**Indigenous Women are encouraged to apply. First preference will be given to all qualified Indigenous applicants.**
Why make ONWA your career choice?
Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:
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Competitive salaries
- Generous paid vacation time
- Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
- Additional paid stat and civic holidays
- 35 hour work week
- Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
- Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
- Competitive Retirement Savings Plan up to 16% with organization match pending position
- Paid sick days
- Paid cultural/personal wellness days
- Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
- Ongoing professional development.
- Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses
- Remote/hybrid work offered for various positions
VISION:
At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.
MANDATE:
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a not-for-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario. ONWA encourages the participation of Indigenous women in the development of Federal, Provincial, Municipal/ Local government policies that impact their lives and ensure issues affecting Indigenous women and their families are heard at key government tables.
ONWA is committed to providing services that strengthen communities and guarantees the preservation of Indigenous culture, identity, art, language, and heritage. Ending violence against Indigenous women and their families and ensuring equal access to justice, education, health, environmental stewardship, and economic development, sits at the cornerstone of the organization. ONWA insists on social and cultural well – being for all Indigenous women and their families, so that all women, regardless of tribal heritage may live their best lives.
SCOPE:
The Housing First Coordinator is fully versed on the Housing First Approach and Rapid Rehousing. They will coordinate the foundation of the program by networking, establishing and building relationships with community service providers, landlords and community members. The Housing First Coordinator will advocate the program, coach and educate community members to create a network of support for Indigenous people who are at risk of being homeless there by providing further supports in the areas of housing; acting as advocates with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, the court system, schools and medical services as Indigenous people strive for personal recovery, to maintain their families and live their best lives.
The Nihdawin Program advocates and supports Indigenous people 16 years of age or older who are or at imminent risk of homelessness in the community of Kenora. Priority is given to Indigenous people who are at a greater risk of losing their children to the child welfare system and or who are at a greater risk of becoming in conflict with the law due to homelessness.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, Indigenous learning, women’s studies with a minimum three to five (3-5) years’ work experience in community service delivery.
- Extensive knowledge of the Housing First Approach and the Rapid Re-Housing model.
- Knowledge of criminal justice system.
- Proven experience working with vulnerable persons and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding housing and homelessness, poverty, mental health and addictions.
- Strong communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.
- Experience in Community Member advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous families and/or communities.
- Knowledge of and relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and establish/maintain these relationships.
- Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
- Capacity to solve problems and to see different perspectives.
- Ability to plan, organize and manage time effectively.
- Highly motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills and an ability to follow through on assigned duties independently with strict deadlines.
- Knowledge of Not-For Profit Organizations
- Proficient working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
- Ability to travel.
- Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
- Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
- A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
- Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
- ONWA is committed on implementing measures to protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required
KEY CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Inter-cultural Competency Informed – Understands to incorporate a personal responsibility to increase sensitivity, awareness and implementation of ONWA’s cultural teachings and organizational practices in both professional conduct and work related deliverables.
- Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Informed – Understands to incorporate an intersectional approach to gender, race and discrimination and subsequent intergenerational impacts affecting Indigenous women and their families.
- Trauma-Based Practice Informed – Understands to incorporate a trauma-informed approach to recognize and respond to all forms of trauma and the necessity of supporting Indigenous women in a culture of tradition and safety in her healing journey.
- She is Wise Leadership Informed – Understands to incorporate the Four Agreements within daily responsibilities and combined with ONWA’s cultural teachings contribute to the empowerment and leadership of Indigenous women within their communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES-SPECIFIC:
- Represent the Nihdawin program in all aspects of service delivery.
- Set up the foundation for the Housing First Program, to support the Nidahwin Family Support Workers including any program supports, resources, forms, guidelines, manuals, etc.
- Promote the Housing First program to all existing and new connections and create awareness within the community through networking, creation of promotional resources, engagement sessions, focus groups with local partners etc.
- Provide services that are holistic in nature, to address the needs of Indigenous individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of being homeless, the hidden homeless, the newly homeless and those that episodically access shelters.
- Network and partner with various agencies, services within the community, landlords, committees.
- Establish, maintain and build relationships and connections with existing and potential landlords within the city as part of the Housing First Approach.
- Compile list of partnering landlords and provide up to date housing lists, coordinate house viewings and follow up/secure housing units for clients of the program.
- Provide referrals to legal/financial services for Indigenous people in conflict with the law to increase support services and specialized services to help Indigenous people and their families, especially those that are at risk of intervention services from a Children Aide Society due to the risk of homelessness.
- Advocate on behalf of Community Members and provide coaching and guidance to empower them to represent themselves when interacting with potential landlords.
- Arrange transportation for Community Members as required for a variety of reasons.
- Educate self and Community Members on changes to OW/ODSP benefits and programs to assist with start-up costs and utility entitlements.
- Connect Community Members to employment and education services; addiction and mental health supports; culturally specific supports, crisis supports, and refer to necessary services to help Community Members move towards stabilized living environment.
- Organize and facilitate programming and events that will provide Community Members with the opportunity to participate in culturally relevant, safe programming and activities, including but not limited to ceremony, Elders consults, traditional crafts, use of medicines, etc.
- Create and deliver workshops on the Housing First Program.
- Evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of the Housing First Program and compile/communicate results and recommendations.
- Ensure confidentiality, and show respect, patience and empathy towards Community Members.
- Prepare case reports, carefully document information, and maintain accurate case records, draft correspondence, impact statements and program reports, including program evaluation.
- Demonstrate initiative and work within established procedural guidelines as needed, liaise with stakeholders and service providers to provide integrated services and/or pertinent specialized information to enhance program effectiveness and Community Member outcomes.
- Other duties as required.
AUTHORITY: To execute duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
The Nihdawin Housing First Coordinator will be directly accountable to the Branch Manager for the proper completion of the functions outlined in the job description.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
As Indigenous leaders, ONWA is continuing full operations including hiring, while working from home and in office, as supporting our community members is a priority. ONWA is scheduling all interviews, providing training, onboarding and orientation for new employees, through the use of virtual tools.
