Position: Project Coordinator; Small Urban, Rural, and Remote (SURR) Harm Reduction
Status: Part time – 9 hrs per week (0.24 FTE)
Time Period: October 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 (with possibility of extension)
Remuneration: $9,450 ($52,500 annual salary prorated to 0.24 FTE)
Location: Flexible, working virtually. Preferably located in a Small Urban, Rural or Remote community within British Columbia. This position requires travel to in-person events from time to time. Travel expenses will be covered/reimbursed.
Summary of the position
The SURR Harm Reduction Project Coordinator is an important new position, funded through the Vancouver Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which is being created for the duration of this project. The Project Coordinator is a hands-on position and will support coordination and delivery of a virtual meeting series, an in-person meeting event, and next steps, with the major goal of identifying research priorities relating to harm reduction in small urban, rural and remote regions of the province.
About the project: While much attention is paid to the overdose crisis in BC’s larger urban centres, smaller communities throughout BC are disproportionately impacted by high rates of overdose and illicit drug toxicity deaths. Harm reduction approaches are essential to mitigating deaths and other harms related to drug use, but a one-size fits all model has not been successful, especially when adapting large city approaches to small urban, rural, and remote communities in BC. A group of community-based partners have identified the need for more research on harm reduction services from small urban, rural, and remote communities and with Indigenous peoples and communities. They also want to build knowledge of how harm reduction services operate in these communities throughout BC so communities can adequately respond to the ongoing crisis with policies and programs that are based in local knowledge.
The Project Coordinator will support the coordination of this participatory planning process as we seek to explore:
- how harm reduction service providers have developed and implemented unique and innovative programs and approaches to support the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs in small urban, rural, and remote communities in BC;
- how these may be shared with similar communities; and
- what knowledge or research gaps would support improved harm reduction services in these communities.
About PAN
PAN provides a network to support and connect the abilities and efforts of its 40+ member organizations that respond to HIV, hepatitis C and related issues in BC, including the drug-poisoning crisis. Our work includes training and leadership development; community-based research and evaluation; advocacy and policy change; and community building for positive change.
It is an integral part of our work to model a safe and inclusive workplace for all. This includes cultural humility and a commitment to ensuring cultural safety for Indigenous staff, members, partners, and participants. We challenge ourselves to learn new ways to address the struggles of historically oppressed people and communities.
As a non-Indigenous organization, we acknowledge our own privilege and role in the systems of colonization, and we strive to dismantle them.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Engage Working Group members, including leads at community-based organization, people with lived and living experience of drug use, academics, and others
- Coordinate, schedule, and facilitate all monthly meetings via Zoom, including the development of content/program and agenda plan for each meeting
- Support the development of Working Group documents
- Support data collection and/or knowledge gathering that may include literature reviews, environmental scans, and/or interviews with key partners
- Conduct short needs assessment(s) with Working Group members
- Support Working Group activities including:
- evaluation
- SURR Harm Reduction advocacy work
- knowledge translation
- planning next steps, including research priorities and future funding sources/opportunities
- Other duties and special projects identified that reflect both organizational need as well as employee interest
Qualifications:
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, group team building and facilitation skills
- Experience working collaboratively with diverse internal and external allies and partners
- Experience with harm reduction practices, approaches, and working with people who use drugs
- Experience or ability to work virtually (i.e. proficiency with email, web-based collaboration tools, video conferencing tools, Microsoft Office etc.)
- Strong written and verbal and communication skill
- Experience in event planning and production an asset
- Experience with producing and delivering educational materials and events an asset
Attributes/Characteristics:
- Models and promotes community-based approaches to project delivery and a commitment to the calls for action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report including cultural safety and humility principles
- Ability to determine priorities, be self-directed and work with minimal supervision; proven problem-solving abilities
- Understanding and respect of discretion and confidentiality
Application Process
We will begin reviewing applications September 15th, 2022, and this posting will remain active until the position is filled.
Please email your application to [email protected] with a subject line of “SURR Harm Reduction Project Coordinator”. Your application should include your resume and a letter that tells us why you are interested in this position and describes what you would bring to the role including your previous experience.
We strongly encourage and will prioritize applications from people with lived experience of drug use, Indigenous individuals, and/or people living and working outside of large urban areas.