Women’s Outreach Worker Posting

Position Title: Women’s Outreach Coordinator

Position Type: Full time (35 hours a week)

Job Region: Ottawa

Application Deadline:  4:00 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2014

Since 1985, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) has worked to empower people living with HIV/AIDS and the PHA (persons with HIV/AIDS) community in Ottawa by promoting the well-being and quality of life of those living with or closely affected by HIV/AIDS.

The successful candidate for this position will bring to the job: a sex positive approach to HIV prevention; experience in social justice issues including working knowledge of the social determinants of health and the impact on those living with and at risk of HIV; an understanding and  respect for the diversity of women; belief and experience working within an anti-racist/anti-oppression framework; a willingness to advocate for women’s holistic health needs at a community and a provincial level; knowledge of working with women in the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities:

• Reports directly to the Manager of Education and Prevention, working in collaboration with the Women’s Community Developer and the Education and Prevention team.
• Ensure that HIV + women are engaged/involved in all aspects of the development and delivery of prevention programs for women in Ottawa.
• Coordinate health promotion workshops, information sessions and groups for positive women and women at high risk including women in the sex trade, women who use injection drugs, women experiencing mental health and women living in poverty.
  • Coordinate the logistics of Voices for Women’s Health- ACOs annual Women’s Health Forum.
  • Participate in relevant community meetings and community events.
  • Draw on relevant research and EPI data to inform program development, which reduces isolation and supports the health, safety, social needs, self-determination and human rights of women.
  • Provide HIV prevention and harm reduction information, education and resources to women who are incarcerated in the Ottawa area through outreach services at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.
  • Participate in various coalitions in Ottawa to build partnerships that support the expansion and creation of relevant programs and services; reducing barriers to service provisions for women.
  • Participate in community-based research.

• Implement appropriate evaluation tools to ensure services are relevant and effectively address the needs of women in Ottawa.

• Commit to continued skills development relevant to the position.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Work experience: minimum of two years working in the field of HIV prevention, health  promotion, criminology or women’s studies.
• Education:   Diploma or undergraduate degree, or equivalent related experience in social and/or health services.
• Language:   Fluency in English. Fluency in French and/or other languages is a strong  asset.

Knowledge of:

• Principles  of harm reduction and positive prevention.
• Substance  use, including why/how people use, drug culture in Ottawa, and how using relates to HIV.
• Health  promotion and HIV prevention strategies and interventions for women.
• Social  determinants of health and the impact on women’s lives.
• The   impact that criminalization has on women’s lives.
• Anti-oppression  and anti-racism; the impact of structural and social oppression on access to  services, as well as personal and community health.
• The  complexities of sexual, cultural, religious, gender and language  identities; understanding of unique considerations when working with  diverse women’s communities.
• Social   and structural factors that impact health outcomes for women.

Skills:

• Self-motivated,   able to set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Ability  to work independently and in a team environment.
• Effective  written and oral communication skills.
• Facilitation  with diverse audiences.
• Program  management and project evaluation.
• Ability to work in non-conventional  settings, such as prisons, the street and shelters.
• Experience  working with volunteers.

Personal Suitability:

• Sex-positive  and drug-positive attitude.
• Anti-oppressive  and anti-racist perspectives and understanding.
• Comfortable discussing all sexual topics  and practices.
• Willing  to be flexible in working schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Must be  comfortable conducting outreach to women at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

In your cover letter please discuss please discuss the challenges and opportunities that are relevant when working within an anti-racism anti oppressive framework.

We thank all who apply, however, only candidates who are short listed will be contacted for an interview.

Please submit your cover letter and CV, preferably in electronic (MS Word or PDF) format. The deadline to apply for this position is 4:00 pm, Friday, May 23, 2014

Heather Money

Manager of Education and Prevention

womens.health@aco-cso.ca

AIDS Committee of Ottawa

251 Bank Street, Suite 700

Ottawa, ON   K2P 1X3

Fax: 613-238-3425