Program Director, Spirited Citizenship

About Cardus

Cardus is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.

Drawing on 2,000 years of Christian social thought, we bring credible public research to bear on concrete needs. We place particular emphasis on the role of civil society, which is composed of the mediating institutions that lie between the individual and the state, such as the family, the school, labour unions, and faith congregations.

Cardus is strongly team-oriented and entrepreneurial, with a culture that emphasizes hospitality, hopefulness, creativity, and constructive discussion. Our staff are skilled and knowledgeable people who love working together to further the Cardus mission.

Learn more at www.cardus.ca.

About the Spirited Citizenship Program

This program focuses on the ways in which Canadians work together to strengthen our shared social fabric. The program has three themes. The first theme is the charitable sector. We study the changing dynamics of charitable giving and charitable organizations in Canadian society, which have a critical role to play alongside government social programs. We seek to promote a flourishing charitable sector. Examples of our work include “Politicization of Charitable Status” and “Vulnerable Sector Check Costs Remains a Barrier for Volunteers.”

The second theme is how faith communities are embedded in and active contributors to our common life in Canada. Examples of our work on this theme include “Why Religious Tax Exemptions Benefit All Canadians” and the Halo Project.

The third theme is freedom of religion and conscience. This freedom is foundational to our democracy and way of life and is a fundamental freedom in Canada’s Constitution. We conduct research and offer policy recommendations to decision-makers about how to advance understanding, protection, and promotion of this freedom. Examples include “An Institutional History of Religious Freedom in Canada” and “Conflicting Rights? Balancing Equality and Fundamental Freedoms.”

Who We Are Looking For

You are a university graduate who thrives in an atmosphere of ideas, data, and discussion about important issues affecting society. You have a genuine interest in the themes of the Spirited Citizenship program and the trends and challenges affecting Canadian society more generally. You want to contribute to developing constructive options to address these challenges.

You are skilled in social science research, clear communication, and rigorous argument. You are charitable and fair minded, able to value multiple points of view for what they contribute to understanding the matter under consideration. You are careful and motivated in your work. You have the political sensitivity needed to understand how research and policy will be received and can be marketed to target audiences. You have the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to successfully identify and develop opportunities for greater reach and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Program leadership. Develops and promotes the vision and scope of the program within the Cardus mission and priorities.
• Research & policy. Develops and implements the program’s research trajectory. Researches and writes reports, briefs, and op-eds. Collects and analyses data according to standard methodologies. Oversees research assigned to others. In collaboration with the Director of Policy, develops policy positions and promotes their consideration and adoption by relevant parties.
• Constituency. Pursues and strengthens relationships in the sector, government, academe, faith communities, and the broader public, as appropriate.
• Media / public profile. Acts as the primary face of the program, prepares and delivers presentations in a variety of settings, and is able to communicate effectively in unscripted settings such as interviews.

Hours, Location, and Salary

This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and works at one of our beautiful offices, which are located in Hamilton and in Ottawa. Some travel (about 20 days/year) is required. Salary is commensurate with qualifications.

Reports To

Vice President of Research.

How to Apply

Please prepare a cover letter that describes your commitment to the mission of Cardus and how you meet the qualifications we are seeking. Combine your cover letter and resume/CV into one file and upload it here. We will review applications as they are received, and the position will be posted until filled. We look forward to hearing from you.