The Stop Community Food Centre
Job Description
Community Programs Manager


ABOUT THE STOP


The Stop Community Food Centre’s mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community, and challenges inequality. From its origins 40+ years ago as one of Canada's first food banks, The Stop has since grown into a vibrant community centre that uses food as a gateway to addressing many issues, including poverty, the environment, social isolation, and health in one of Toronto’s lowest-income neighbourhoods. The Stop is accredited by Imagine Canada for excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency, and governance.


THE OPPORTUNITY:


Reporting to the Director of Programs and Evaluation, the Community Programs Manager is an integral part of The Stop's management team and is responsible for the management of our community programs at 1884 Davenport and Wychwood Open Doors, including Healthy Beginnings, Community Kitchens, and the Community Advocacy Program. The Stop’s community programming focuses on improving maternal and newborn health; supporting skill development and access to culturally relevant meals through Sabor Latino, Cozy Kitchens and Men’s Cooking; and a peer-supported walk-in Advocacy Office that provides information, referrals, one-on-one supports and short-term case management on issues related to housing and social assistance. The ideal candidate will have a background managing front-line social service delivery, have strong program leadership experience and be excited about evaluating meaningful outcomes. We are looking for an experienced manager who shares our commitment to community, food security, and social justice.


KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
As part of The Stop’s management team, the successful candidate will:

• Works with our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to maintain and monitor adherence of Health and Safety protocols, Remote Work Policies, and any other applicable policies
• Monitor compliance and continue to develop and update all operating procedures in our programing and operating spaces (e.g., 1884 Davenport and Wychwood Open Doors);
• Along with Manager of Human Resources and/or Director of Programs and Evaluation, hire, train, coach, and supervise new staff, including seasonal student workers, relief staff, and Indigenous work-programs’ trainees;
• Comfortable and able to implement disciplinary procedures and conflict resolution within the existing agency policies and collective agreement;
• Proficient in managing corrective actions and resolving conflicts in accordance with agency policies and the collective agreement;
• Work closely with Director of Programs and Evaluation to carry out yearly impact evaluation plans;
• Work collaboratively to ensure effective program and service delivery, and communication between teams and sites;
• Strategic outreach to prioritize partnerships with community organizations, community stakeholders, and grassroots groups representing Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities;
• Ability to work with existing community partners
• Lead, motivate, and support our diverse program staff in the development and delivery of programs;
• Manage administrative, human resources, and program oversight;
• In collaboration with the fundraising team, assist with relevant funding proposals;
• Develop and monitor yearly budgets, and provide input to overall agency budget in collaboration with the finance and fundraising departments;

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:


Program Planning and Implementation

• Oversee program planning, development, and implementation with staff, including setting and achieving yearly targets;
• Work with program staff to ensure that all programs reflect the agency’s mission
• Work with program staff to ensure that programs are effective and set and achieve targets
• Work with program staff on the development and planning of new program initiatives that are innovative, creative and respond to community needs
• Contribute to the development of a program evaluation strategy and ensure that all supporting tracking, documentation and other evaluation activities are carried out
• Liaise with Green Barn Manager, Community Services Manager and staff to ensure that synergies, connections and communication are maintained
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency policies and procedures that ensure a safe, welcoming and democratic environment
• Participate in the development of advocacy initiatives that support social justice for The Stop community
• Ensure that program teams meet regularly
• Promote and pursue partnerships with local agencies and community groups that support programs under supervision
• Keep abreast of relevant trends, policies and the social service landscape
• Provide regular program updates to the Director of Programs and Evaluation

Frontline Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day functioning of the Community Advocacy Program, Healthy Beginnings and Community Kitchens teams.
  
• Coordinate team case conferencing, incident debriefing and impact debriefing.
• Identify and work to mitigate risks and operational challenges.
• Responsible for monitoring and ensuring provision of high-quality, competent, community-member centered programming, delivered in an ethical and professional manner.
• Collaborates with Director of Programs and Evaluation and team members to address areas of concern and/or identify professional development needs.
• Coordinates with assigned employees to develop work schedule based around varying staff schedules.

Administration

• Work with program staff to set funding priorities
• Work with fundraising team to pursue grants and funds to support programs
• Carry out or coordinate submission of grants and funding proposals
• Coordinate the writing and submission of documentation and reports
• Contribute to communications strategy for programs
• Develop positive relationships with funders and project partners
• Co-ordinate the development of program budgets and monitor program spending
• Work with administrative staff to ensure that building operations run smoothly at 1884 Davenport and Wychwood Open Doors

Human Resource Management:

• Coordinate and participate in hiring of program staff
• Conduct monthly supervision and annual performance reviews
• Ensure that staff carry out job descriptions and implement progressive discipline when appropriate
• Ensure that all program staff are familiar with and adhere to The Stop’s operating principles and policies
• Assess training needs and provide internal and external training opportunities
• Ensure that staff work time (hours, lieu time, vacation, sick days) is monitored and stays within the prescribed parameters
• Facilitate resolution of problems, issues and concerns in programs and between members of staff team
• Work with staff to ensure community members behave in safe, respectful ways, intervening when necessary to enforce Stop policies

Organizational:

• Participate in development of organizational strategy and planning
• Participate in organizational committees
• Participate in meetings of Board of Directors as needed

General:

• Ensure that programming aligns with The Stop’s policies and procedures (e.g. Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment, Healthy Food Philosophy, Strategic Objectives, etc.).
• Attend monthly all-staff and other meetings related to job description, as required.
• Participate in broader planning and team building activities at the agency
• Work within the team of Stop staff, board, and volunteers.
• Maintain administrative records, as required.
• Participate in training opportunities, as requested.
• Maintain knowledge of existing agency and program policies and procedures and implement them consistently.
• Participate in the development of new organizational policies and procedures, as required.
• Represent The Stop constructively when engaging with the public, other organizations and media.
• Ability to work irregular hours as needed, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Maintain constructive communication with other staff at The Stop and local agencies
• Contribute to writing program reports and funding proposals and identify potential funding
• Participate in broader planning and team building activities at the agency

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Master’s degree or higher in Counselling, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience management experience, preferably in the community services sector
• Extensive staff supervision experience, particularly multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience with program design and evaluation implementation
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (ESA, Occupational Health and Safety Act, AODA)

• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders such as community organizations, and government entities, etc. through effective communication
• Experience supervising staff within a Unionized environment is an asset
• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and adhere to deadlines
• Experience working with diverse community members
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Ability to work in Microsoft Office suite
• Experience in multi-site organizations especially beneficial
• Passionate and knowledgeable of issues related to poverty, social justice, food justice, community development, food security, and Indigenous land sovereignty
• Certification in non-violent crisis intervention or CPI and First Aid are assets

The Stop is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. If you identify as a person with disability and require any specific accommodations during the hiring process, please let us know in advance along with your application. The Stop is committed to providing ongoing training and supports to ensure success in this role.