Food Security Consultant, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House - Vancouver, BC

 

JOB SUMMARY 
Business Title:  Food Security Consultant
Company:  South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (SVNH)
Job Location:  Vancouver, BC
Job Posting Period: September 4 - 18, 2020
 

South Vancouver Neighbourhood House (SVNH) is a community-based organization that focuses on connecting people and strengthening the neighbourhoods in South Vancouver. Neighbourhood houses provide healthy places to live, work and play for residents of any age, from all walks of life. When you walk through the doors of SVNH, you find a unique and vibrant place where people can build their social connections by participating in wellness or cultural activities, or improve their personal capacity through volunteering, workshops, courses and employment counselling. The sense of belonging people develop at a neighbourhood house is enduring.

Food Security: South Vancouver, comprised of three neighbourhoods – Killarney, Victoria-Fraserview, Sunset – is a diverse area of approximately 100,000 people. A multicultural and multilingual area, South Vancouver is comprised of 80% visible minorities, 56% newcomers, and over 11% of the population with no English language knowledge. Transportation is limited and social isolation is a significant concern.

COVID-19 has revealed the high level of food insecurity and lack of food assets across South Vancouver – there are so few organizations working in the neighbourhoods across South Vancouver proportionate to the population, and people are struggling. There is a lack of food infrastructure supporting the community in South Vancouver, comprised of primarily racialized and newcomer households. Language and cultural barriers are substantial, which makes providing food supports that are community-driven even more challenging. A solution is needed, which addresses not only immediate emergency food insecurity experienced by community members, but also lead to improved food security and resiliency over the long-term.

It is our firm belief that people across the City of Vancouver should have access to the same quality of life, regardless of their culture, language, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, or status. Investments need to be made across the South Vancouver region to develop new culturally appropriate food assets, which will contribute to a strong, more resilient, and healthier community.

Project Description: SVNH has received funding from United Way of the Lower Mainland to explore a Local Love Food Hub and Spoke model in South Vancouver. We are looking for an expert consultant to work closely with SVNH’s Executive Director and team to determine the best approach to developing sustainable food security systems in the neighbourhood, including both emergency food supply and longer-term food resiliency building.

 
WORK PERFORMED 

• Create a framework for long-term food security assets across South Vancouver with a focus on access and equity.
• Identify a central food warehousing location in South Vancouver.
• Establish operational systems for food distribution including bulk ordering, registration, transportation and delivery, and centralized hamper preparation.
• Develop long-term urban food security plan identifying essential food assets required for Sunset, Victoria- Fraserview, Killarney to thrive (ex. Community kitchens, urban farms, community gardens, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Systems thinker with proven success in establishing new programs required.
• Previous experience working in food security required.
• Fluency in English is required; fluency in another language commonly spoken in South Vancouver (Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Punjabi) is highly preferred.
• Post-secondary education in a related discipline is an asset.
• Knowledge of community development principles is an asset.
• Previous experience with neighbourhood houses an asset.
• Knowledge of marketing and program promotion strategies an asset.
• Experience working directly with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with anti-oppression frameworks and strength-based approaches an asset.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please respond by letter of interest by 5 pm on September 18, 2020 to:

Zahra Esmail, Executive Director

South Vancouver Neighbourhood House 6470 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5P 3X7 Email: zahra.esmail@southvan.org

Letter should articulate a summary of previous experience, work plan, methodology, fees & budget, and two references.

Please note that at criminal record check must be successfully cleared.

The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC is an equal opportunity employer. We place a high value on diversity and encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds and identities to consider applying for the position.