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FinanceAdministratorTerms of Reference

OBIAA Digital Main Street Initiative & Ontario Energy Efficiency Awareness Initiative

BackgroundInformation

OBIAA
The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association is a network that represents unique and vibrant BIAs cross Ontario, it supports and advocates on behalf of its members through the building and nurturing of strong relationships and partnerships. OBIAA represents, supports, and encourages BIAs through membership to increase their effectiveness and their contribution to the economic, cultural and social well-being of communities across the province.
OBIAA undertakes research, runs events, and builds awareness on matters affecting small business and the ongoing vitality of our mainstreets. Two new and exciting initiatives have recently been launched by the Association in partnership with the Province and will form a critical part of the OBIAA Mandate over the next two years, these are described below.
Digital Main Street Initiative
The $12 million Digital Main Street Initiative, approved under the $40 million Main Street Enhancement Initiative (“MSEI”), is focused on expanding the reach of the existing Digital Main Street program administered by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) to small businesses in all municipalities across Ontario. The project specifically aligns with the Province’s priority of creating a supportive and dynamic business environment, and OMAFRA’s priorities of creating strong rural communities.
Ontario Energy Efficiency Awareness Initiative
Ontario’s 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan, Delivering Fairness and Choice, reaffirms the province’s commitment to conservation and commits to the continued availability of conservation programs for all sectors to help customers manage their energy consumption and remain competitive.
Ontario has a suite of energy efficiency programs available to small businesses (e.g. Save on Energy and natural gas conservation programs). In addition to these programs, the Green Ontario Fund is mandated to deliver programs that encourage fuel-switching and deep greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for homes and businesses. Small businesses have traditionally been a hard-to-reach sector for energy efficiency programs.
The Ontario Energy Efficiency Awareness Initiative (EEAI) aims to help small businesses manage their energy costs and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is a component of the Government of Ontario’s Main Street Enhancement Initiative, announced in the 2017 Fall Economic Statement.

Initiative Objectives

Digital Main Street Initiative
The Digital Main Street Initiative Project is being undertaken to provide small businesses (businesses between 1 and 99 employees) in all municipalities across Ontario with access to grant programs, training and support services to harness new technologies that will enable them to adapt to and tap into larger social, economic, demographic and technological trends.
In order to achieve that overall outcome, the project activities are focused on the primary objective of enhancing the digital capabilities of small businesses in all communities across Ontario through:
  • Assessment of small business digital capabilities
  • Prioritization of digital improvements to small businesses
  • Creation of digital transformation strategic plans
  • Delivery of in-person and digital training and assistance
  • Delivery of grants to assist with the implementation of digital transformation plans
The funding can only be used to support digital enhancement activities in small businesses (i.e. businesses with between 1 and 99 employees).
The project timeline commencedJanuary 31, 2018, and will run until March 31, 2020.
Ontario Energy Efficiency Awareness Initiative
The EEAI project aims to help small businesses in traditional main street areas manage their energy bills and reduce their GHG emissions by increasing their awareness of and participation in energy efficiency programs (existing Save On Energy electricity conservation programs and natural gas conservation programs, and planned Green Ontario Fund programs).
OBIAA’s delivery of the EEAI is expected to effectively reach small businesses, as using local or sector association is an industry best practice for reaching this traditionally hard-to-reach sector.
The project timeline will run from April 2018 until December 2020.

Financial AdministratorRole

The Role will primarily be to manage the grant administration process for both the Digital Main Street and the Energy Efficiency Awareness Initiatives on behalf of OBIAA, and provide the required financial reporting to the Province in line with the timelines outlined in their respective Transfer Payment Agreements (“TPA”).
In addition to this, the Finance Administrator will be asked to provide general bookkeeping duties in their capacity with the Association. Main duties will include:
-Recording the financial transactions of the organization, up to and including monthly reconciliations
-Cheque processing
-Producing balance sheets, income statements and other financial documents
-Financial Reporting as required by the Transfer Payment Agreements and the OBIAA Board
-Knowledge of Quickbooks is an asset

Deliverables, Schedule & Budget

Financial deliverables will be in line with the required timelines set forward by the Province in each Project’s respective Transfer Payment Agreement.
A comprehensive project milestones calendar will need to be developed in collaboration with the OBIAA Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Project Timing:
Minimum 24 months total (commencing end of January 2018 with final report March 31, 2020). To be reviewed prior to completion of contract.
Fee Estimate:
  • Fixed Fee upon award.
  • $80-95,000 range
  • Compensation is based on an employee/employer relationship, however OBIAA will entertain bids from companies to undertake the described work.

Reporting Relationships

The Finance Administrator will report directly to the OBIAA Executive Director on all matters.

Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when a member’s private or personal interests may take precedence over or compete with his or her responsibilities as a committee member.
Conflicts of interest must be immediately reported to the OBIAA Executive Director who will seek the advice of the Board of Management on determining a course of action.

Confidentiality

In the course of carrying out the role and responsibilities associated with each Initiative, the Communications Coordinator is expected to respect the confidentiality of all sensitive information discussed.

General Terms and Conditions

The Finance Administrator must adhere to the General Terms and Conditions as outlined in their contract between OBIAA and themselves.

Deadline for Submission

May 10, 2018

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