Senior Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer (Ottawa)

Position Summary

The Senior Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer (Ottawa) is a senior leadership position within NCCM’s Government Affairs team, responsible for leading the organization’s federal government relations strategy and advancing NCCM’s national public policy agenda. Based in Ottawa, the Senior Officer will cultivate and manage relationships with Members of Parliament, Senators, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, political staff, senior public servants, and key national stakeholders.

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership, the Senior Officer will identify emerging policy opportunities, shape legislative and regulatory initiatives, and lead advocacy efforts to advance the rights, safety, and inclusion of Canadian Muslims. The position will play a central role in influencing public policy, combating Islamophobia, and ensuring Muslim communities have a strong voice in federal decision-making.

Department: GAPP

Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

– Develop and execute NCCM’s federal government relations and public policy strategy in alignment with organizational priorities.

– Serve as a senior advisor to the CEO and executive leadership on federal legislative, regulatory, and political developments.

– Identify emerging public policy issues and opportunities, recommending proactive advocacy strategies.

– Develop long-term engagement plans with federal decision-makers and institutions.

Federal Government Relations and Advocacy

– Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with Members of Parliament, Senators, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, political staff, senior officials, and federal departments.

– Represent NCCM in meetings with federal officials, parliamentary committees, consultations, and national policy forums.

– Lead NCCM’s engagement with Parliament on legislation, regulations, and federal policy initiatives.

– Coordinate advocacy campaigns related to federal priorities, including public safety, human rights, immigration, national security, online harms, anti-racism, foreign affairs, and justice.

– Facilitate opportunities for government officials to engage directly with Canadian Muslim communities and community leaders.

Public Policy Development

– Lead research and analysis on complex federal policy issues affecting Canadian Muslims.

– Draft and oversee the preparation of policy papers, legislative briefs, consultation submissions, committee testimony, and correspondence to the government.

– Monitor parliamentary proceedings, federal legislation, regulatory developments, and political trends to identify advocacy opportunities.

– Develop evidence-based policy recommendations that advance equity, inclusion, and human rights.

Stakeholder Engagement

– Build and maintain relationships with civil society organizations, advocacy coalitions, think tanks, academic institutions, and community partners.

– Coordinate cross-sector initiatives to advance shared policy objectives.

– Represent NCCM at conferences, roundtables, public events, and media engagements as required.

Organizational Leadership

– Work closely with NCCM’s communications, legal, and community engagement teams to ensure coordinated advocacy campaigns.

– Provide strategic leadership on national advocacy initiatives and public policy campaigns.

– Mentor junior government relations staff, interns, and volunteers, supporting their professional growth and policy development.

– Contribute to organizational planning, strategic priorities, and evaluation of advocacy outcomes.

Qualifications

– Minimum 7–10 years of experience in government relations, public policy, parliamentary affairs, political offices, public service, advocacy, or related fields.

– Extensive knowledge of the federal government, Parliament of Canada, cabinet processes, and federal policy development.

– Demonstrated experience engaging with elected officials, senior public servants, and national stakeholders.

– Exceptional policy analysis, research, and writing skills.

– Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.

– Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities.

– Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

– Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced advocacy environment.

– Commitment to advancing human rights, equity, and justice, with an understanding of issues affecting Canadian Muslim communities.

– Bilingualism (English and French) is considered a significant asset.

– Ability to travel periodically across Canada as required

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to Sign in to view email.

Indicate the position you are applying for in your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of September 1st, 2026.

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2024 IMPACT

1.2 million Canadians mobilized against Islamophobia. Between sending emails, calling officials, engaging in positive dialogue with local elected representatives, we engaged over 1.2 million members of our community to get involved.

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Elected officials engaged

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Interviews with media, shaping our narrative and telling our stories

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