Associate Vice-President – Provincial & Federal Affairs

Role Overview

• Chair meetings of standing or ad-hoc committees on a regular basis
• Inform committee members of their responsibilities on the committee
• Inform committee members of meeting time, location, and where to find relevant information
• Report to the SRA and the Vice-President (Education) with regards to committee work
• Assist other MSU staffers as necessary in areas relevant to the Provincial & Federal Affairs portfolio
• Ensure minutes and meeting records are taken and submitted to the Administrative Assistants within two weeks of meetings
• Notify, in writing, members who are within one meeting of losing their committee seat
• Coordinate with the Advocacy Coordinator to obtain resources from internal and external vendors for projects and campaigns
• Prepare a detailed year-plan submission for the SRA with regards to committee work
• Maintain strong communication channels with the Vice-President (Education), the Education Department, and other relevant campus and community stakeholders
• Attend weekly Education Department meetings as set by the Vice-President (Education)
• Conduct policy research, review existing policy, and formulate policy solutions relating to current provincial and federal advocacy issues
• Advise the Vice-President (Education) on provincial and federal advocacy strategy
• Determine provincial and federal advocacy yearly priorities as described in year plan in collaboration with the Vice-President (Education)
• Manage the MSU’s relationships with some sector partners (e.g. politicians, student union partners)
• Assist Advocacy Coordinator with promotions as needed, such as developing promotion schedules and contacting clubs/MSU services to promote campaigns and events
• Advise the Vice-President (Education) and the Communications team on MSU public relations relating to provincial and federal advocacy issues
• Participate in lobbying efforts on matters relating to their area of responsibility
• Collaborate with community and campus partners on issues and projects that are relevant to the Municipal Affairs portfolio (Ex: student housing, community engagement, transit)
• Participate in communications with sector partners
• Act as a representative of the MSU in provincial and federal affairs with sector partners (Ex: Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, politicians)
• Recruit committee membership from a variety of sources in the undergraduate population
• Conduct student consultations to determine current student perspectives on provincial and federal issues

Requirements

• Understanding of the complexities of policy creation
• Strong research and critical thinking skills
• Ability to make reasoned and impartial decisions
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly and to moderate debate
• Ability to effectively chair meetings
• Strategic planning abilities
• Ability to carry out research projects from start to finish
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Knowledgeable in scope and focus of the standing committee, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and OUSA
• Knowledgeable of parliamentary procedure, MSU Constitution, Bylaws, and Policies, and the MSU legislative process

Benefits

• Access to shared work space in the MSU Committee Room