Job Description

Malvern Family Resource Centre
90 Littles Road, Scarborough, ON M1B 5E2 Position: Future Farming Program Lead Facilitator
Department: Growing Together: Food Justice in Malvern About Us
Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is an essential and trusted Community Hub that connects, engages, and takes collaborative action in supporting our communities to thrive. We use our public spaces, and our deep and authentic connections, to bring people together with a focus on those that need us the most. Each year, MFRC provides impactful, holistic, and highly accessible programs and services to several thousand children, youth, families, women, newcomers, and seniors. Learn more at mfrc.org The Opportunity
MFRC is seeking a detail and results-oriented individual to oversee the development and operations of a TELUS Innovation Grant program, Future Farming: Climate Action, AgriTech, and Empowerment with Equity-Deserving Youth. Working with the Growing Together Food Justice Projects Coordinator the Future Farmer Program Lead\xe2\x80\x99s role will address three key focus areas: climate change mitigation awareness, youth leadership and employment, and food insecurity. MFRC will develop and pilot two distinct but complementary seasonal training programs for youth in urban agriculture: hydroponic micro-farming and small-scale market gardening.
Our comprehensive program is a combination of hands-on and self-directed web-based learning. Specifically, there will be distinct topics to each program:

• Hydroponic Micro-farm training curriculum will include smart technology systems operation, seed starting, seedling/plant maintenance, harvesting, sales/business planning
• Malvern Urban Farm training curriculum will include land preparation, infrastructure orientation and an introduction to market gardening

Both programs will empower youth to share knowledge with children in the community and build employable skills and experience.
This opportunity comes at a time of exciting change and transition at the Centre. Project Delivery:

• Work with partners and Food Justice Projects Coordinator to develop a curriculum and schedule for the Future Farming program
• Liaise with Farmer Advisory Committee, partners, community and government representatives to design and implement a sustainable social enterprise that the Future Farming participants will support
• Apply health and safety standards in the farm as stipulated by Toronto Public Health and other regulatory bodies
• Develop an outreach plan and recruitment strategy/criteria in consultation with Food Justice Projects Coordinator, Settlement & Youth teams to conduct marketing, communication and outreach activities for Future Farming program
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the outreach plan
• Coordinate the delivery of capacity building and knowledge exchange sessions for participants (i.e., transplanting, plant identification, watering etc.)
• Connect with Food Justice Projects Coordinator and partners to provide the group with ongoing developmental opportunities in leadership and food entrepreneurship
• Deliver eco-education lessons to the youth participants and community members at mixed sessions
• Provide support to the Food Justice Projects Coordinator & team on other growing-related activities occasionally
• Participates in planning and implementation of agency events, programs & initiatives.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Develop and review correspondence, forms and other documents and ensure they are stored in a secure location
• Co-ordinate schedule, space booking & permits required for programs, activities and events at farm site
• Purchase and ensure adequate supplies are available for the program in line with budgets and activities
• Ensure all initiatives are achieving and maintaining targets as set out by funders
• Write funding and other necessary reports as required by funders
• Ensure the implementation of agency policies and procedures
• Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in secure location

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Combination of education and experience related to urban agriculture, community development, social enterprise or other relevant fields
• Experience working with farmers/ food producers, residents, government representatives, service agencies and community stakeholders, and youth
• A good understanding of inner suburban food issues and familiarity with food growing practices
• Finance/business management experience is an asset
• Strong communication, interpersonal and conflict management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Commitment to non-discrimination practices within an anti-oppression framework
• Knowledge of additional languages is an asset (Tamil, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog or other highly spoken language in the community)
• Experience working with culturally diverse, intergenerational groups
• Valid Driver\xe2\x80\x99s License with access to a vehicle required

Hours/Contract Length:
This is a seasonal full-time, contract position at approximately 37.5 hours/week from March 2023 to December 2024 at $20/hr. This position requires a combination of office and outdoor work (at gardens and farm sites) and will require some travelling to different sites. Weekend and evening work required. Accountability:
Position will report to the Food Justice Projects Coordinator. Closing Date: Rolling until filled MFRC is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to becoming an anti- racist organization. Our goal is to attract and retain highly talented Black, Indigenous, and people of color from diverse backgrounds, allowing the Malvern community to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives that will shape our programs and services. Finally, figuring out where you want to work is a big decision and we want you to have the opportunity to do your due diligence. We will welcome questions during the recruitment process, you can also expect to talk to current staff about their employment experiences and check the references of your planned supervisor. If you do not have all the qualifications listed, but you think the job is perfect for you, we want to see your application. Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months Salary: $20.00 per hour Schedule:

• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
As a frontline multi-service agency, this position will require regular in-office presence. MFRC has an existing COVID-19 vaccine policy. All existing and new staff must be able to show proof of having at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Ability to commute/relocate:

• Scarborough, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location Expected start date: 2023-02-27