Job Posting -

Job Posting

Job Posting: YouthCO Sexual Health Programs Manager

Located in downtown Vancouver, YouthCO AIDS Society is Canada's first youth-driven organization leading the HIV and HepC movement through peer education, support, and shared leadership.

Since 1994, YouthCO has provided opportunities for people ages 15-29 to play a leading role in the design & delivery of innovative peer-based Support and Education programming. YouthCO’s Education Team facilitates workshops, trainings, and outreach for youth and youth advocates/educators throughout BC. YouthCO’s Education Team works to reduce vulnerability to HIV/ AIDS and Hepatitis C through building increased awareness & self-esteem, anti-oppression work regarding vulnerability, advocacy towards ending stigma & discrimination, and prevention of disease transmission.

YouthCO’s Education Team currently operates through two highly collaborative programming streams: Harm Reduction Programs—working with youth in alternative schools, indigenous youth programs, custody centres, survival sex work, and out of school programs; and Sexual Health Programs—working with youth in mainstream High Schools, Colleges and Universities, and social venues such as clubs/bars, raves, house parties, concerts & festivals. YouthCO’s Sexual Health Programs integrate issues pertaining to sex, healthy relationships, sexual orientation and gender identity, recreational substance use, safer sex and general HIV/STI prevention.

We are currently seeking a full-time (35 hrs per week) Sexual Health Programs Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for the coordination of the school-based Speakers’ Bureau Program as well as the support and management of other staff within the Sexual Health Program including the Peer-Facilitator & Education Assistant, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Forum Theatre Troupe Coordinator, and Summer Outreach Coordinator.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Sexual Health Program – Speakers’ Bureau

Ø Workshop development and facilitation, ensuring high standards of service delivery, consistent messages, accurate information, promotion of social justice, and ongoing integration of proven youth-engagement strategies (a.k..a. making it fun).

Ø Coordination of administrative tasks including workshop promotion, bookings, scheduling of volunteer peer-educators, creation/revision of handouts and resource materials, invoicing, data collection, and workshop evaluation.

Volunteer Training and Support

Ø In collaboration with the Education Team, develop and facilitate training, support, evaluation, & recognition strategies for volunteer peer-educators.

Program Design & Strategic Planning

Ø Ongoing research and development of innovative approaches to peer education/sexual health education

Ø Development and implementation of an annual work plan and budget, setting annual priorities and maintaining appropriate financial records.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

Ø Formal program evaluation and reporting to government funders, including the compilation of qualitative and quantitative statistics and reports.

Ø Compilation of monthly and annual narrative reports for internal Agency communications

Advocacy and Community Development

Ø Program advocacy, promotion, communications and liaison with school staff, school boards, parent groups, youth-serving community agencies, funders, and social venues.

Ø Development of strong partnerships with other sexual health education programs, AIDS serving organizations, youth-driven programs, and arts-based education initiatives including participation in relevant coalition groups, committees, conferences and community forums, both local/provincial and national in scope.

Ø Advocacy for the rights of young people to have their basic needs met (e.g. safe affordable housing, access to comprehensive sexual health information) and to be leaders in decision-making that affects their lives.

Management of Project Staff & Practicum Students

Ø In collaboration with YouthCO’s Management Team, develop support & supervision strategies that value shared- leadership and consensus-based decision making.

Ø Support project staff & practicum students through regular program planning sessions, establishing short & long term goals, timelines, and follow-up sessions.

Ø In collaboration with the Executive Director, establish processes for special recognition and disciplinary action when appropriate

Summary of Desired Skills & Qualifications:

IT DOESN’T HURT TO APPLY!

If you think you’re a strong candidate for this position, but you’re concerned you don’t have all of the following qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. A willingness to take initiative in learning will be considered an asset in areas where strong candidates may have gaps in knowledge or direct experience – tell us in your cover letter how you plan to build your knowledge and apply transferrable skills.

Ø University degree in a relevant field and/OR equivalent experience

Ø Three years of work and/or volunteer experience engaging youth 15-29 using interactive educational techniques, such as experiential education, forum theatre, and arts-based facilitation

Ø Experience working within community based organizations/non-profit agencies using consensus-based models of shared leadership

Ø Experience in strategic program planning, implementation of creative vision, formal evaluation and report writing

Ø Management experience including support & supervision of volunteers and/or staff

Ø Proven administrative, organizational and time management skills with excellent attention to detail

Ø Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating self-awareness and mindfulness of non-verbal cues

Ø Excellent listening skills, non-judgemental, patient, flexible, and non-controlling

Ø Experience working across cultures, with a demonstrated commitment to modelling and advocating for anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices

Ø Ability to represent the agency in the community including a high degree of professionalism, ability to identify strategic partners, and ease with public speaking

Ø Ability to work both independently and in collaboration, providing strong leadership and direction to others when appropriate

Ø Ability to analyse and resolve problems as they arise using non-violent conflict resolution strategies

Ø Familiarity with youth issues in British Columbia related to sexual health education, drug use, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and harm reduction

Ø Knowledge of programs, health services, and resources for youth in the Lower Mainland a strong asset

Starting salary is $31,920 - $35,280 commensurate with experience, and includes paid vacation time and eligibility to participate in a comprehensive benefits package after probationary period is complete. The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal record check.

Interviews will be conducted July 28th – 30th; some flexibility available

Desired start date: August 4th, 2008 or shortly after

Please send applications, including resume and cover letter via email attachment to:

Email: dirceu@youthco.org

Subject: Application for Sexual Health Programs Manager

Attention: Stephanie Grant, Executive Director

Deadline for applications is 9 AM PST Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

YouthCO AIDS Society is deeply committed to meaningful inclusion of young people from all Canadian communities in order to best fulfill our peer mandate. We especially encourage applications from youth living with HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C; youth from indigenous (Aboriginal, Inuit, Métis) communities; youth from newcomer and immigrant communities; youth of colour, LGBT/Queer youth; and youth living with disabilities.

Only successful, short-listed candidates will be contacted. No telephone or email inquiries please. Further information on YouthCO and its services can be found at www.youthco.org.

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Job Posting: Aboriginal Youth Harm Reduction Project Coordinator

YouthCO AIDS Society, located in Vancouver, BC, is Canada’s only youth-driven HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) organization. YouthCO builds capacity with youth between the ages of 15-29 throughout BC to reduce vulnerabilities to HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis C through peer support, peer education and shared leadership. YouthCO’s programs are peer-directed, providing support, skill-development, resources, primary and secondary sexual health and harm reduction information to youth and youth communities in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and throughout BC.

We are presently seeking an individual to fulfill the part-time (30h/week) contract position of Aboriginal Youth Harm Reduction Project Coordinator for the period of August 2008 – March 2009. Working closely with project partners from Aboriginal organizations and communities throughout the province, the successful candidate will be responsible for the delivery of YouthCO’s Aboriginal youth harm reduction Curriculum, and the development and implementation of an Aboriginal Youth Harm Reduction Project Steering Committee.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES/PROGRAMMING AREAS:

Under the direction and supervision of the Harm Reduction Programs Coordinator and Aboriginal Project Mentor, and in collaboration with the Project Steering Committee (SC) (includes representatives from YouthCO, Healing Our Spirit and Chee Mamuk), the YouthCO Aboriginal Youth Harm Reduction Project Coordinator will:

Ø Promote and deliver the Aboriginal Youth harm reduction Curriculum to community-based organizations working specifically with Aboriginal youth.

Ø Coordinate the Steering Committee (including coordinating meetings, drafting minutes, developing and implementing a work plan)

Ø Mentor and supervise one outreach educator

Ø Assist the Harm Reduction Programs Coordinator in both formal and informal evaluation and reporting requirements.

Ø Promote the Aboriginal Youth Harm Reduction Project to youth and related community partners, liaising with other community agencies and stakeholders as necessary.

Ø Contribute equally to the development of the project as a successful, healthy, and effective youth and AIDS service organization, including regular attendance at all Steering Committee meetings and functions as required and assisting in the maintenance of the general reception duties.

Ø Perform other related duties and functions as required.

SUMMARY OF SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS POSSIBLE ASSETS:

Ø Current personal lived experience from a Aboriginal community

Ø Minimum two years’ related experience working with Aboriginal youth.

Ø Experience working with street-involved youth, preferably in Vancouver’s Downtown South/Downtown Eastside areas.

Ø Established skills in group facilitation

Ø Familiarity with issues related to sexual health, drug use and HIV/Hepatitis C within Aboriginal communities.

Ø Culturally comfortable and competent working with Aboriginal groups/organizations/communities.

Ø Demonstrated professional judgement with confidential information.

Ø Experience in planning and organising meetings, events and activities.

Ø Ability to represent the agency in the community including a high degree of professionalism.

Ø Ability to plan, organize and prioritize, with notable leadership skills and a high level of self motivation, attention to detail, direction and initiative.

Ø Ability to work both independently and in cooperation with others within consensus-based and accountability frameworks.

Contract salary is $13,685 - $15,295, commensurate with experience. Contract end date is March 31, 2009. The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal record check.

Please address applications to:

Maeve Chamberlaine, Harm Reduction Program Coordinator
YouthCO AIDS Society
900 Helmcken Street, Vancouver
V6Z 1B3. Fax: (604) 688-4932.
Email: maevec@youthco.org

Deadline for applications is 9 AM PST, July 23, 2008.

We strongly encourage First Nations, Métis and Inuit , and/or living with HIV/Hepatitis C to apply. YouthCO AIDS Society is deeply committed to hiring a representative of these groups in order to best fulfill our peer-driven mandate.

Only successful, short-listed candidates will be contacted. No telephone or email inquiries please. Further information on YouthCO and its services can be found at www.youthco.org.