January 2006

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Community Outreach/Communication Coordinator

January 28, 2006 in job postings by linda

NEW DEADLINE: APRIL 18, 2008

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Community Outreach/Communications Coordinator

Reporting relationships

Reports to: Executive Director.

· Supervise: Volunteers, co-op students, other contract staff as appropriate;

· Liaise with: Meso Program, Fundraising, Communication Committee, volunteers

and Program Committee of the Board of Directors.

Location: Cobourg, Ontario.

Probationary Period: 6 months

Term: Full-time staff position. Three year contract, renewable

upon successful completion.

Salary: $36,250 to $45,310 (plus benefits), commensurate

with experience.

Starting date: May 2008 (or as soon as possible)

Horizons of Friendship encourages minority applicants.

________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

Horizons of Friendship (Horizons) is a well-established international development organization based in Cobourg, Ontario. We support a broad range of community development initiatives in Central America and Mexico (Mesoamerica), with a focus on capacity building, gender, environment with emphasis in sharing experiences through our learning network.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Community Outreach/Communications Coordinator has a central role in informing Canadians about the organization’s programs and the wider issues that they address as well as building support for these programs through a variety of public engagement initiatives.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position develops and coordinates strategies and activities associated with Horizons’ Community Outreach/Communications Program. The program’s goal is to strengthen the constituency of Horizons in East Central Ontario – and potentially at a national level – by engaging Canadians, raising awareness of and building support for initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and injustice through cooperation of people from the North and the South, with a focus on the challenges facing the people of Mesoamerica.

Horizons’ current constituency includes youth, students of local high schools, community organizations including faith-based organizations, unions, service clubs, donors and others. Activities involve providing educational resources to Horizons’ Canadian constituency, with a focus on themes related to our work with Southern partners; fostering greater North-South contact through delegations and partner visits to Canada; managing communications activities including website materials and liaison with the media; and working strategically with key community leaders, community organizations and professional associations in order to mobilize support and reach new audiences.

The Community Outreach/Communications Coordinator position is an integral part of Horizons of Friendship and will work closely with the organization’s program and fundraising staff for maximum effectiveness in relations with a wide range of institutions, associations and constituencies.

Major Responsibilities:

Develop an overall strategy and carry out activities to raise awareness and mobilize a Canadian constituency in support of Horizons’ work in Mesoamerica, in accordance with the organization’s plan;

Cultivate Horizons’ existing constituency and build new strategic alliances;

Promote citizen participation to advocate for human rights and social justice through the provision of information sessions and workshops with youth and community members;

Organize events, campaigns, delegations to the Mesoamerican region, and Southern partner visits to Canada as part of program strategies;

Take a leadership role within Horizons communication committee; coordination of website, including translation of materials from Southern partners, and updates to the site, as well as other activities regarding media relations;

Contribute to newsletter, public presentations and other constituency-building activities;

Develop participatory evaluation tools that may be used by other program areas;

Research, create and deliver information on Horizons’ programs to a range of audiences, including preparation of reports and proposals;

Participate in team meetings, strategic planning and other organization-wide processes as required.

The successful candidate will bring the following qualifications:

Two years of previous relevant work experience;

Excellent written and verbal presentation skills;

Fluent English; Advanced Spanish, spoken and written;

Strong interpersonal skills;

An understanding of institution-building and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, as well as independently;

Awareness of community development and commitment to social justice issues;

Experience in adult education, community development and/or social marketing;

Experience working in a developing country; exposure to Central America and/or Mexico an asset;

Demonstrated ability to conceive and deliver process-driven awareness campaigns;

Experience networking and organizing with diverse groups;

Ability to create new approaches and evaluate program results;

Experience in the development of communications materials and in media relations;

Demonstrated skills in Website management; knowledge of HTML mark up or content management an asset; knowledge of standard computer programs;

Familiarity with CIDA’s requirements and RBM reporting is an asset.

Driver’s license.

Working conditions:Full time position;

Collegial, supportive atmosphere in small community-based office; high level of interaction with other groups and organizations in East Central Ontario;

Position includes work with program, fundraising and administrative teams, as well as various self-managed activities; program administration duties are included in this position;

Some evenings and weekends required; willingness and ability to travel overseas, travel in Canada also required;

Needs own transportation.

Proven administrative skills: organization of work, reporting, data management;

Familiarity with word processing, excel spreadsheets, e-mail, and internet in a Windows environment;

Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.

Cobourg is located approximately one hour east of Toronto, on the shore of Lake Ontario. A family community with a population of 18,000, it offers a beautiful sandy beach, quality educational opportunities and a host of recreational and cultural amenities.

Qualified candidates are invited to direct their applications to Patricia Rebolledo, Executive Director by April 18, 2008

Applications may be sent by mail, email, or fax: Horizons of Friendship 50 Covert Street, P. O. Box 402Cobourg, ON K9A 4L1 E-mail: info@horizons.ca

Fax: 905-372-7095

For more information on Horizons of Friendship, see our website at www.horizons.ca

We wish to thank all those who respond to this posting for their interest, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Fast for Friendship

January 17, 2006 in Events by admin

Horizons of Friendship and Local Youth join together to combat HIV/AIDS in Central America: Fast for Friendship

(Cobourg, ON) International Development Week is celebrated every year during the month of February to bring about greater understanding about poverty and injustice around the world. As part of the activities organized nation-wide, Horizons of Friendship; a local international development organization supporting communities in Central America and Mexico, is pleased to announce its latest educational and fundraising initiative – “The Fast for Friendship”.

The “Fast for Friendship” involves local high school students to raise money to support Hogar de la Esperanza, a shelter for people living with HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica. This shelter provides a caring home environment and treatment for 25 people as well as outreach assistance to over 250 people living in extreme poverty and affected by HIV/AIDS and drug dependency.

Teenage participants in this initiative will ask for financial pledges from community members and will take part in a collective 24-hour fast including an educational overnight gathering at Trinity United Church on Friday, February 10th.

The idea for this activity was proposed by high school students from the CDCI West Social Justice Club who approached Horizons of Friendship to organize the fast, following the successful experience of the first Fast for Friendship back in 2004. Kim McCrory member of the social justice club says: “We are a small group of globally-minded students who together have decided to create awareness of conflict issues in Canada and the world. This 24-hour fast will not only raise awareness about the hunger plight around the world, but will also raise money and awareness surrounding issues of HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica”.

Central American countries have the highest prevalence of HIV in all of Latin America with over I million people now living with HIV/AIDS. This pandemic is spreading rapidly particularly among youth, women, homosexual men and drug users. Poverty and lack of adequate health services make the plight of people living with HIV or AIDS extremely critical. Hogar de la Esperanza (Place of Hope Shelter) is making a huge difference for people like Gustavo, a 21-year old HIV+ youth who previously lived on the street. “I no longer feel alone, I feel like I’m part of a big family that cares about me. With the food, medication and good advice I now feel healthy and positive about myself for the first time in years.” Horizons aims to send $18,000 each year to Place of Hope Shelter operated by Humanitas Association in San Jose, Costa Rica.

All funds collected by the youth during the Fast for Friendship will be channeled to support the work of Hogar de la Esperanza. The Fast for Friendship is open to youth from Northumberland County between the ages of 14 to 18. Participants need to register by February 7th at Horizons of Friendship office in Cobourg.

Horizons of Friendship would like to invite the community at large to support Fast for Friendship participants by making a financial pledge when approached by a local youth. Individuals and business can also make a direct donation to Horizons of Friendship in support of their work to combat HIV/AIDS in Central America and Mexico.

For more information about how to participate in the Fast for Friendship, please contact Jessica Farias at (905) 372-5483 ext. 24, or if you wish to learn more about Horizons efforts to diminish the spread of HIV/AIDS in Central America, you can contact Rona Donefer at ext. 13 or by email rdonefer@horizons.ca

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Media Inquires

Jessica Farias
Community Outreach Coordinator
(905) 372-5483 ext. 24
jfarias@horizons.ca – www.horizons.ca
________________________________

Attention High School Students!

“Fast For Friendship”
February 10th-11th 2006

Raise money and awareness about the root causes of poverty and promote social justice in your community. Be part of a group fasting during International Development Week 2006.

What is the Fast for Friendship?
- Fast with peers for approximately 25 hours (water and juice products are permitted)
- Raise a minimum of $30 by asking people to sponsor you
- Be part of an overnight event discussing current world social justice issues & activities (including documentaries/videos, workshops, and music)
- Join in a pot luck celebration at the end of the fasting

Why fasting?
Fasting has been used for centuries as a discipline to achieve a new level of awareness and understanding. People like Gandhi used fasting to make statements of peace and non-violent resistance. It is considered a safe medical practice. We want to use fasting in a creative way to raise awareness and funds, while demonstrating our solidarity with people in the South who are facing many economic and political challenges. Join our campaign for justice by fasting with us.

Where is the money going?
All funds collected during the “Fast for Friendship” will go to support the Humanitas Association a partner of Horizons of Friendship in Costa Rica. Humanitas is an organization based in San Jose dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS and to diminish further spreading of the pandemic in Costa Rica. The money raised by our local youth will be channelled to support a Humanitas’ project Hogar Esperanza (“Place of Hope”) a shelter for people affected by HIV/AIDS and drug dependency, particularly those in conditions of extreme poverty. Horizons aims to send $18,000 each year for Humanitas’ work.

For more information please contact
Jessica (905) 372-5483 ext. 24
Email: jfarias@horizons.ca

Job Posting (Administrative/Finance)

January 3, 2006 in Articles by admin

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Administrative/Finance Coordinator

Organization: Horizons of Friendship
50 Covert Street, Cobourg, ON K9A 4L1

Reporting Relationships
· Reports to: Executive Director
· Supervises: Contract Bookkeeper, Thrift Shop staff.
· Liaises with: Administration, Thrift Shop, Fundraising, Meso and Community Outreach team, and Board of Directors.

· Location: Cobourg, Ontario.
· Probationary Period: 6 months.
· Term: 4 days per week, staff position, two-year contract, renewable upon successful completion.
· Salary: Salary range $ 30,848 – $38,560 commensurate with experience (plus benefits).
· Starting date: February 20th, 2006
· Apply by: January 27th, 2006

(Horizons of Friendship encourages minority applicants.)

INTRODUCTION

Horizons of Friendship is a Canadian non-profit, international development agency committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty and injustice through the cooperation of people from the South and the North.

Horizons of Friendship supports Central American and Mexican partner organizations that undertake local initiatives, which further this goal.
In Canada, we raise awareness on global issues and work with Canadian organizations at the local and national levels to bring about positive and lasting change.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Administrative/Finance Coordinator is responsible for the overall financial, budget and cash flow monitoring and reporting for the organization and ensures the smooth and efficient running of all organizational support functions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance
· Ensure that systems and reporting mechanisms are accurate, timely and efficient;
· Be responsible for payroll and benefit administration;
· Prepare monthly financial statements, budget comparisons and cash flow projections;
· Act as resource person to all teams for budgets and financial reports; for Mesoamerican team, provide detailed breakdown of cost-shared program with CIDA;
· Liaise with CIDA, particularly with regard to financial matters and institutional evaluations, including the preparation of yearly and quarterly financial reports to CIDA;
· Assist with donations processing in the absence of the Administrative Assistant or during peak work times;
· Supervise and coordinate contract bookkeeper’s work;
· Report to Board of Directors on the financial status of the institution as required.

Administration

· Ensure smooth and efficient running of all organizational support functions;
· Supervise Thrift Shop staff to ensure smooth running of shops and compliance with budgetary guidelines;
· Assist Executive Director in planning, procedures and documentation for annual cycle of performance reviews; update job descriptions and prepare annual contracts;
· Act as a resource person for the Executive Director on personnel and employment standards matters;
· Administer employee benefit plan;
· Ensure Administrative guidelines and manuals are complete and up- to- date and monitor their implementation;
· Coordinate logistics and financial implications of student placement program and office volunteers;
· With Administrative Assistant, jointly manage maintenance of property.

Institutional Collaboration

· Participate in monthly staff and administrative team meetings;
· With Executive Director, plan and implement annual cycle of strategic planning;
· Develop familiarity with Board procedures;
· Help meet Horizons’ objectives as expressed in its Statement of Purpose and Strategic Plans;
· Participate in the Board Human Resources Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Minimum three-years work experience in accounting, bookkeeping and office administration, preferably with a non-governmental organization;
· Experience in modern office systems/procedures;
· Familiarity with NewViews and Simply Accounting;
· Ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements and reports;
· Experience with computerized accounting in a Windows environment;
· Advanced computer skills in a network environment and with Windows, Word, Excel, Windows XP and various internet tools;
· Knowledge of not-for-profit accounting practices;
· Superior English skills, both written and oral;
· Accurate and detail-oriented with a high level of initiative;
· Excellent team, interpersonal and communication skills;
· Attitude and behaviour which show respect for different cultures;
· Commitment and understanding of social justice and international development;
· Eligible to work in Canada (permanent resident or Canadian citizen).

WORKING CONDITIONS

· 4 days per week, staff position;
· Collegial, supportive atmosphere in small community-based office;
· Ongoing interaction with all teams in the office;
· Occasional evening and weekend work required.

Cobourg is located approximately one hour east of Toronto on the shore of Lake Ontario. A family community with a population of 18,000, it offers a beautiful sandy beach, affordable housing, quality educational opportunities and a host of recreational and cultural amenities.

Qualified candidates are invited to direct their applications to
Patricia Rebolledo, Executive Director, by Friday, January 27, 2006.
Via e-mail: lrobertson@horizons.ca
Or via fax: 905-372-7095

For more information on Horizons of Friendship, see www.horizons.ca