Build Peace Conference Coordinator Job Description

Reports to: Director, Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement

Hourly Rate: $28/hr + Vacation Pay

Work Hours: flexible, not to exceed 160 hours 

Application deadline July 22, 2026

Conrad Grebel University College is affiliated with and situated on the campus of the University of Waterloo and is home to academic programs in Peace and Conflict Studies, Music, Mennonite Studies, and Theological Studies. Grebel also has a residence which houses 140 Waterloo students in a dynamic community.  

The mission of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) is to catalyze collaboration among a variety of participants involved in the work of advancing peace, including researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, activists, and artists. 

This is a time-limited contract position that will support planning and execution of the Build Peace annual conference in Waterloo from November 13 – 15, 2026.  This is the first time this global conference has been held in Canada. The Conference Coordinator will work closely with the Director of the CPA, the Local Advisory Committee, and staff with Build Up, the organizational lead, in order to carry out plans for this international conference. Success in this role will depend on clear and responsive communication, understanding and managing timelines, careful and conscientious attention to detail, problem solving, and collaborative relationships. 

Since 2013, the Build Peace conference has explored emergent challenges to peace in a digital era, and peacebuilding innovations to address these challenges. It holds an interdisciplinary space to address the most pressing topics and transformative practices in peace, conflict and innovation. This year, the conference theme is “Enabling Encounters“, and it is co-organized with the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, with the support of the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the Global Centre for Pluralism. The main conference venue is the CGI campus in Uptown Waterloo, and the program will include plenary talks, workshops, and art installations for 250-300 attendees from up to 50 countries. Pre-conference meetings will be hosted at Grebel, and a public event is also being planned on the University of Waterloo campus for the opening evening of the conference. 

1. Attend weekly planning meetings and track progress on CPA action items and deliverables. 

2. Venue: The Conference Coordinator will be the point of contact with the venue for the Build Peace conference and make all arrangements for the conference plenary, workshops, and interactive exhibitions based on requirements detailed by Build Up in consultation with the CPA Director. In particular, the Conference Coordinator will work with Build Up representatives to: 

• Liaise with the venue for the setup of audiovisual equipment, including troubleshooting and problem-solving. 
• Liaise with catering services, including food, beverages, and waitstaff. 
• Liaise with event decoration and evening reception organizers. 
• Provide information on emergency medical services.  
• Prepare a logistics note with all the necessary information outlined for the participants. 

3. Travel: The Conference Coordinator will assist in coordinating travel arrangements of the panel, short talk, art-installations and selected workshop speakers, including providing letters of invitation for visa applications. 

4. Volunteers: The Conference Coordinator will reach out to CPA networks and partners and help select and train a group of student volunteers to assist during the conference. The CPA is responsible for managing the volunteer team in close coordination with the designated Build Up staff, assigning them to support the operation of conference events. 

5. Outreach and Communications: Support the CPA and Build Up teams as needed. 

6. Pre-conference meetings and public event: Provide logistical support as needed by liaising with Grebel and UWaterloo staff. 

• Support for and understanding of the vision and mission of the Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College. 

Education

• Undergraduate degree preferred

Experience / Skills

• Excellent organizational skills. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Excellent attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and take the initiative to solve problems. 

• Creativity, good judgment, and critical thinking skills. 

• Flexibility with time and willingness to adjust hours according to the busy times of the conference. 

• Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills, including the ability to work productively and collegially with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds. 

• Previous experience as event coordinator or project manager, and experience collaborating with multiple project participants to ensure a successful outcome are assets. 

• Knowledge of the Grebel, CPA and University of Waterloo community a strong asset. 

Technical

• Experience using, and a demonstrated aptitude for: Microsoft 365, and Google workspace. 

Working Relationships 

This role is accountable to the Director of the Centre for Peace Advancement. The Director of Operations and HR Manager of the College are responsible for dealing with matters related to contract, benefits, work space, and equipment. 

Work Hours 

The contract will not exceed 160 hours of work between August and December 2026. The job requires some flexibility in adjusting hours according to conference needs. The distribution of hours will be worked out with the CPA Director.  

All employees of the College are expected to follow College and applicable University of Waterloo health and safety policy, procedures and work practices at all times. Employees are also responsible for the completion of all health and safety training, as assigned. Employees with staff supervision and/or management responsibilities will ensure that assigned staff abide by the above, and actively identify, assess and correct health and safety hazards, as required.