At YWCA Metro Vancouver, we are committed to Truth and Reconciliation. This includes understanding, acknowledging and addressing our complicity in historic and ongoing colonial practices; enhancing cultural safety for Indigenous participants, volunteers and employees; deepening our relationships with host First Nations; and advocating for justice and equity alongside Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people. We are committed to deepening our efforts to centre Indigenous knowledge, culture and values across all YWCA programs and services. 

To help us advance these commitments, we are seeking a Specialist to work in collaboration with the Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement. In this role, you will help implement initiatives spanning advocacy, relationships building and program and organizational development. 

What you’ll be doing: 

Relationship Building and Outreach 

• Connect with Indigenous communities and organizations to assess needs and opportunities for partnership and collaboration. 

• Develop and maintain meaningful, trust-based and ongoing relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities. 

• Collaborate across the organization to help implement the Indigenous partnership strategy, and support community engagement initiatives, as applicable. 

• Participate in the YWCA’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee. 

Support for Advocacy 

• Monitor local, provincial and federal issues of relevance to the YWCA and Indigenous communities and support response or action. 

• As part of a team, help coordinate outreach and communications with host First Nations. 

• Track communications for follow-up, where needed. 

Program Development and Evaluation 

• Collaborate to develop key priorities in support of truth and reconciliation. 

• Help implement new ways to measure outcomes across programs. 

• As part of a team, support learning and capacity building to advance Truth and Reconciliation. 

• Support community listening and research to inform initiatives. 

Coordination and Administration 

• Work collaboratively with program and fund development teams to help with applications for new projects and initiatives and respond to funding opportunities. 

• Work collaboratively with the marketing communications team to create awareness and public education campaigns in support of Truth and Reconciliation and equity and justice for Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people. 

• Work collaboratively on events in support of Truth and Reconciliation. 

• Support the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement with administrative tasks, e.g., writing reports, tracking spending, drafting communications etc. 

• Work on special projects, as required. 

What you’ll need: 

• Lived experience as an Indigenous person. 

• 1-3 years in a similar role or equivalent experience. 

• Experience engaging and building relationships with Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations and First Nations. 

• Commitment to working in partnership to help change systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people. 

• Project coordination experience is considered an asset. 

• Effective administrative skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. 

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

• The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination from COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties. 

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: $34.40 per hour  

• 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. 

• Pro-rated, paid vacation equal to 22 days per annum, accrued monthly in accordance with the YWCA’s leave regulations