SCM General Secretary: Job Description

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Work location: SCM National office, Toronto, Ontario
Term of Contract: 2 years, beginning September 2010, with a possibility of renewal at the end of the second year
Salary: $ 27,289.60 plus health/wellness benefit plan.
Work Week: 32 hours per week plus 4 weeks holidays

The SCM or Student Christian Movement is a progressive student movement engaged in social justice and spirituality. We are a non-dogmatic community of diverse belief systems where friendship, critical thinking and political action flourish. Since 1921, students have led the SCM in exploring and challenging the Christian tradition and its meaning in society and culture. We welcome people of all faith backgrounds and celebrate the paradox of unity in diversity!

The SCM is now searching for a second General Secretary for a two-year contract. The successful applicant will work as a team with the present General Secretary, managing SCM’s grassroots work at both the national and regional levels. The General Secretaries will support the life and work of the SCM, especially its local units, national committees, and national programs. They will be accountable to the Board of Directors and the General Council of the SCM and are responsible for the implementation of decisions made by both these bodies.

The following job description incorporates the responsibilities of both general secretaries who compose the team working out of the Toronto office. Division of tasks and responsibilities will be negotiated between the general secretaries in consultation with the Personnel Committee and according to the expertise and qualifications of each person.

Qualifications:

• A good grasp of the SCM’s ministry and “raison d’être”
• Understanding of the political and theological orientation of the movement, including its anti-oppression work (e.g., anti-racism, anti-heterosexism and anti-sexism)
• Experience or exposure to the SCM’s work on a national or regional level and/or experience in an organisation with similar objectives
• Adequate understanding of the Christian Churches in Canada; appreciation of the wider ecumenical movement in Canada and internationally is an asset.
• Ability to interpret the work and vision of the SCM to churches and ecumenical bodies and relevant organisations
• Passionate about empowering students and encouraging leadership
• Commitment to working in an anti-oppressive framework
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience
• Inter-faith experience is an asset.

Skills
Good administrative computer skills, including word processing, email, internet, basic publication and layout, database management.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including conflict resolution
Ability to work independently and in a team
Experience in community building, especially in faith-based settings
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize day to day activities

Tasks and Responsibilities

a. Support to Programs:
Empower students to organise national programs as mandated by General Council
Provide support to national programs, such as international solidarity, national conferences, local unit training, and pilgrimage
Facilitate the use of anti-oppression framework in all programs, including full participation in the Safe Communities Committee
Provide support and editorial oversight to national publications such as All Things New, Epistle journals and the web site www.scmcanada.org
Oversee program finances and implement program budgets
Liaise with and support the contractual workers funded by outside grants, e.g. Queer Youth Fund

• b. Support Regional and National Communication:*
  Enable movement building and provide support to local organisers through regular visits and communications
  Provide administrative organisation of General Council, Board of Directors and other meetings
  Provide support to General Council, Board of Directors and committees
  Moderate the national e-mail list and the board of directors e-mail list
  Ensure that local, regional and national information is being shared through e-mail, phone and other forms of communication
  Develop and maintain relationships with SCM alumni, keeping them abreast of the activities and events of the SCM through annual mail-outs
  Administer the scmcanada.org web site and provide support and facilitate student participation on site

c. International Communications:
Provide communication and support to the World Student Christian Federation, including WSCF-Canada
Attend WSCF meetings as necessary
Work cooperatively with the North American Region and Canada’s (NARC) regional committee and the Canadian rep to the WSCF Executive Committee (ExCo)
Maintain liaison with the SCM-USA
Stimulate and facilitate the articulation of global analysis and theology for Canadian students, as well as the development of new strategies aimed at making the SCM’s work more effective and relevant at local, national and global levels

d. Finance and Fundraising:
Consult on the annual budget in collaboration with Treasurer and Chair of finance and fundraising desk
In conjunction with the Treasurer, oversee finances of the SCM including bookkeeping, banking, auditing and receipting donations
Research and write grant proposals in conjunction with SCM members for SCM programs and the general budget as well as initiate thinking and conceptualisation of fundraising strategies with local staff
Assist the development of a long-term fundraising strategy in conjunction with Fundraising Working Group & the endowment committee
Oversee the compilation of a list of foundations for potential grants with the help of endowment committee
Facilitate and solicit grants, property, and money from SCM friends, alumni and churches through various means
Build and renew the list of Senior friends
Provide support/training to local units in their fundraising efforts
Maintain a pre-authorized remittance system

e. Team Building
Negotiate an annual division of tasks and responsibilities
Allot time and resources for team building experiences and retreats, e.g., workshops on communications, work-style behaviour

f. Contact with National Churches and Organisations:
Develop and maintain relationships with youth and campus ministries, ecumenical coalitions and organisations that have objectives in common with the SCM
Develop and maintain contact with local, regional and national church bodies
Interpret SCM’s work and visions to churches, ecumenical bodies and other similar organisations

g. Office management:
Ensure administration of the national office including mail-outs, correspondence, database management and filing