outreach projects or  managing relevant administrative tasks within an organization?

 

2. Most recent CV.
 

Please send the application package as ONE PDF FILE with the subject line: First Name Last Name - Communication and Fundraising Manager Application. Applicants who do not follow these instructions will not be reviewed. 

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Application Deadline: Friday, January 28th at 12:00pm EST. 
 

Equity and diversity are essential to organizational excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented, actively suppressed, and/or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Canadian Human Rights Act, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person