Volunteer Peer Support Lead

Role Summary

The Volunteer Peer Support Lead will supervise and provide guidance to 2 to 3 volunteer peer support workers, who will deliver 45-minute 1-on-1 virtual peer support sessions with adults who have experienced technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The Volunteer Peer Support Lead will provide session guidance, offer educational resources and will deliver virtual training to support the peer support workers’ development. The Volunteer Peer Support Lead will also ensure that the peer support worker and the program attendees comply with the DSVSC code of conduct, policies and procedures.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST PASS A CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

Description

The Digital Sexual Violence Support Centre (DSVSC) is a Canadian, survivor-led and volunteer-run non-profit that offers peer support, workshops, research, and events to support adults who have experienced technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). Examples of TFSV can include online sexual harassment, doxxing, intimate image abuse, cyber-stalking, and the creation of sexual deepfake images and videos.

The DSVSC is based in Ontario, Canada and operates on a virtual basis.

Timing/workload: 10-14 hours per month

Minimum commitment: 6 months

Location: Virtual/remote in Canada

ALL MEETINGS ARE SET IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME

****This position is exclusively open to those living in Canada.

**Lived experience of technology-facilitated sexual violence is required

Program Context:

The Digital Sexual Violence Support Centre (DSVSC) is looking for a Volunteer Peer Support Lead to oversee 2- 3 volunteer peer support workers in running our individual peer support sessions.

The 2nd component of our program involves offering individual sessions, where victims/survivors will meet with a Volunteer Peer Support Worker on a 1 on 1 basis. During these virtual peer support sessions, the Volunteer Peer Support Worker will practice active and trauma-informed listening and offer suggested financial, legal or housing related support to the survivor.

Session Process

The individual peer support sessions will be held in a virtual private meeting room via Zoom. The participants of the individual session will sign up for an appointment time through our website (www.thedsvsc.ca/programs). Our current peer support program is available to adult survivors of technology-facilitated sexual violence living in Canada.

During the sessions, the peer support workers can support participants in offer guidance related to developing healthy coping mechanisms to navigate sexual trauma, reporting options, process their thoughts while using coloring sheets, or access referrals to other wraparound supports including temporary housing, financial and employment support (for those experiencing job loss and unsafe housing).

Responsibilities:

• Deliver live virtual training sessions for the Volunteer Peer Support Workers, which includes reviewing plausible session scenarios and offering resources related to de-escalation, grounding and supporting session participants
• Oversee the peer support workers’ development of an internal resource repository for our participants
• Implementing the boundaries and guidelines for peer support, while instructing the peer support workers to adhere to the DSVSC’s code of conduct
• Maintaining accurate de-brief records and related program participant information as required
• Support the Volunteer Peer Support Workers in providing our individual session attendees with appropriate referrals to local service agencies as required (e.g. warmlines, emergency phone lines, free municipal counselling services)
• Coordinate monthly team meetings and individual check-ins with the peer support workers to provide feedback, encouragement and support on their progress and address any challenges that they are facing during sessions
• Support the peer support workers in practicing self-reflection to address how their personal biases and assumptions can impact their client care
• Facilitate virtual (and in-person where possible) speaking engagements to raise awareness and understanding of the DSVSC’s peer support program
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to develop a project plan for the peer support program, set program KPI’s and evaluate the program’s success
• Assist in contributing to program marketing and promotion efforts by sharing about the DSVSC with your network virtually and in-person, where possible
• Ensures that peer support workers and clients comply with the DSVSC’s policies and procedures and notifying the Human Resources Lead and Executive Director if there are policy violations
• Provides constructive and timely feedback to the peer support workers
• Participate in the selection, hiring and onboarding of new volunteer peer support workers
• Help review and update peer support program specific policies and documents as required to ensure they promote a non-clinical service environment and are up to standards
• Identify the strengths, weakness and opportunities for the DSVSC to enhance the peer support program delivery and vocalize these suggestions during the regular check-ins with the Executive Director

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing or Counseling or a related discipline.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Knowledge of peer support programs and services in Canada
• Previous training in Peer Support Work (Ex. Core Skills SHH/TEACH, Core Essentials OPDI)

Qualifications:

• Demonstrates patience and understanding, when coordinating debrief sessions and regular meeting with the volunteer peer support workers
• Previous experience providing supervision and leadership to peer support workers, social work, clinical psychology, and mental health practitioner students.
• Previous experience working with clients facing gender-based violence, sexual violence, or intimate partner violence
• Comfortable working with Google Drive, Zoom, Slack messaging and Doodle/Google Calendar scheduling software
• Committed to maintaining up-to-date knowledge on TFSV examples, case studies and strategies to support survivors of sexual violence and gender-based violence
• Empathetic, welcoming and applies a trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors and colleagues
• Demonstrates a commitment to anti-oppressive frameworks, equity and intersectionality
• Comfortable exchanging and incorporating feedback from the peer support workers and the Executive Director
• Capable of effectively communicating verbally and in writing to program participants, peer support workers and other DSVSC volunteers
• Open to learning about technology-facilitated sexual violence