Job posting: Project Co-Ordinator, Coming out of Isolation Project

Coming out of Isolation: How Harm Reduction Practice Can Contribute to Family Re-unification

This is an opportunity for an experienced Project Coordinator to lead a 27-month project that will develop, implement, and test harm reduction practices within the child protection system, health systems, housing systems and schools of social work to effectively address the root causes of gender-based violence within these systems. This will be achieved mapping existing harm reduction service organizations, developing peer-led family advocacy groups to inform policy and practice around child protection; creating a service provider network and practice reference group to advance harm reduction policy and practice around child protection; engaging Indigenous Elders and Host Nations to inform cultural safety within a harm reduction practice and advocacy while integrating project learnings into a social policy recommendation document to broaden system change within the child protection system and schools of social work in Canada.

At the end of the project, the project will have developed recommendations that will help dismantle barriers that women face when accessing supports through the child protection system and services; built capacity for peer support and advocacy; and created a network of service providers working towards these goals. This project will center the voices of Indigenous women and their families, BIPOC women and their families while applying an anti-stigma and intersectional lens around substance use, mental health, poverty, ongoing impacts and legacy of colonization and the physical health limitations women can face all while trying to keep their children in their care. Monthly peer group meetings, an Indigenous Elders Council, quarterly Community Advisory group meetings, and interviews will be forums for collecting information and ideas to contribute to each stage of the project.

The applicant must be Indigenous or have direct and recent experience working alongside Indigenous Communities as well as experience and knowledge the historical and current colonial systems of government and with a particular focus on the impact on Indigenous families in relation to the child welfare system, the residential school system, the 60’s scoop and the millennial scoop.

The project will be based out of The Budzey Building: a 147 unit women and family supportive housing program that is located on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

 

The Project Co-ordinator will:

  • Lead and coordinate all aspects of Coming out of Isolation: How Harm Reduction Policy and Practice can contribute to family reunification with direction and supervision from Budzey program leadership
  • Ensure that project deliverables are completed on time and on budget, as described in the project plan.
  • Lead and coordinate project activities including financial responsibility for the project and management of resources as deemed necessary to meet the schedule and budget for project deliverables.
  • Engage with stakeholders at all levels and inspire others to achieve goals and deliverables through facilitation, effective communication of project visions, and ensuring the culture is one in which individual competencies can thrive.
  • Communicate with all levels of host nations, Indigenous Elders, staff and management in community, service provider groups, peers to facilitate consensus, consult, and ensure that cultural safety is centred.
  • Track project accomplishments to ensure project success on a quarterly basis as per the funding agreement.
  • Establish partnerships cross as necessary to ensure project goals and milestones
  • Leads and implements projects that examine policy options including developing policy responses using the input from the three groups as outlined in the workplan
  • Establishes relationships with stakeholders that facilitate long-term, trusting engagement.
  • Provide and write reports and recommendations that will be presented to the various levels of government and schools of social work at the end of the project.

 

Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree or current studies in social work, public policy, harm reduction and health sciences or other related disciplines or equivalent educational experience.
  • Experience in working with Indigenous Communities, Elders and Host Nations
  • Experience and/or knowledge policy development
  • Knowledge and understanding of child protection systems and/or social work
  • Previous project or program facilitation/coordination experience
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent communication skills to function within different community settings.
  • Works well in a team environment
  • Recent, related experience that includes budgeting, managing large-scale projects, and facilitating and managing consultation processes with a wide range of stakeholder groups.
  • Computer literacy with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project management and database applications.

Knowledge and Abilities

  • Displays comprehensive knowledge of project management principles and methodologies and ability to co-ordinate a variety of different community groups.
  • Can manage the fiscal resources of assigned projects/services in a manner that is financially responsible and consistent with overall goals of the organization.
  • Utilizes initiative, vision, independent thinking and creative problem-solving abilities to implement project plans and realize project completion.
  • Understands harm reduction practices and principles.
  • Understands the impacts and legacy of Colonization in Canada
  • Has an understanding of working alongside peer based community and values lived and living experience
  • Maintains a thorough understanding of available resources for projects and applicable stakeholder groups, provides feedback and detailed analysis on project processes and makes recommendations as required.
  • Utilizes effective facilitation skills and resolve conflicts and achieve desired outcomes.
  • Works effectively under time pressure to meet deadlines, balance work priorities and resolve problems in a timely manner.
  • Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

 

Weekly schedule: This is a part time position with a total of 24 hours of work per week for 25 months. There is no funding for additional hours in this project so work must be completed within the timeframe given.

Compensation: $75/hour

Please send applications to: Amelia Ridgway, Associate Director RainCity Housing [email protected]

Deadline for applications: March 4th, 2022

Timeline: Applicant need to be ready to start this project in April 2022. Applicant will be responsible using their own computer/printer and cell phone for the duration of the project.

This project is funded by WAGE (Women and Gender Equity Canada)