Position Summary
Working as part of an integrated services team, the Team Lead ensures that services are operating effectively in keeping within operational goals and planning. This role will manage, and be located in, Thunder Bay, ON. Approximately 40% of the time is spent on staff supervision and directing services, 30% of the time on administration including reporting and, 30% of the time engaging and partnering with the community. Guided by a strengths-based multidisciplinary approach, rooted in principles of self-determination, this position will work closely with the Indigenous community to build a client base and service offering that is compelling for the Indigenous community. Active engagement will be required with service users, volunteers, staff, community members, Elders and partnering agencies to strengthen the health and well-being of the provincial Indigenous communities. This role has budget responsibilities. Regular travel is required along with some evening and weekend work.
Community and Client Services
- Oversee the development and delivery of education presentations and workshops focused on HIV & HCV prevention and transmission, as well as Indigenous harm reduction and sexual health, for people accessing services.
- Advocate through presentations, sessions, workshops and training to Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers and institutions to increase better quality of care for Indigenous service users accessing mainstream and Indigenous specific services.
- Lead the delivery of culturally appropriate services while building service volumes, specific to community needs, funding contracts, and best practices.
- Develop assessment methods to monitor the effectiveness of service delivery while maintaining policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to ensure that services are effective.
- Network and collaborate locally and regionally to ensure access to improved, culturally relevant, accepting and inclusive services and supports offered by Indigenous and non- Indigenous agencies/institutions, AIDS Service Organizations and individuals including Elders.
- Keep current with epidemiological and other statistics relevant to Indigenous people; new developments in the field such as vaccines, criminalization of HIV, new trends or sector changes affecting Indigenous access to care, treatment, support, etc.
- Supervise the delivery of services related to Indigenous harm reduction, universal precautions, modes of transmission, safer sex, cultural awareness, Indigenous history, Indigenous awareness, two-spirit awareness, youth-specific awareness, trans awareness, LGQBT awareness, women's awareness, sex-work, HIV and pregnancy, co-morbidities, methadone maintenance, opioid and pain management etc.
- Support community members when accessing drop-in services at Maamowiitaawigamig (Oahas-Elevate NWO partnered drop-in space) as well as Oahas Drop-in programming, including maintaining a safe and welcoming space, relationship building and active engagement with individuals, providing practical supports as available, providing harm reduction gear, delivering programming as determined by the team, cleaning and sanitizing the space, engaging in conflict resolution and crisis intervention as needed, and supporting service navigation and linkages to care by connecting people to external services and supports as requested.
- Oversee the development of the monthly calendar of events and workshops that will be provided as part of Maamowiitaawigamig services.
People Leadership and Supervision
- Supervise a staff team of 3-4 people and ensure there is appropriate staff scheduling for program and service delivery.
- Strengthen staff relations, supervise the building of service volume within assigned region.
- Lead the development of Indigenous harm reduction services in the region.
- Ensure staff and teams work effectively and efficiently towards meeting annual planning goals tied to the Oahas strategy. Work with staff to develop and implement work plans, and track progress.
- Manage related recruitment and supervision for the assigned team, including conducting hiring processes, assigning work responsibilities, providing orientation, training and ongoing coaching, support, and performance evaluation.
- Participate in team and management discussions and meetings aimed at strengthening services.
- Create an environment among staff team(s) that promotes trust, open communication, creative and analytical thinking and a cohesive team effort.
- Build collaboration and trust, communicate effectively, resolve problems, and respond to the concerns of staff and volunteers in adherence to policies and procedures.
Budgeting and Administration
- Prepare budgets and monitor expenses. Keeping within the parameters set by funding guidelines and the agency.
- Ensure service monitoring is completed, including tracking data, statistical analysis of data submission to funding partners as required. Coordinate data collection, and/or write reports.
- Engage in capacity and skill building sessions as required.
- Ensure proper file maintenance and records management.
- Provide leadership and direction for Board or staff committees, when required.
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
- Competency and deep understanding of Indigenous culture and ways, teachings, and history. Ideally, you are someone who is well along in their personal journey.
- Experience with the delivery of community-based, social services, health, or cultural services.
- Passion for nurturing culturally appropriate, community participation and modelling effective leadership within the Indigenous communities.
- Prefer a diploma or degree in a relevant field and/or a combination of related experience.
- Demonstrated 1-3 years of management experience along with ability to build trust, strengthen communication, create teamwork, establish partnerships on a regional level. Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and supervise staff and volunteers. Excellent personal and professional boundaries.
- Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and respect when communicating with the Indigenous communities, stakeholders, other agencies and external contacts.
- Strong planning, organizational and decision-making skills.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to work outside regular working hours as required, travel throughout the province will be required which may include evening and weekends.
- Valid Ontario G driver's license, reliable vehicle, and relevant insurance.
- Ability to speak an Indigenous language is an asset.
Oahas is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build an inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities in which we live. To this end, we strongly encourage applications from persons with lived experience with drug use, sex work, homelessness, street involvement; those living with HIV/HCV; members of 2SLGBTQ communities, Indigenous people, members of diverse ethno-cultural communities, and persons with dis/abilities.