YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Aspire is a specialized employment program designed to support racialized newcomer women, particularly refugees and survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, Aspire addresses systemic employment barriers such as discrimination, cultural misunderstandings, and language challenges, offering services in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for participants. By providing employment counseling, job readiness workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the program fosters meaningful labour market attachment. Aspire also collaborates with anti-violence providers, employers, and community organizations to create inclusive workspaces and reduce migration stress. The program provides participants with the following components: outreach information and orientation, networking events with alumni, employers, and guest speaking events, employment coaching, workshops and mentorship opportunities, and Indigenous newcomer connections. Participants will receive access to childcare, transportation support, and digital support.  

Reporting to the Manager of Aspire, the Career Advisor works directly with racialized newcomer women in British Columbia, particularly refugees and survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), to support their career development by expanding their professional networks and leveraging knowledge of newcomer experiences in the labor market. The role involves delivering one-on-one and group-based skills-building workshops, both in person and virtually, while connecting with employers and organizations across industries to identify job opportunities, create placements, and engage mentors and guest speakers. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Actively participant in recruitment, the participant intake process, needs assessments, eligibility screening, registration and referrals to community services. 

• Conduct career assessments and planning for racialized newcomer women seeking labour market integration in the labour market. 

• Engage with local community members, employers, contributors and program partners to enhance the program visibility and impact. 

• Engage with internal programs and external settlement services to provide integrated support for participants. 

• Collaborate with initiatives such as YWCA’s Engage Mentorship Program, Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, WorkBC, and other services for newcomers, refugees, and immigrants. 

• Represent the program at events and actively engage with employers to foster partnerships and create placement opportunities for participants. 

• Stay informed about hiring trends and initiatives to support newcomer job seekers. 

• Assist in curriculum development and workshop design, seeking regular feedback through participant surveys to improve services. 

• Play an active role in the utilization and expansion of the YWCA’s learning management system (LMS), Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IECBC) specialized online platforms, and Fast Track to Employment. 

• Facilitate employability and job search workshops, and other participant activities in person and virtually, using hybrid technology, including various online Learning Management Systems (LMS’s). 

• Apply a participant-centered, SGBV approach, using an intersectional GBA+ lens to all participant interactions and activities. 

• Help participants identify and achieve employment goals, set realistic career plans and follow up on action steps through skillful career coaching and development skills. 

• Assist participants in developing their professional brand (e.g., LinkedIn, online portfolios).  

• Support participants with attendance, time management and collaborative communication skills. 

• Encourage participant engagement employer events, hiring fairs and job postings. 

• Engage with the program’s alumnae community through email, phone, Zoom meetings, and LinkedIn; connect participants with alumnae, professional groups and employers for informational interviews, industry insights, learning opportunities and job leads. 

• Able to handle a large case load of clients with multiple barriers.   

• Facilitate mentor-mentee matches, from introductions to follow-up, including informational interviews. 

• Implement mentor recruitment, reaching out sector professionals and onboarding new mentors. 

• Participate in weekly case conferences to discuss participant and employer matters, such as participants’ evolving job search needs and supporting their pursuit of sustainable careers that align with their skills and experience. 

• Regular reporting on participant progress to the Program Manager, including employment status, connections, mentorship matches and job shadowing opportunities. 

• Contribute to project outcomes and improvement through participant surveys and success stories; assisting the Program Manager with narrative reporting as needed. 

• Support in researching and securing opportunity placements for participants and maintaining employer relationships. 

• Collaborate with staff, leaders, and colleagues to advance the YWCA’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and strategic priorities. 

• Maintain accurate, timely participant records while upholding strict confidentiality. 

• Collaborate with the Program Manager and YWCA’s marketing team to ensure the program’s social media presence accurately reflects its vibrancy, while remaining current for marketing, outreach, and engagement purposes 

• Maintain accurate mentorship records, including outreach and matching activities. 

• Perform administrative tasks related to mentor applications and onboarding. 

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding participant information and data security. 

• Contribute to special projects and other duties as assigned. 

• Other duties as required  

What you’ll need: 

• A post-secondary certificate, degree or diploma in a relevant field (e.g., career or employment development, vocational rehabilitation, social work, psychology, sociology, human services, counselling, education or human resources management.) 

• 1-2 years of demonstrated work experience delivering facilitation, career coaching, career advising and/or placement services 

• A second language will be considered an asset (preferably Spanish-speaking)  

• Strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by racialized newcomer women in the labor market, particularly refugees and survivors of SGBV, with an ability to apply an intersectional GBA+ lens in all participant interactions 

• Proven ability to engage and build long-term relationships with employers, identifying job opportunities, placements, and fostering partnerships. 

• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative, prioritize, plan and manage tasks to deliver timely, effective results. 

• Strong professional communication and research skills with keen attention to detail. 

• Effective relationship builder with a proven track record in establishing connections and networking. 

• Skilled facilitator experienced in engaging racialized newcomer self-identifying women in virtual and in-person small to medium groups. 

• Proven experience in delivering employment programs for racialized newcomer women, including mentorship, employment recruiting and career coaching. 

• Strong computer skills, including SharePoint, MS Teams, Zoom, LMS, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, Eventbrite, and online platforms. 

• Advanced social media skills for participants’ job search (e.g., LinkedIn). 

• Proficiency in hybrid learning models and learning management systems (LMS), with a strong ability to use digital platforms for both in-person and virtual program delivery 

• Engage in ongoing professional development relating to SGBV and GBA+. 

• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding data security standards in accordance with privacy policies. 

• Willingness to travel within Metro Vancouver for employer outreach and meetings.  

• Must be able to work at the physical office location during office hours to deliver in-person participant services. 

• Commitment to YWCA Metro Vancouver’s mission and values, including supporting racialized newcomer women and promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility 

• A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.  

What we offer:  We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package: 

• Extended medical and dental benefits  

• A defined benefit pension plan 

• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions 

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members 

• Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres 

• Pay Rate: $30.55 

• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.