Job Description

Terms of Employment:

Start Date:

November 2025

Location:

Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Reports to:

Program Manager

Hourly Wage:

$31.50/hr

Hours:

35 hours/week (Mon-Fri, with some evening & weekend work required)

Deadline for Application:

October 26th, 2025

To apply

, please send a cover letter and resume in

one document

to ?human.resources@nourishns.ca?referencing the position title in the subject line.

Application deadline is on or before October 26th, 2025 at 5pm.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About the Role:

The Youth Engagement Coordinator will play a vital role in recruiting, mentoring, and supporting young people to lead and shape community-based food initiatives through our Youth Food Leaders program and other related efforts. This position emphasizes engaging youth in hands-on learning, leadership development, and action focused on food systems, food justice, and community food sovereignty.

Working closely with--and supported by--the Youth and Community Food Coordinator and Program Manager, the Youth Engagement Coordinator will recruit youth leaders and mentor them to co-create and lead food programs that reflect their perspectives, experiences, and values. Through a blend of mentorship, facilitation, and program coordination, the coordinator will guide youth in developing practical skills in food preparation, growing, facilitation, and program planning, while fostering a deeper understanding of the social and environmental impacts of food systems.

In addition, the Youth Engagement Coordinator will help design and deliver initiatives that empower youth across Nova Scotia to engage in positive food systems action. Serving as a bridge to the broader food justice movement, they will amplify youth voices, support advocacy efforts, and champion youth leadership within Nourish Nova Scotia's programs. Through mentorship and meaningful connection, they will nurture diverse youth leaders who are working to transform local food systems toward a more just and sustainable future.

This role will create spaces where youth feel empowered, informed, and inspired to lead change in how their communities grow, share, and think about food.

About You:

You are an engaging youth programmer with experience in designing and delivering food-based activities that promote wellness and foster social and environmental connections. You are motivated by building strong, trusting relationships with youth and by supporting them in exploring their connections to food, culture, land, and community through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

You excel at creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for youth and enjoy facilitating collaborative environments that encourage peer-to-peer learning and skill-building. Highly organized and a strong communicator, you thrive on taking on a variety of tasks in your day-to-day work. You consistently take initiative and follow through, even when faced with challenges or imperfect conditions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Youth Outreach, Mentorship, and Leadership Development

Develop and implement outreach strategies to recruit diverse youth participants for Nourish Nova Scotia's Youth Food Leaders program. Lead the development of learning materials and activities for annual cohorts of youth participating in the Youth Food Leaders' program, supporting them to: Develop a deeper understanding of food systems, food justice, and food sovereignty. Deliver and/or coordinate hands-on food skills workshops for youth in areas such as food preparation, nutrition, food safety, sustainability, and food justice. This may also include hosting community meals or other activities designed by the youth. Provide ongoing mentorship and leadership support to youth, supporting them to build confidence, food literacy, and facilitation skills. Create inclusive, youth-centered spaces where young people feel safe, respected, and empowered to share their ideas and take initiative. Support the coordination and delivery of an annual youth gathering where participants come together to share experiences, celebrate successes, and learn from one another.

Program Coordination, Facilitation, and Collaboration

Provide logistical and administrative support for program design and delivery (i.e., scheduling, supplies, budgeting, etc.), making use of technology and tools that support collaboration (ie, Spreadsheets, Google Docs & Forms, etc.). Work with Nourish team members to identify and support opportunities for enhanced youth engagement across program areas. Develop and implement a range of outreach strategies to connect diverse youth with Nourish Nova Scotia's work. This may include creating new pathways for youth to shape ongoing events & activities or contribute their ideas and/or time to youth-led food initiatives. Collaborate with community partners, organizations, and/or Nourish Nova Scotia team members to create opportunities for youth to engage in food systems work and share their voice. Contribute to the regular maintenance and updating of community contact lists and ensure consistent communication with relevant partners. Support general communications activities to help ensure relevant and meaningful engagement opportunities for diverse youth.

General Administration and Organizational Support

Based on ongoing connection with the Nourish Nova Scotia team and partners, develop and manage a work plan that can help to guide priorities and timelines as they unfold. Contribute to funder reporting as needed. Contribute to team learning initiatives and support organizational planning processes, as appropriate. Support fundraising efforts to extend or expand this role and Nourish Nova Scotia's youth engagement work. Participate in ongoing tracking and data collection related to impact measurement, evaluation, and story-sharing.

Essential Skills & Experience:

Minimum of 2 years of program coordination experience within community-based or non-profit organizations. Post-secondary degree in a relevant field such as food systems, food justice, sustainability, nutrition, health promotion, or equivalent experience. Demonstrated experience working with youth, including: Developing and implementing youth engagement and mentorship strategies. Facilitating knowledge sharing and skills-building activities. Applying research and best practices in youth programming and engagement. Strong active listening skills and highly developed written and oral communication abilities that reflect empathy, curiosity, and openness. Valid Driver's License and reliable access to a vehicle. Demonstrated experience in: Designing and delivering food-based workshops and learning materials for youth. Leading and facilitating food literacy programming with a focus on community and youth empowerment. Proficiency in software applications, including Microsoft Office 365 and Google Suite. Must provide a Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Abuse Register Search prior to hiring.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $31.50 per hour

Work Location: In person