The Ottawa Food Bank

REGISTERED DIETITIAN

The Ottawa Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food, as well as supplies such as diapers, toiletries, and cleaning supplies to its network of over 100 emergency food programs across the city. We work in partnership to create a healthier city by empowering people, increasing access to healthy food, and advocating for systemic changes that reduce food insecurity. We are currently seeking a Registered Dietitian to join our team.

SUMMARY

The Ottawa Food Bank is committed to improving the outcomes of those who access food security programs. Key components of this are increasing the amount of nutritious food that we distribute to the Ottawa Food Bank Network of member agencies and assisting them in providing nutritious food to people attending their programs.

The Registered Dietitian works closely with internal resources, member agencies, and stakeholders to support programming and initiatives related to food nutrition. They contribute to the development and maintenance of a framework that ensures that foods offered across the Network are nutritious and culturally appropriate.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a Healthy Food Distribution Framework and key performance indicators in support of the Ottawa Food Bank’s nutritious food strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate the Ottawa Food Bank’s practices regarding donated and purchased food and implement strategies to improve the nutritional quality of our food inventory. Develop policies on food and nutrition in collaboration with member agencies.
• Identify the information and resources needed to document and evaluate food inventory under a nutritional lens.
• Develop the nutrient ranking and criteria for each food category (e.g. the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) Model, a stoplight system to rank food according to nutritional value).
• Develop and implement standards and guidelines regarding the nutritional value of food purchased, accepted, and distributed.
• Contribute to the Ottawa Food Bank’s and the Network’s capacity to collect, analyse, and report on data to foster evidence-based programming and decision making.
• Collaborate with member agencies, stakeholders, and clients to promote opportunities for healthy, accessible, and sustainable food across the Network.
• Collaborate with member agencies and other stakeholders to improve the nutritional impact of foods accepted, purchased, and distributed. Support agencies in developing strategies to provide nutritional, culturally appropriate foods.
• Lead member agencies and other stakeholders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects in support of nutritional food objectives. Act as project lead for complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Conduct and participate in community needs assessments for food and nutrition projects, services, and policies.
• Develop educational materials for use by staff, member agencies, and other community groups. Conduct workshops and training with member agencies with a focus on food insecure populations.
• Work with the Ottawa Food Bank Network of member agencies to help build awareness of the importance of healthy nutritional practices.
• Work closely with the Operations team to help inform and direct food purchasing and distribution in line with the Ottawa Food Bank’s nutrition guidelines.
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of multidisciplinary health promotion projects.

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

• In depth understanding of nutrition and food security issues with a focus on vulnerable populations. Experience working in the non-profit or community services sector is an asset. Knowledge and understanding of ethnocultural needs and experience working in partnership with ethnocultural communities.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously. Experience in program management to lead and participate in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs.
• Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across the Ottawa Food Bank and with member agencies, people with lived experience, municipal government representatives, university representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Inclusive and non-judgmental mindset, with an ability to engage people with diverse backgrounds (e.g. gender identity, socio-economic status, culture, race, sexual orientation, etc.)
• Critical thinking and analytical skills; ability to synthesize complex and broad information, identify key issues, and present findings in a manner that is easily understood.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfortable making and tailoring presentations to diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND LICENSES

• Certificate of Registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
• University degree and three or more years of experience in food and nutrition or public health.
• Experience managing programs and working on multiple projects with many stakeholders, and in relationship building roles.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTACTS

The work involves regular contact across the organization, particularly with Operations and Programs and Planning staff. External relationships include existing and potential member agencies, the City of Ottawa’s Social Services and Public Health departments, educational institutions, other food banks and food programs, and social service agencies.

The incumbent works closely with external stakeholders to lead and participate in working groups, and to influence decisions made regarding food nutrition and food insecurity. A high degree of tact, discretion, and good judgment are necessary, as the incumbent collaborates with a diverse range of contacts and organizations. The ability to recognize various perspectives and identify solutions that support all stakeholder’s is critical.

PROBLEM SOLVING

The incumbent works with internal and external stakeholders to identify and resolve issues that negatively impact the Ottawa Food Bank’s and the Network’s ability to meet their objectives regarding the receipt and distribution of nutritious food.

The incumbent collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that projects continue to move forward as planned, or to adapt project plans to reflect changing circumstances.

SUPERVISION

This position has no employee reports. The incumbent works with post-secondary institutions to secure student interns and is responsible for their mentorship and evaluation.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERRORS

The incumbent works within the College of Dieticians of Ontario’s practice guidelines. Failure to act within these guidelines could negatively impact the Ottawa Food Bank’s reputation with stakeholders and negatively impact the ability to move objectives forward.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND TRAVEL

Work is generally performed in an office environment. The incumbent also works with Operations in the food distribution (warehouse) area. Work is sometimes performed at member agency locations or at the other stakeholders’ facilities. Travel is usually limited to the National Capital Region.

The incumbent may occasionally work on evenings or weekends.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The work may be stressful at times, due to multiple projects and deadlines. There are minimal physical requirements.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Excellent verbal and written English skills are required. The ability to speak and write in French is strongly preferred. The ability to communicate in additional languages is an asset.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 per year. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s experience and is usually in the $70,000 - $80,000 range.

The Ottawa food bank also offers and excellent benefits program, a retirement savings plan, and a health and wellness spending account.

HOW TO APPLY

In your cover letter please share what makes you an ideal fit for this position and why you want to join the Ottawa Food Bank.

If you are interested in this position, but do not have all the qualifications listed, we’d still like to hear from you. We recognize that people gain skills and experience through different paths.

The Ottawa Food Bank values diversity in our workforce. We invite applications from all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities. Please let your recruiter know if you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.