Specialist, Food Security (DTES, Vancouver)

UNITED WAY BC IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS FOR 2026!

ABOUT US – WHY WE’RE HERE:

Across British Columbia, communities are facing urgent and complex social challenges. United Way BC is committed to delivering lasting, community-driven impact in partnership with diverse populations across the province including Indigenous communities whose territories we live and work on. From Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland, and across the Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Southern Interior, Trail and District, and East Kootenay regions, we walk alongside communities to create meaningful and equitable change.

Our mission is to strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our communities.

Our vision is to create a healthy, caring and inclusive community.

How do we deliver on our mission and vision – by delivering resources and support for those who need it most, and by living our values of being collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring.

For a more in-depth to look into our work and programs, please visit: www.uwbc.ca.

About You:

You bring experience in food security, community development, and the non-profit sector. An effective communicator and attentive listener, you build trusting relationships and work respectfully with diverse communities. You are organized, adaptable, and comfortable balancing competing priorities, interpreting program data, and approaching challenges with tact and practical problem-solving skills.

About this role:

As the Specialist, Food Security, you will support community-based food security programs in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), helping strengthen access to food and community well-being. Working within United Way British Columbia’s DTES Strategy, you will support Food Hub operations, coordinate program delivery, and help build the capacity of local food security partners.

In this community-based role, you will build relationships with charitable partners, service providers, donors, businesses, and volunteers to support coordinated food security services that respond to residents’ needs. You will also contribute to program monitoring and reporting, support donor engagement and fundraising activities, and coordinate visits, tours, and on-site events.

*Applicants for this position should consider the region they are applying for or be prepared to relocate at their own expense, as the position will be based at the Downtown Eastside, and on-site work is required.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Uses an asset-based community development framework to build and maintain relationships of trust and mutual respect with partners and interest holders, including agencies, service providers, community representatives, volunteers, government representatives, and other funders.
• Supports implementation and delivery of DTES Food Hub operations, programs and initiatives within the region to ensure funding deliverables are achieved.
• Supports activities that build a collaborative and integrated service delivery
• Supports the Food Security program portfolio(s) (e.g., Critical Food Infrastructure, Regional Community Food Hub).
• Participates in the monitoring and evaluation of UWBC funded programs and initiatives.
• Ensures reporting and program evaluation data is of high quality and collected in a timely manner, in collaboration with the Food Security team.
• Acts as a resource, providing services and information to other departments at UWBC, in particular, Resource Development and Marketing and Communications, to support donor and communication objectives.
• Provides staff support to volunteers and events, as required.
• Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• University degree from an accredited University or equivalent of community college diploma and years of experience in food security

Experience

• 3 years’ experience engaging communities, knowledge mobilization, and community development
• Experience working with the nonprofit sector required.
• Experience working in food security.
• Familiarity with the unique dynamics of the DTES, including the historical, systemic, and structural factors shaping its needs and strengths.
• Experience working in the DTES in food security or community development, with a proven ability to engage stakeholders, implement programs, and build trust for sustainable impact.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work within a community setting, with a broad cross-section of partners and interest holders, such as non-profit agency leadership, staff and volunteers, seniors, community groups, local government, and other professional staff.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and responsibilities concurrently.
• Ability to work as a highly proficient, effective, and contributing team member.
• Ability to exercise a high level of tact and discretion.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure, be responsive, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem solving and issues management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to review and interpret service delivery data.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills; must be an effective listener and have good presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and computer applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The candidate must reside within the region they are assigned/serving.
• Valid BC Driver's license and access to a vehicle would be an asset
• Majority of the work will be based in the community (about 90%)
• Flexibility in hours to meet work hours outside normal business hours
• Travel will be required within the region

CHARACTERISTICS:

For success at UWBC and in this role, certain demonstrable characteristics will be required:

• A commitment to building healthy, caring, and inclusive communities, internally and externally
• Embodying the organization’s core values to be collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring
• Ability to navigate and operate comfortably within ambiguity
• Drive to succeed as an individual and as a team member

At UWBC, we don’t just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, programs, donors, and the communities we live and work in. At UWBC, we encourage all applicants regardless of age, sex, gender identity, colour, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis to apply.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour and indigenous people are less likely to apply to roles unless they meet every qualification. At UWBC, we are dedicated to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience and qualifications are not perfectly aligned, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or other roles.

This is a bargaining unit role with CUPE Local 1760. This position is at pay grade 38, which is $89,416.60 annually.

Candidates must live within 80 KMs (commuting distance) from our office as this position is currently a hybrid role and office attendance is required.

Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to job competition C-2026-33.

We kindly ask for no phone calls, please. Due to the high number of applications UWBC receive, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in UWBC.