Position: Communications Assistant AND a Research Analyst

Reporting to: Executive Director

Organization Status: Part-time (10-15 hours/week), 10 weeks

Compensation: $15.00 - $20.00/hr, commensurate with experience

Posted: Dec 10, 2019

Closing: Jan 10, 2021

Submit an application to: [email protected]

Who We Are

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) believes that any academically qualified student with the desire to pursue post-secondary education should not face a barrier, financial or otherwise, to obtaining that education. We are an alliance of 23 student associations from coast-to-coast, advocating that Canada’s post-secondary education system should be affordable, accessible, innovative, and of the highest quality.

Communications Assistant

Position Profile

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Assistant will support a variety of communications and engagement projects related to students and post-secondary education. The position will require the regular completion of writing and graphic projects for both internal and external audiences in both official languages. The Communications Assistant will also be expected to support CASA’s advocacy efforts. 

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills (written and oral) in both English and French
• Pursuing a post-secondary degree or certificate
• General understanding of government and politics in Canada
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to use the Mac OS, Google Drive
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Familiarity with and understanding of social media
• Proven ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Fluency in both official languages in considered as an asset

Asset Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro
• Graphic design, video editing, photography, or other multimedia content generation skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, and Mac OS
• Experience with website content management platforms (i.e. Wordpress and/or NationBuilder)
• Experience managing social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• An understanding of the role the federal government plays in post-secondary education
• Past involvement in student government and knowledge of how student governments operate
• An interest and understanding of Canadian politics

Responsibilities

Communications Writing and Social Media (70%)

• Assist in drafting of social media plans, and content, in support of the Communications and Public Relations Officer, in both official languages
• Assist in preparation of communications materials
• Provide communications support to CASA’s staff and membership
• Provide writing support for social media, public relations materials, presentations, government briefing packages, reports, and other CASA publications 

Office Maintenance (15%)

• Contribute to CASA’s organizational needs by supporting the renewal of templates and guides for presentations and graphics
• Help organize files and communications materials

Additional Responsibilities (15%)

• Participate in conference planning
• Participate in CASA’s communications and advocacy efforts
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director or Communications and Public Relations Officer

All applications to be submitted electronically by: January 10, 2021.

Interested candidates are asked to submit to [email protected], their: Cover letter, Resume, Draft/mock-up social media posts for twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, on a topic of your choosing, in both official languages. Maximum 2 pages.

Research Assistant

Position Profile:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Research Assistant will support a variety of research and government relations projects related to students and post-secondary education. The position will require the regular completion of research tasks and a variety of writing projects for both internal and external audiences. The intern will also be expected to support CASA’s advocacy and communications efforts. 

Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong research skills (qualitative and quantitative)
• Pursuing a post-secondary degree or certificate
• General understanding of government and politics in Canada 
• Ability to use the Mac OS, Google Drive
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Ability to follow instructions and see a task through to completion

Asset Skills and Qualifications:

• A strong background or relevant experience in the post-secondary education sector 
• Past involvement in student government and knowledge of how student governments operate
• Experience with the political process at the federal or provincial level
• Experience working on policy issues associated with equity-seeking groups
• Bilingualism in both official languages
• Experience with content management systems (CMS) such as Wordpress or NationBuilder

Responsibilities:

Research (70%)

• Gather, read, analyze, interpret, and synthesize topical post-secondary education research, studies, and policy documents
• Consult a diverse range of sources, critically examine content, and synthesize arguments 
• Provide research support to CASA’s staff and membership
• Provide research and writing support for government briefing packages, presentations, public relations materials, reports, and other CASA publications 

Office Maintenance (15%)

• Contribute to CASA’s resource base through the ongoing identification of useful and relevant PSE materials
• Help organize files and research materials

Additional Responsibilities (15%)

• Participate in conference planning
• Participate in CASA’s communications and advocacy efforts
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director

All applications to be submitted electronically by: January 10, 2021

Interested candidates are asked to submit to [email protected], their: Cover letter, Resume, Writing Sample, maximum 3 pages

Why Work at CASA?

• Complete exciting and meaningful work, alongside an inclusive and supportive team
• Make a real difference in post-secondary education in Canada and shape the organization for the better
• Meet important political figures in Ottawa as well as inspiring young leaders
• Flexible working culture
• Benefits & RRSP matching
• Convenient location in downtown Ottawa, close to public transportation and Parliament Hill
• Become part of CASA’s extensive alumni network based across Canada, and have access to this network for advice/historical knowledge as needed throughout your term

Interested candidates are asked to submit their resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to [email protected]. All responses will be handled in the strictest confidence; however, only those who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

CASA is committed to employment equity and diversity, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. This includes women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation, and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. CASA can offer accessibility accommodations throughout the recruitment process, as needed. If you have accommodation needs at any stage of the recruitment process, please inform us by sending an email to [email protected].