The Survivors of Violence (SOV) Hub is a coordinated employment support model designed to reduce barriers and increase economic stability for women and gender-diverse survivors of violence. Grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and participant-centered practice, the Hub brings together two flexible service streams – one for 1:1 first language services, and the other for hybrid cohorts. By integrating individualized and cohort-based services within one Hub, the program strengthens access, consistency, and outcomes for participants navigating complex barriers related to safety, trauma, language, caregiving and systemic inequities. 

Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager (SOM) for the Survivors of Violence (SOV) Hub, the Peer Mentorship Career Advisor will work as part of a team providing participants with a safe space to learn and understand the impact of violence and abuse on employability. The Hub will assist participants in overcoming the impacts of trauma and move from surviving to thriving. Working as part of a multi-faceted team, the SOV Peer Mentorship Career Advisor will focus on sourcing and coordinating micro-mentorship activities for employment program participants, with a focus on supporting self-identifying SOV newcomer women. The program will work to reduce barriers for participants to access employers and other professionals to enhance their networking and interview skills, learn about employment opportunities, and receive valuable industry guidance, while also supporting overall program delivery by moving between the streams as directed by the SOM.

Working with SOV Hub programs, Volunteer Services, program participants and their established goals, the Peer Mentorship Career Advisor will ensure that a targeted number of participants receive connections to industry professionals for micro-mentorship activities, including but not limited to: informational interviews, mock interviews, work place visits and guest speaker sessions on a variety of career development and labour market topics. This also includes connecting participants with past Axis Alumni for mentorship opportunities.

The Peer Mentorship Career Advisor, reporting to the SOV Hub Senior Operations Manager, will demonstrate coordination and leadership skills, providing coordination and support to volunteers and program participants in the Mentorship Program. You will also have a proven track record of connecting to community through outreach within BC.

What you’ll be doing: 

• Working with SOV Hub programs and Volunteer Services to support participant employment goals by providing access to micro-mentorship activities
• Connect participants with volunteers, program alumni, professional groups and employers for informational interviews, industry insights, networking and learning opportunities, work place tours, and job opportunities. 
• Update and maintain documentation to match program participants to available volunteers, employers and other industry professionals for individual or group mentorship activities
• Plan and host mentorship activity events such as meet & greets, mock interview practice sessions, workplace tours and other workshops and guest speakers.
• Assess and monitor participant involvement, facilitate goal setting and provide feedback on participant marketing tools such as resumes, and communication with mentors.
• Collaborate with YWCA Volunteer Services to implement recruitment and screening to prepare external stakeholders and participants for activities
• Facilitate individual and group orientation sessions with participants, employers and volunteers
• Conduct outreach with companies and community organizations to secure mentorship opportunities
• Track activities and progress of participants, maintain participant records, provide monthly reporting of overall program activities
• Host networking and guest speaker events for employers, mentors, YWCA Alumni and participants
• Regularly communicate with the mentorship matches to provide support, to problem solve and to monitor for safety.
• Facilitate matches between mentors and mentees, including introductions and follow up, post micro-mentorship activities.
• Promote the program both internally and externally to engage mentors and participants
• Stay informed about hiring trends and initiatives to support a diverse group job-seekers, including newcomers, women, and others with barriers to stable employment
• Work with program managers and staff teams; conduct focus groups to determine program, participant and volunteer needs to plan meaningful activities
• Collect feedback, testimonials and administer YWCA BC satisfaction surveys from participants, employers and community groups
• Support Axis Research for program effectiveness, by engaging participants in Focus group activities and data collection
• Work collaboratively within the community and YWCA BC to create resource partnerships addressing issues related to violence, abuse, trauma.  
• Conduct specialized outreach in the community to recruit employers, mentors and Alumni to engage in services.   
• Participate in weekly case conferencing with program staff to discuss participant and employer issues, and placement opportunities.  
• Maintain accurate participant records and confidentiality, as per YWCA and CARF International standards  
• Provide outcome reporting for the service stream(s), according to the schedule set by the Hub SOM; provide supplemental information to stakeholders and others (e.g., program researchers, YWCA leadership) as requested.  
• Liaise with other community and external stakeholders to promote and engage issues specific to immigrant women who are survivors of violence.  
• Recruit employers for work experience engagement and activities, job openings through internal resources, cold calls and emails; screen potential employee referrals for employers.  
• Other duties as required. 

Assets (nice-to-have):

• Experience working in a hub-based, multi-site, or multi-stream operational structure.  
• Lived experience relevant to the communities served is considered an asset. 
• CCDP or other relevant certification.  

What you’ll need: 

• Relevant post-secondary education and/or a combination of relevant education and work experience; and 1-2 years combined experience in Career Advising/Employment Counselling and Peer Mentoring
• Career coaching, recruiting, or volunteer management experience
• Proficiency in English, with strong professional communication skills (verbal and written)
• Event management and hosting experience for both in person and virtual events
• Experience writing participant notes and keeping accurate files and records  
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and create and implement new activities
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as individually
• Cultural Competence, self awareness towards cultural differences, practices including cross-cultural skills
• Confidence in fostering strong working relationships with internal staff, various partners and stakeholders to ensure cooperation and effective information flow between programs/departments
• Knowledge of issues and barriers faced by women and newcomers to Canada
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen to participant inquiries, understand their needs, and provide appropriate guidance
• Understanding of community resources and wrap-around supports available to program participants 
• Advanced computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), SharePoint, OneDrive
• Ability to coordinate and deliver meetings on virtual video conferencing platforms and in person
• Must be empathetic, reliable, well-organized, detail-oriented, excellent follow-through skills
• Self-starter: the ability to take initiative, and maintain effective and professional work habits (i.e. prioritize, plan and manage work; punctuality) to produce timely and effective results 
• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations and delivering a trauma-informed approach   
• Comprehensive understanding of issues and barriers faced by survivors of violence, including immigrant and refugee women.
• Strong understanding of, and commitment to continuously developing, community resources and wraparound supports available to program participants.
• Certification or training such as ‘Bridges to Safety’ or other relevant training for trauma informed practices.   
• Proficiency in Zoom and Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Word, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Must be able to work in person during office hours at the YWCA program location. 
• A valid Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) is required.
• GBA+ Training, to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs, and initiatives.

What we offer:  

We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total rewards package:  

• Extended medical and dental benefits     
• A defined benefit pension plan (MPP)  
• Pregnancy, parental and adoption leave top up
• 22 vacation days and 3 personal days
• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members   
• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions   
• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and well-being, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our employee mentorship program and three equity committees that help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.  
• Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre  
• Discounts at our Hotel Willo
• Priority in YWCA Child Care centres 

Pay Rate: $31.94 per hour