Vice President, Policy (Volunteer)

Vice President, Policy (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, Policy provides strategic leadership for the organization’s public policy and government relations initiatives. Working closely with the President, Board of Directors, and leadership team, this individual helps ensure that Put Children First remains a respected, evidence-informed voice on issues affecting children experiencing family transition.

This role is focused on collaboration rather than confrontation. The successful candidate will help shape thoughtful policy positions, encourage meaningful dialogue with governments and institutions, and contribute to practical solutions that place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making.

About the Opportunity

Children experiencing separation or divorce deserve more than legal processes—they deserve policies that recognize their emotional, developmental, and relational needs. Put Children First is committed to helping shape conversations that encourage stability, cooperation, and meaningful relationships for children wherever it is safe and appropriate.

The Vice President, Policy will help bridge research, lived experience, and public policy. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to policy discussions that have the potential to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities across Canada. Working alongside professionals from diverse disciplines, the successful candidate will help ensure that the organization’s recommendations remain balanced, practical, and evidence-informed.

This position is ideal for someone who believes thoughtful collaboration can influence meaningful change. Rather than advocating for division, Put Children First seeks leaders who are committed to constructive dialogue, respectful engagement, and long-term solutions that serve the best interests of children.

Why This Role Matters

Public policy influences the lives of children long before they ever enter a courtroom, classroom, or counselling office. Decisions made by governments affect family services, education, healthcare, mental health supports, and community resources. By helping inform those conversations, the Vice President, Policy plays an important role in advancing child-centred approaches that strengthen families and reduce unnecessary conflict.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s policy development initiatives.
• Review existing legislation and emerging policy trends affecting children and families.
• Assist in preparing policy briefs, position papers, and consultation submissions.
• Build constructive relationships with government departments, elected officials, and public institutions.
• Support presentations, consultations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Collaborate with the Research Advisory Committee and Board of Directors.
• Ensure policy recommendations reflect current research and best practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in public policy, public administration, law, government relations, social policy, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of Canadian government and legislative processes.
• Excellent research, analytical, and written communication skills.
• Experience preparing policy documents or strategic recommendations.
• Ability to build relationships across multiple sectors.

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.