BCSTH Project Coordinator – Cedar Blankets: Building Wraparound Supports & Reducing Barriers for Indigenous Women and Children to Transition Houses and Safe Homes
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Job Level
- Experienced (non manager)
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
- Impact Area
- Other
- Impact Category
- Nonprofit
- Company Type
- Nonprofit
About this position
Overview of the BC Society of Transition Houses:
The BC Society of Transition Houses http://www.bcsth.ca/ (BCSTH) is a provincial umbrella organization. Our role is to provide support, training, education, resources and advocacy to the network of over 120 Transition Houses and Safe Homes and 86 PEACE programs for children and youth across the province. These programs provide emergency safe shelter and specialised counselling support to women, children and youth. We are a member-based organization - our mandate is to support the vital direct service that they provide.
Overview of the Cedar Blankets Project:
This 4-year project is funded by the Department of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE – formerly Status of Women Canada) and commenced in May of 2019. It addresses the barriers that prevent Indigenous women experiencing violence from accessing BC Transition Houses and Safe Homes and receiving accessible wraparound supports and services. Cedar Blankets involves the testing and evaluation of a promising practice that BCSTH has developed and the ultimate dissemination of the Cedar Blankets project’s findings through a Project Blueprint with provincial and federal knowledge dissemination.
BCSTH has researched and developed a culturally safe and inclusive service model – Reducing Barriers for Indigenous Women and their Children through sharing circles with Indigenous women with lived experience of violence, and surveys and interviews with transition house staff. The Reducing Barriers Inclusive Service Model is the promising practice that will be tested through this project at four pilot sites in BC. The inclusive service delivery model is rooted in a women-centered approach, and reinforced by cultural identity, GBA + analysis, and fosters engagement and empowerment, safety, partnerships, and a wraparound continuum of support. The model includes evaluation by an external consulting partner, partnership stakeholder oversight, staff training and education, policy and practice templates, physical space modification suggestions, community outreach to local Indigenous communities and the incorporation of cultural practice, with knowledge keepers, Elder support and healing activities.
The BCSTH Inclusive Service Model will be reviewed and revised in consultation with the Cedar Blankets project partners -- Reciprocal Consulting, the Partnership Stakeholder Committee and BCSTH member pilot sites. The objective of this project is to reduce the barriers for Indigenous women and their children accessing transition houses and safe homes by assisting transition houses and safe homes to develop culturally safe practices and to decrease perceived and actual barriers to access for Indigenous women and their children. Once sheltered, the objective is to provide ongoing culturally safe, effective wraparound supports for Indigenous women and children that foster longer stays at the houses and safety and healing for gender-based violence survivors.
Overview of the Position:
This position will provide project coordination of the Cedar Blankets project. The Project Coordinator will be the primary liaison point for the four pilot sites and all project partners and will co-ordinate all logistics and activities. The Project Coordinator will work closely with the BCSTH Cedar Blankets Research Coordinator, Reciprocal Consulting www.reciprocalconsulting.ca/, the Partnership Stakeholder Committee, the four BCSTH member pilot sites and the BCSTH member programs.
The Project Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Programs at BCSTH and is expected to work from an intersectional feminist framework and to carry out the work of the organization so as to achieve its overall mission, strategic plan and to meet the outcomes of this funded research project.
Job Description:
Key Responsibilities
1. Liaison between project team members at BCSTH and project partners at Reciprocal Consulting and the Partnership Stakeholder Committee
Co-ordinate meetings and communication between project partners.
2. Project logistics
Organize project timelines, reporting requirements, communications and deliverables.
3. Pilot project site co-ordination
Assist with the identification and selection of four project sites. Develop action and implementation plans and co-ordinate the implementation of all activities between the project sites and local stakeholders. Develop training, protocols and tools for the project sites’ participants to carry out training and project activities.
4. Train and liaise between the four pilot project sites
Train, oversee, co-ordinate and monitor the activities undertaken at each project site. Provide direction, support and make adaptations as required. Coordinate all pilot site meetings and joint meetings with Reciprocal Consulting and the Partnership Stakeholder Committee.
5. Preparation of reports & presentations
Write reports for funders, project partners and others as required. Develop and deliver presentations for project meetings, training forums and conferences. Work closely with Reciprocal Consulting on the Project Blueprint to be disseminated provincially and federally.
6. Administration
Develop and maintain efficient and effective filing, scheduling and communications systems for the project. Monitor project budget. Contribute to the operations and function of a small and busy non-profit organization office. Contribute to support, training, education, resources and advocacy for the BCSTH Membership.
Selection Criteria:
- Minimum of an Associate Degree in Social Sciences or a related discipline.
- Minimum of three years’ experience of project coordination or related employment experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to preventing violence against women and their children and women’s issues.
- Knowledge and/or experience of issues relating to violence against Indigenous women and children is an asset.
- Knowledge and/or experience of issues relating to housing, homelessness and violence against women is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience of conducting community-based, feminist/anti-oppression-informed project work.
- Demonstrated experience of writing project reports and publications.
- Demonstrated experience of developing and delivering trainings and presentations.
- Competent in computer software: Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook.
- Well organized, self-motivated, able to prioritize multiple responsibilities and a keen attention to detail.
- Excellent writing, communications and interpersonal skills.
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and innovative problem-solving skills.
- A positive, enthusiastic and professional approach with a 'can-do' attitude.
- Ability to work in a small team environment that demands flexibility, resourcefulness, commitment and a sense of humour.
- Ability to work flexible hours and travel. Overnight stays are required. A current and valid driver’s license is desirable.
- The qualified candidate is required to undergo a criminal record check.
The position description above is for a 35 hour per week, 4-year contract position, commencing as soon as possible.
This position is based in Vancouver and requires travel.
As an employer, the BC Society of Transition Houses is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our membership and the communities we serve. This includes an employment equity policy and diversity in languages spoken, culture, sex, race, sexual orientation and gender identity. In accordance with the Cedar Blankets Project funding and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code (RSBC 1996 Ch. 210) preference will be given to members of the following designated groups: Aboriginal peoples and Indigenous peoples. Candidates from this group who wish to qualify for preferential consideration should self-identify.
Please submit your résumé and a cover letter indicating how you meet the selection criteria to Amy S. FitzGerald, Executive Director, amy@bcsth.ca no later than August 12, 2019.
Thank you very much for your interest in BCSTH and this position - only those candidates shortlisted will be contacted.
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