ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a motivated and qualified individual to join our team in a full-time, hybrid position as Program Coordinator for the Risk Education and Literacy (REaL) program, which is an initiative by the RISC Foundation, supported through NSERC’s PromoScience Grant designed to equip Canadian high-school students, with a focus on Black youth, with essential decision-making skills under risk and uncertianty. The program introduces students to risk literacy through interactive, hands-on all-year camps, with the innovative use of Virtual Reality (VR) and other digital tools to enhance learning experiences.
This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic individual looking to gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector and contribute to program coordination and growth as well as fundraising efforts, all aimed towards youth empowerment.
Work hours:
Full-time
Employment term:
One-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding and performance
Salary
$55,000 - $75,000 annually
Work mode:
Hybrid
Start date:
December 1, 2026
Applicants from underrepresented communities will be given strong consideration.
KEY DUTIES
- Take ownership of the day-to-day management of the REaL program, working with a high degree of independence to set priorities, coordinate schedules, communicate with participants and partners, manage logistics, and resolve operational issues.
- Develop and implement work plans, timelines, delivery processes, and performance targets to support the program’s effective operation and growth.
- Lead the expansion of REaL by identifying opportunities to deliver additional camps, enter new communities, develop new program themes, and establish scalable delivery models.
- Lead fundraising for the program, including identifying prospective funders and sponsors, developing funding proposals and grant applications, maintaining a fundraising pipeline, supporting funder reporting, and coordinating donor and sponsor stewardship.
- Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with schools, universities, community organizations, businesses, funders, and other prospective program partners.
- Work with the RISC Foundation’s legal team to develop, review, and finalize agreements required for program delivery, including partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, sponsorship agreements, service contracts, and vendor agreements. Track approvals, signatures, renewals, and contractual obligations.
- Plan and deliver REaL camps, events, podcasts, outreach initiatives, and other program activities from initial planning through completion.
- Coordinate program marketing with the RISC Foundation social media team, including promotional materials, recruitment campaigns, and community-engagement activities designed to increase awareness and participation.
- Maintain accurate program documentation, budgets, databases, participant records, partner information, fundraising records, and operational tracking systems.
- Maintain and update the REaL program pages on the RISC Foundation website, ensuring that camp information, registration details, partner acknowledgements, program results, opportunities, and other public content remain accurate, current, accessible, and consistent with the Foundation’s communications standards.
- Lead program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting by collecting and analyzing data, tracking outcomes, and preparing reports for management, funders, and partners.
- Coordinate the Honorary REaL Ambassadors team, including schedules, communications, participation tracking, weekly missions, and follow-up.
- Serve as the occasional VR Lead for REaL camps by preparing and managing equipment, supporting facilitators and participants, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring a safe and engaging experience.
- Work with Accounts Receivable to track invoices, confirm payments, follow up on outstanding balances, maintain accurate payment records, and reconcile program revenue from registrations, sponsorships, grants, and partner contributions.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- A university degree or college diploma in education, business administration, event management, communications, project management, fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
- At least three years of progressively responsible experience in program coordination, project management, or program delivery, preferably in the nonprofit, education, youth-programming, or community sector.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a program independently, establish priorities, develop work plans, meet deadlines, resolve operational issues, and manage several activities at the same time.
- Experience planning and delivering events, camps, workshops, meetings, or other educational and community-engagement activities.
- Demonstrated fundraising experience, including prospect research, grant applications, sponsorship proposals, funder communications, and maintaining a fundraising pipeline.
- Experience developing and managing relationships with schools, universities, community organizations, businesses, funders, or other program partners.
- Experience coordinating agreements with legal or administrative teams, including gathering requirements, managing revisions and approvals, tracking signatures, and monitoring renewal dates and contractual obligations.
- Experience working with Accounts Receivable or finance staff to issue and track invoices, monitor payments, follow up on outstanding balances, and maintain accurate financial records.
- Experience maintaining program records, databases, budgets, performance measures, and reporting systems.
- Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and report program data for management, funders, and partners.
- Experience updating website content through a content management system and ensuring that public information is accurate, current, and accessible.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional proposals, reports, presentations, correspondence, and promotional content.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, scheduling and project-management tools, online meeting platforms, and basic database systems.
- Strong organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, work with limited supervision, and remain composed when managing competing priorities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Experience coordinating programs for high-school students or working in youth education, experiential learning, or community-based programming.
- Experience working with Black youth, equity-seeking communities, or organizations committed to inclusive program delivery.
- Experience expanding a program into new communities, developing repeatable delivery processes, or increasing participation and revenue.
- Experience administering grant-funded programs and meeting funder reporting requirements.
- Experience with virtual reality equipment, including Meta Quest or similar systems, and the ability to set up and troubleshoot VR activities.
- Familiarity with website platforms such as WordPress and communications tools such as Canva, social media platforms, Zoom, and recording software.
- Experience coordinating volunteers, ambassadors, instructors, facilitators, or other program representatives.
- Knowledge of risk management, insurance, financial literacy, cybersecurity, climate risk, or related educational topics.