Job Description
Reporting to the CEO, the Senior Manager, Policy and Strategic Relations leads EHW’s policy intelligence, research, and strategic relations functions. The role strengthens EHW’s ability to anticipate, understand, and influence government decision-making related to homelessness and housing. This position generates the research, analysis, and strategic insights that inform EHW’s education and advocacy, funding strategies, system-level responses and monitors policy, strategy, legislation, funding, and public discourse across all orders of government translating complex information into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives. The role includes active engagement with Indigenous organizations and sector partners to ensure policy analysis and advocacy are grounded in lived experience and Indigenous perspectives.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Monitor and analyze government policies, strategies, legislation, and funding related to homelessness and housing
- Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities to inform organizational strategy and decision-making
- Conduct research, jurisdictional scans, and data analysis to support education, advocacy and system planning
- Prepare briefing notes, reports, and policy analyses that translate complex information into clear recommendations
- Lead Access to Information (ATI) and Freedom of Information (FOI/FIPPA) requests and integrate findings with other data sources
- Track national developments in homelessness and housing to identify trends and best practices
- Build and maintain relationships with governments, funders, Indigenous organizations, and sector partners
- Support strategic engagement and advocacy by identifying opportunities to influence policy, strategy, funding, and legislation
- Represent EHW in external forums, committees, and working groups as required
- Identify funding opportunities and support or lead proposal development
- Produce high-quality written materials (e.g., reports, submissions, briefing notes) to support advocacy and public positioning
- Provide policy insights, environmental scans, and recommendations to help inform strategic initiatives
- Ensure alignment between policy analysis, advocacy, and organizational messaging
- Participate in the hiring, supervising, and evaluation of staff
- In collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, manage and administer budgets
- Provide regular briefings and strategic updates to the CEO and Senior Directors
Candidates should also possess the following qualifications or an equivalent combination of education and related experience:
- As an Indigenous organization, and given the overrepresentation of Indigenous people among those experiencing houselessness, demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with Indigenous communities, cultures, histories, and ways of knowing is required
- Post-secondary degree in a related field (e.g., public policy, political science, economics, sociology, urban studies, journalism, or law); a graduate degree is an asset
- Experience in policy analysis, research, and government relations, preferably in housing, homelessness, or social policy
- Strong understanding of government systems and decision-making processes at municipal, provincial, and federal levels
- Experience conducting research, analyzing data, and synthesizing findings into actionable insights
- Experience preparing ATI and/or FOI/FIPPA requests and working with administrative data
- Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear reports, briefings, and funding proposals
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Experience monitoring media and emerging issues to inform strategy
- Strong political acumen and the ability to manage confidential, controversial, or politically sensitive information in an appropriate manner
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage, monitor, supervise, and evaluate direct reports
- Experience working with budgets
- Knowledge of homelessness, housing systems, and the broader social policy landscape in Canada
- Strong relationship-building skills, particularly with Indigenous organizations and sector partners
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences
- Experience in proposal writing is an asset
- A valid MB driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle