Capacity Developer 0.8FTE

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Capacity Developers are responsible for working with community groups around issues that affect their health and wellbeing. These issues include social determinants of health such as poverty, housing and social isolation from a health equity lens. The Capacity Developers work with the community to identify needs, capacities and to develop strategies and implement action.

The positions are also responsible for supporting Centre-wide health promotion and community development activities. The Capacity Developers conduct community needs assessments and coordinate, develop, monitor and evaluate community development and community-led health promotion initiatives within the framework of the WOCRC’s priorities and strategic direction. Responsibility for the implementation of initiatives rests with program/service teams

The Capacity Developers work in collaboration with each other, the Executive Director, the Senior Managers and the rest of the Centre team to identify and address trends and community needs.

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre operates under the following guiding beliefs:

• Empowerment
• Equity
• Partnership
• Innovation

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Job Specific Responsibilities:

1. Streams Focus

Participating in internal and external meetings as required ensuring coordination of service.

Youth Stream:

1. The Youth Capacity Developer will identify and support issues related to youth ages 6 years and up, their families and their communities.
2. Support our diverse youth with issues including but not limited to bullying, homelessness, addictions and mental health and gender identity and expression.

Rural and Urban Streams:

1. The rural and urban Capacity Developers will address and support unique issues related to rural and urban communities.
2. Support issues such as social isolation, mental health and addictions, and homelessness

2. Advocacy

1. Identifies advocacy issues, promotes the development of leadership and advocacy skills amongst members of the community and with the organization and Board of Directors
2. Establishes and maintains links with and develops partnerships with other resources.
3. Works with the coalition of Community Health and Resource Centre’s and other broad-based community networks to participate in advocacy and political action.
4. Works with politicians in collaboration with the Executive Director to achieve strategic goals and objectives of the organization.
5. Represents WOCRC on internal and external committees as required.
6. Participates in broad based community planning and development.
7. Participates in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services and issues affecting the community.
8. Promotes participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate on identified topics/issues.

3. Growth of Strategic Partnerships

1. Using the strategic plan and objectives, maintains an environmental scan on opportunities and brings forward these opportunities to the centre via the Senior Leadership Team.
2. Identify and develop strategies to support local community development initiatives. This may include writing and developing proposals for program fund development, and supporting community groups to develop proposals.
3. Participate in local and regional /groups/committees/coalitions whose mandates relate to the identified community issues

4. Connecting and Participating in the Community

1. Develops strategies that contribute to strengthening individuals and communities; through, community development, and facilitation.
2. Supports and participates in community groups/coalitions/committees that support and/or promote the health of communities.
3. Supports the design and development of community needs assessments.
4. Coordinates, develops, implements, monitors and supports the evaluation of programs in response to identified needs under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team as per the centres defined priorities.
5. Maintains an awareness of community health issues, and connections with key community organizations (community associations, politicians, etc.) and remains current with events in the Ottawa area that impact on community health and well being;
6. Identifies and facilitates the development of programs and/or services for members of the community addressing the identified need; Responsibility for the implementation of initiatives rests with program/service teams
7. Coordination of health promotion strategies across the organization and in community
8. Acts as a resource person and provides linkages with associations and agencies within the community; and with residents and groups to enable them to identify needs and link to the broader community resources.

5. Project Management and Evaluation

1. Participates in WOCRC evaluation processes;
2. Prepares and maintains all necessary documentation and statistics related to community development activities on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
3. Supports and oversees project management of assigned projects;

Other:

1. Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures.
2. Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health.
3. Incorporating and strengthening collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork.
4. Respecting and valuing the diversity of communities and individuals.
5. Contributing to the Centre’s activities to collect, analyse and report on data and relevant information, and participate in research.
6. Maintaining relevant skill sets, and where applicable, a professional licence to practice.
7. Supporting the Centre’s student and volunteer placement programs.
8. Promoting awareness of and participation in Centre activities.
9. Contributing to the Centre’s work by participating in meetings and committees.
10. Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.
11. Participating in the Centre’s efforts to enhance its capacity through staff development.
12. Working in a manner that complies with all of the Centre’s Policies and Procedures, and promotes a safe, secure and healthy environment, and participates in all mandated training as required
13. Perform other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

1. Undergraduate degree in health or social sciences or an equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
2. Three to five years experience in community development/health promotion working with the populations and demographics as assigned.
3. Working knowledge of community development values, principles and the political process.
4. Demonstrated ability to work with communities in a manner consistent with the Health Equity and Inclusion Lens
5. An understanding of issues experienced by rural and suburban populations including seniors, families and youth.
6. Experience in needs analysis, monitoring and evaluation.
7. Proven abilities in the area of community organizing, conflict resolution, and advocacy.
8. Training and experience in-group facilitation and public speaking.
9. Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa;

Competencies:

1. Strong critical analysis, problem solving, planning and decision making skills
2. Ability to develop and implement programs using an inter-disciplinary collaborative approach
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
4. Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team environment
5. Demonstrated ability to work within an Equity inclusion framework
6. Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention;
7. Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of a feminist and anti-oppression framework;

Computer Competencies

1. Strong computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
2. Ability to utilize technology for meetings and trainings

Language:

1. Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written.
2. Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written, minimum one of the three positions
3. Other languages reflective of the community we serve an asset.

Other:

1. Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required, including $2 million in liability insurance