AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi‐disciplinary community-based organization providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence‐based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org
ROLE SUMMARY
This role will work in collaboration with the Senior Director, Victoria to support the organisations efforts in provide equitable harm reduction based health care for Indigenous People in the South Island. The role will provide guidance and support to AVI’s Victoria based programs and services in addressing the unique needs of indigenous people. The role will also support the building of relationships with local indigenous governments, communities and organisations. The role will play a key part in ensuring our services are culturally sensitive, respectful and inclusive. This role will also work in collaboration with the Director of Culture and Community Services role in Courtenay and Campbell River.
Join the supportive, dedicated and client-centred team at AVI in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV, substance use and mental health issues by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based substance use, mental health, education, prevention and support services.
ABOUT YOU:
We are looking for someone with Indigenous identity who works from a strong relational perspective, is supportive, empathetic and able to uphold AVI’s values of harm reduction, social justice, trauma-informed care and cultural humility with staff and people accessing our services. This role is also expected to collaborate and contribute to the development of organizational strategies, policies and practices of the programs and the agency as a whole.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties will be developed in collaboration with the successful applicant and may include the following:
- Leadership and Team Support
- Collaborate with the Senior Director to ensure that principles of Indigenous harm reduction are reflected within AVI’s broader harm reduction services in Victoria
- Collaborate with agency leaders to address issues of systemic racism that arise from AVI programming and service provision.
- Work alongside and provide support to Indigenous staff
- Model a high degree of cultural competency to staff with the goal of ensuring services are culturally relevant and incorporate Indigenous knowledge, practices, and approaches to healing and wellness
- Facilitate opportunities for staff to engage directly with Indigenous communities through cultural events, ceremonies, and community gatherings
- Stakeholder Engagement, Advocacy and Training
- Coordinate training opportunities for AVI staff and management about Indigenized harm reduction and Indigenous cultural safety
- In collaboration with the Director of Human Resources, address barriers to the hiring and development of Indigenous staff members and ensure their representation in leadership and decision-making roles within the organization.
- Establish mechanisms for collecting feedback from Indigenous clients, community members, and stakeholders on the cultural competence of services.
- Use feedback to make recommendations to inform adjustments to agency practices as needed.
- Collaborate with Indigenous communities, organizations, and stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives are integrated into strategic planning and decision-making processes
- Ensure that harm reduction and safer supply initiatives are accessible to Indigenous communities, respecting cultural practices and addressing specific needs and preferences.
This is a framework for an evolving role and we are hoping the successful candidate will inform the ongoing development of the role.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Identify as Indigenous
- Demonstrated commitment to undoing colonization, nurturing cultural safety, advancing harm reduction, equity, and social justice, underpinned by a profound understanding of the historical and contemporary impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities.
- Leadership experience
- Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and organizations, and a commitment to centering Indigenous voices and perspectives
- Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and practices, including harm reduction, anti-racism, decolonization, combating stigma related to drug use, HIV, hepatitis C, and challenging gendered oppression, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong leadership abilities, with experience in guiding teams and supporting organisational change
- Knowledge of indigenising practices, and strategies, as well as cultural safety frameworks and principles, and experience integrating harm reduction approaches
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration
- Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate initiatives effectively
- Cultural competency and sensitivity, with a demonstrated ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Ability to communicate effectively across different mediums, including using standard computer programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams)
JOB SPECIFICS:
- Schedule: 37.5 hours/week, Monday to Friday including scheduled days at Victoria office locations every week as well as in the local community. Hours will be determined with the successful applicant
- Pay: $46.00 to $49.50/hour depending on experience
- Term: May 1st, 2024 and ending on March 31st, 2026
- Reporting: This position reports to the Senior Director, Victoria office
- Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is an Excluded Position.
- Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D on the 1st of the next month that starts after this position begins. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
- Pension: This position is immediately eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
- Other Perks: This position gets 8% vacation (equivalent to 4 weeks, prorated for part time), receives Stat In Lieu payments of 5% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation Banks are both accessible after your first 3 months at AVI.
- Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination.
- Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.
TO APPLY:
Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by April 29, 2024, 5pm
AVI is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.