Vice President, Advocacy (Volunteer)

Vice President, Advocacy (Volunteer)

About Us

Put Children First is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding the emotional and psychological well-being of children impacted by parental separation and divorce. The organization supports equal shared parenting, cooperative co-parenting, and research-based advocacy to ensure that children maintain meaningful and healthy relationships with both parents whenever it is safe and appropriate. Through education, outreach, and strategic partnerships, the organization creates initiatives that empower families and promote child centered solutions.

The organization operates through a collaborative leadership model involving directors, board members, and volunteers who work together to provide programs, research, and community support. This leadership structure ensures a strong foundation for developing initiatives that support mental health, academic success, and emotional stability for children. Through ongoing partnerships and public engagement, the organization is committed to creating environments where children thrive.

Number of Opening: 1

Status: Unpaid Volunteer

Commitment: Approximately 10-12 hours per month

Term: 2 years

Position Summary

The Vice President, Advocacy provides strategic leadership for Put Children First’s advocacy initiatives across Canada. This role is responsible for helping advance awareness, foster meaningful dialogue, and encourage child-centred approaches that support the wellbeing of children experiencing family transition.

Working alongside the President, Board of Directors, and Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President, Advocacy will help shape campaigns, strengthen relationships with community organizations and decision-makers, and promote constructive conversations that encourage collaboration rather than conflict.

About the Opportunity

Children deserve to grow up knowing they are loved, supported, and valued by the people who matter most in their lives. While family circumstances may change, a child’s need for stability, security, and meaningful relationships does not. Put Children First exists to help ensure that these needs remain at the heart of every conversation surrounding separation and divorce.

The Vice President, Advocacy will play an important role in helping Canadians better understand the challenges many children face during family transition. Through respectful engagement, community outreach, and collaboration with organizations across the country, this role will help elevate conversations that encourage cooperation, shared parenting where safe and appropriate, and child-centred decision-making.

This opportunity is well suited for someone who enjoys bringing people together around a common purpose. We are looking for a leader who believes positive change begins through listening, education, and building relationships that inspire action.

Why This Role Matters

Advocacy is about creating understanding. Lasting change rarely happens through confrontation alone; it grows through meaningful conversations, trusted relationships, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes. The Vice President, Advocacy helps ensure that the voices of children remain central as communities, professionals, and policymakers consider the future of family wellbeing in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization’s advocacy strategy.
• Build relationships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and professional associations.
• Support public awareness campaigns and national initiatives.
• Assist in preparing advocacy materials and briefing documents.
• Represent Put Children First at meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications and Policy teams.
• Identify opportunities to expand the organization’s influence and reach.

Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy, community leadership, government relations, nonprofit leadership, or public engagement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of public policy or community development is an asset.
• Passion for improving outcomes for children and families.

At Put Children First, we believe meaningful change begins with people who are willing to share their knowledge, experience, and compassion in service of others. If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to a national movement that places children’s wellbeing at the centre of family transition, we would be honoured to hear from you.