Fair trade, business administration and marketing

Position: Fair Trade Marketing and Admin Coordinator (20-week contract)
Organization: Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network

• Contract Dates: October 19, 2026 - March 19, 2027 - with mandatory employability skills training from September 28 - October 16 (delivered virtually)
• Location: Remote position with travel within the Maritimes
• Remuneration: $17/hr, 35 hrs per week
• Required: Valid driver’s license and access to a car
• Candidate Eligibility: Eligible youth must be 15-30 years old, NEET (not currently working, in school, or in training), and be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Application deadline: September 4, 2026

Organizational Background:

The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS) was established over 35 years ago in response to the genocide and mass displacement of communities during Guatemala’s internal armed conflict. Today, BTS is a vibrant solidarity network of more than 300 volunteer members across the Maritimes. BTS supports Guatemalan human rights and community development organizations working toward social, economic, environmental, and cultural justice. The network is grounded in a commitment to global solidarity, recognizing the deep interconnectedness between the Global North and Global South, and the responsibility of Canadians to engage in advocacy, education, and action for justice.

Position Description:

The Fair Trade Marketing Coordinator will play a key role in supporting BTS in promoting its Fair Trade coffee and craft initiative. The successful candidate will work closely with BTS volunteer members throughout the Maritimes to assist with coffee and craft sales and raise awareness about Fair Trade principles. Under the supervision of BTS staff and with support from Just Us! Coffee Roasters, the coordinator will develop and share engaging written and visual content to promote BTS coffee and its broader mission. The successful candidate will also collaborate with our fair trade crafts by Guatemalan partner, UPAVIM, to expand our fair trade crafts.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, dependable, and experienced in handling cash and food products. A strong interest in social justice, Fair Trade, anti-oppressive partnerships, and the work of BTS is essential.

Key Activities for this Position Include:

• Promotion of fair trade BTS coffee and crafts through visual and written content for brochures, information packages, social media, newsletters, and blog platforms
• Promotion of current craft sales at markets, support selling of crafts at markets
• Market expansion of BTS coffee and crafts at coffee shops, stores, and markets
• Support for BTS Coffee Kiosk at the Halifax Forum Farmers’ Market one Saturday a month and other markets around the Maritimes, which may include providing customer service, interacting with customers, and collaborating with BTS volunteer members to organize coffee production and sales
• Conducting research to learn about fair trade, Small Producers Partnership (SPP), the Highlands Committee of Small Farmers (CCDA), United for a Better Life (UPAVIM) and current events in Guatemala
• Organizing support and participation in events promoting fair trade and BTS activities (e.g. Fall Speaking Tour, International Development Week, etc.)
• Advocacy about the work of BTS and impact of involvement in solidarity network
• Fostering relationships and support within BTS network local committees
• Participating in regular meetings with BTS staff and supervisors
• Conducting administrative tasks including notetaking, file organization, progress tracking, ordering and maintaining inventory, and the use of excel
• Admin tasks, comms work (add to this)

Qualifications of Ideal Candidate:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Experience transforming research into communications tools, including blog posts, graphics, videos, webinars, presentations, etc.
• Experience using graphic design applications
• Interested in, and demonstrated commitment to, anti-oppression, community organizing, social justice, and solidarity work
• Works well in collaborative processes
• Possesses the organizational skills to work independently
• Highly reliable
• Possesses high cross-cultural awareness and strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experience handling food, money and providing customer service
• Available to work weekends and evenings as needed
• Holds a valid driver's license and has access to a car
• Will be considered assets: Knowledge of Guatemalan history and socio-political context. An understanding of fair trade, Small Producers Partnerships (SPP), and Just Us!’s approach to Fair Trade

Application Process:

All interested candidates should apply through ASCEND at this link indicating that you are interested in the “Fair Trade Marketing and Admin Coordinator” position with the Maritimes Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network.

Application deadline is September 4, 2026.

For more information or questions contact: btsmaritimes2@gmail.com

Interviews: Will be held in September.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Organizational Commitment to Equity:

BTS acknowledges that systemic barriers disproportionately target and affect marginalized communities. We are committed to challenging these systemic inequalities and encourage applications from individuals that represent the full diversity of communities in terms of ability, age, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, we recognize, and value lived experience as a legitimate attestation of skills and abilities.

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