Strategic Advisor in Communications and Community Engagement

Title: Strategic Advisor in Communications and Community Engagement

Work Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Montreal, QC - with regular travel to Nunavik communities)

Employment Type: Temporary Full-Time (12 months renewable)

The Canadian Red Cross, one of the world's most reputable and inspiring non-profit organizations, provides assistance to people and communities in need in Canada and around the world, and empowers them to build resilience. As an organization recognized as one of the Top Employers in Canada in 2026, the CRC is committed to providing a workplace that is accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free.

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is a leading humanitarian organization working to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Canada and around the world. Guided by our core principles, we work in partnership with communities, governments, and Indigenous organizations to build resilience, support health, and respond to emergencies.

As part of a project with the Nunavik Regional Health and Social Services Agency and the regional health centers (CST and CSI), the Communications and Community Engagement Advisor will support the efforts of the Quebec Division of the Canadian Red Cross to strengthen prevention and response to tuberculosis in Nunavik.

This integrated role combines Communications and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA). The position reports to the Quebec Community Relations team while maintaining a close relationship with the Quebec and Francophone Communications team. The incumbent will work closely with the project team for tuberculosis response in Nunavik and within the operational guidelines established by the Emergency Health Division. They will also collaborate with other local stakeholders (community members, health personnel, and others) to support the development of communication and mobilization approaches that are clear, culturally relevant, and adapted to local realities.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Communication Strategy, Messaging, and Content (50%)

• Contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies aligned with project priorities.
• Create and adapt clear and culturally relevant messages.
• In collaboration with the various content experts from the emergency health teams, develop approaches that promote understanding of health information and informed decision-making.
• Produce communication materials for communities, donors, partners, media, and the Canadian Red Cross (stories, social media, audiovisual content, and press releases).
• Collect and share community stories.
• Coordinate media relations and support spokespeople.
• Strengthen engagement on social media and monitor trends and rumors.
• Ensure information environment monitoring and identify emerging issues.

2. Community Engagement and Accountability (50%)

• Provide specialized advisory support and contribute to the development of community engagement and accountability strategies.
• Maintain trustworthy two-way communication using culturally appropriate channels and strategies tailored to different groups.
• Promote inclusive community participation at all stages of the project.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of feedback mechanisms for communities.
• Support initiatives to combat misinformation and support informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with health professionals and the project team to ensure that communication and mobilization approaches accurately reflect technical guidelines while remaining accessible and culturally adapted.

3. Partnerships and Field Work

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of trust-based relationships with community leaders and identified partners.
• Participate in representing the CRC in communities.
• In collaboration with the Quebec emergency health team, coordinate with the Regional Agency, the Inuulitsivik Health Center, and the CRC teams at the initiative level of community engagement and communications.
• Provide operational field support.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability

• Contribute to the development of tracking tools and report preparation.
• Ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of projects, and contribute to the sharing of tools, best practices, and lessons learned within the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, procedures, and frameworks, including in Communications and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

5. Cross-Support and Deployment Capacity (Ad-Hoc)

• Support emergency interventions in Indigenous communities as needed.
• Assist the Quebec Communications team during peak situations.
• Contribute to communications and community engagement activities in Indigenous communities.
• Perform any other related tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or a combination of other fields of study and equivalent work experience.
• 5 to 8 years of experience in communications and community engagement.
• Experience working with the Inuit Nation and/or First Nations, and a demonstrated ability to work respectfully in collaboration with these nations.
• Experience in implementing community engagement approaches, including consultation, feedback mechanisms, and participatory processes.
• Experience in project management
• Experience in media relations and storytelling.
• Experience working in matrix or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in a humanitarian or community context is an asset.
• Proficiency in French and English (oral and written); Inuktitut is an important asset.
• Proficiency in digital tools and social media
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to build trust-based relationships
• Strategic thinking and adaptability
• Ability to turn feedback into concrete actions
• Influence capacity
• Collaboration and partnership building
• Accountability and results orientation
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusion
• Adaptability and resilience
• Integrity and professionalism

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel to Nunavik communities (a few days to a few weeks).
• Non-traditional working hours will be required during field deployments and emergency interventions, including evenings and weekends.
• Combination of remote work, office work, and work in communities.
• At equal qualifications, preference will be given to qualified Indigenous candidates.
• In certain circumstances, a person recognized as a member of a First Nation may be eligible for a tax exemption on their salary.
• Given that we provide services to communities and work with people (managers, colleagues, clients, volunteers, donors, and external partners) across Canada and the world, candidates whose first language is not English may need to use English in the performance of their duties.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: We invite all qualified individuals who can be employed in Canada to apply. Individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are encouraged to carefully examine their visa to determine if they are able to occupy the position for which they are applying. For more information, please consult our FAQ.

+ If your application is selected for this role, you will need to successfully complete the pre-selection process and submit to a thorough criminal record check.