Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Project Coordinator (Full-Time Contract)

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Project Coordinator (Full-Time Contract)

The Canadian Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) project is coordinating a multi-agency response to high-risk domestic violence in three communities. The Canadian MARAC is a multi-agency meeting that brings together community agencies to share information on high-risk domestic violence cases. Based on the risks and needs identified by the survivor and professionals around the table, a safety plan is developed for the survivor that includes actions by community agencies to increase the survivor’s safety. The Canadian MARAC is an adaptation of the MARAC that was developed in Wales in 2003 and is now in place in more than 250 communities across the United Kingdom. The model has shown to reduce repeat victimization, increase survivor safety and connect survivors with the support and services they need. WomanACT is leading the pilot implementation of the Canadian MARAC in communities across Ontario.

Ernestine's is seeking a Project Coordinator to lead the implementation of MARAC Project.

Ernestine’s Shelter is a community-based organization providing safety, advocacy, and support to women, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals, youth, and children experiencing gender-based violence. Grounded in a solidarity model, Ernestine’s acknowledges the complex realities facing survivors of abuse and delivers crisis intervention alongside a range of holistic, trauma-informed services.

The MARAC Project Coordinator is part of a pilot initiative working within a collaborative, multi-agency team to provide meaningful, survivor-centered services to individuals currently experiencing or who have experienced gender-based violence and who have intersecting mental-health and/or harmreduction support needs. Services are delivered to individuals living throughout the Greater Toronto Area, with a primary focus on the Rexdale communities. The role is responsible for coordinating MARAC case reviews and facilitating equitable, appropriate referrals through participation in the Rexdale FOCUS Toronto Situation Table, ensuring timely and coordinated responses to clients identified as being at elevated risk of intimate partner violence.

In collaboration with WomanACT and community partners, the MARAC Project Coordinator leads the implementation, coordination, and sustainability of the Canadian Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) enhancement model. This includes strengthening coordinated community responses to high-risk intimate partner violence through survivor-centered coordination, ethical information sharing, integrated risk-assessment alignment, cross-sector partnership development, staff and partner training, and data collection and evaluation activities. All work is grounded in traumainformed, anti-racist, feminist, 2SLGBTQ+-affirming, and harm-reduction frameworks to ensure services are inclusive, culturally safe, and responsive to the diverse needs of survivors.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include but not limited to):

COMMUNITY NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIP (45%)

• Lead the development and maintenance of cross-sector partnerships across police, child welfare, health, housing, mental-health, harm-reduction, and violence against women (VAW) services to strengthen coordinated community responses.
• Support the development, implementation, and renewal of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), referral agreements, and partnership protocols to ensure prioritized, streamlined access to services for survivors.
• Lead the creation, maintenance, and dissemination of a community service map of gender-based violence, mental-health, and harm-reduction programs to support a prioritized access model for partner agencies.
• Identify, cultivate, and sustain collaborative partnerships with aligned organizations—particularly within the gender-based violence, mental-health and harm-reduction sectors—to address service gaps and emerging survivor needs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends, best practices, and community developments in the gender-based violence, mental-health, child-protection, housing, policing, and harm-reduction sectors through participation in professional development activities, training, conferences, and sector working groups.

INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT (35%)

• Lead the implementation of the MARAC model at the Rexdale FOCUS Toronto Situation Table, ensuring fidelity to standardized protocols and best practices.
• Coordinate and oversee the intake and assessment process within the Rexdale FOCUS Toronto Situation Table to ensure referrals are equitable, timely, trauma-informed, and aligned with MARAC protocols.
• Support partner agencies with case screening, risk identification, and assessment processes to ensure consistent application of the MARAC enhancement model.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to ensure coordinated and appropriate referrals to internal and external services across the health, mental-health, harm-reduction, and child-protection sectors.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of referral pathways throughout the Greater Toronto Area, with particular emphasis on Rexdale community resources.

CRISIS SUPPORT AND SHORT-TERM COUNSELLING (15%)

• Coordinate crisis responses with Rexdale FOCUS Situation Table and MARAC partner agencies to ensure timely, safe, and survivor-centered interventions for individuals identified as being at elevated or imminent risk.
• Support the consistent use of validated intimate partner violence (IPV) risk-assessment tools across participating agencies and ensure alignment with MARAC escalation and response protocols.
• Facilitate coordinated, multi-agency safety planning for high-risk cases, ensuring survivor autonomy, informed consent, and cultural safety are upheld in all response efforts.
• Monitor cases for escalating risk and identify systemic service gaps, advocating for timely service connections and cross-sector problem-solving to reduce barriers to survivor safety and support.

OTHER (5%)

• Under the direction of the Supervisor, Programs and Client Services, participate in community committees, networks, and sector initiatives addressing systemic issues related to gender-based violence, mental health, and harm reduction.
• Compile and submit quarterly reports and evaluation data to support pilot monitoring, continuous improvement, and funder reporting requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum three years’ experience working in a counselling capacity with women, Two- Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and children/youth who have experienced sexual abuse and/or violence in relationships.
• Knowledge of the impact of systemic marginalization on individuals and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and dis/ability.
• Post-secondary education and previous front-line shelter work is required.
• Demonstrated crisis intervention, risk assessment and management and case management skills.
• Demonstrated competencies in communication, innovation, creative problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, accountability and strategic and collaborative thinking.
• Demonstrated organizational ability and time management skills to handle caseload requirements, set priorities, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation.
• Experience working within a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population.
• Excellent professional & empathetic communication and conflict management skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to client’s immediate needs effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
• Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Fluency in a second language considered an asset.
• Valid vulnerable check and CPR.

Position Details

Job Type: Full-time, 15 month contract

Hours: 35 hours per week, flexible schedule

Salary: $60,000 – $65,000 annually (prorated to term of contract), two-weeks paid vacation, plus benefits.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you, please send your resume and cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the role.

Please include “MARAC Project Coordinator” in the subject line.

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter upholds the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Code. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, Indigenous and individuals with disabilities to apply.

If contacted, please advise if you require accommodation at any juncture of the recruitment and/or hiring process.

Application deadline: March 15th, 2026 by 5P