Program Lead, Prevention Services

Nigignibi; Ontario; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization dedicated to child and family well-being is seeking a Program Lead. The successful candidate will oversee culturally appropriate programming for families within the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. This full-time role involves developing, implementing, and evaluating programs while promoting community engagement and cultural sensitivity. Join a dynamic team committed to fostering well-being and empowering the community.

Benefits

Employment benefits & pension plan

Paid sick, vacation, and special day leave

14 Provincial and Federal Statutory Holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years in related field.
• Experience with program development and implementation.
• At least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program delivery and develop community-specific initiatives.
• Provide leadership and support to program staff and coordinate services.
• Engage with the community to assess and fulfill child and family wellness needs.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Cultural Sensitivity

Education

Diploma in Social Services, Child & Youth Worker, Early Childhood Education

Job description

The Program Lead will oversee the Prevention Program Assistants, ultimately overseeing the delivery of culturally appropriate programing for children, youth and families with a wholistic approach that promotes and supports a healthy family lifestyle. This is a full-time position.

Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik Society is growing our team!

Join our dynamic and dedicated team as we continue to develop capacity within the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and greater unceded Algonquin territory. With our Child Well-being law, Nigig Nibi Ki-win, now fully in force, the community embraces a step in reconciliation by reclaiming jurisdiction over the safety and well-being of our children, youth and families.

We're looking for the right people to grow with the organization. Are you interested?

Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik is an organization that works to affect the development, implementation, administration, and operation of child and family well-being programs. This includes prevention and protection supports and services in accordance with Algonquin of Pikwakanagan First Nation’s child well-being law, Nigig Nibi Ki-win. The Program Lead(s) will be guided by principles set out in Nigig Nibi Ki-win, which includes incorporating nurturing care and cultural supports to prevention programming.

The Program Lead will oversee the Prevention Program Assistants, ultimately overseeing the delivery of culturally appropriate programing for children, youth and families with a wholistic approach that promotes and supports a healthy family lifestyle. This is a full-time position.

The Program Lead will play a pivotal role in leading our prevention efforts and ensuring the delivery of engaging, high-quality, culturally relevant and client-driven programming. Working closely with the Program Manager, the Program Lead will develop, implement and evaluate the success of prevention programs, in order to be responsive to the changing needs of Pikwakanagan ("AoPFN") children, youth, their families and the greater community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program and Service Delivery

• Develops and oversees the planning, coordination, staffing and implementation of individual and group programming according to community needs i.e. children, parents and families.
• Uncovers and provides opportunities for the enhancement and development of a positive cultural identity for children, youth, families, and communities served.
• Develops/creates and oversees the implementation of promotion and advertisement of programs and activities in collaboration with Nigig’s Communications Department.
• Documents the life of the program(s), including challenges and success’.
• Works with Program Support Staff to ensure the completion of all administrative duties and responsibilities including an inventory of materials & supplies, confirmation of location bookings, client transportation, etc.
• Provides oversight to all programming provided through the department.
• Collaborates with youth, families, elders and community members, as well as other Nigig staff/departments, to identify needs, priorities, and opportunities for appropriate programming needs.
• Ensures that programs are culturally appropriate, evidence-based, and responsive to the unique strengths and challenges of the community.

2. Collaborative Practice, Supervision and Leadership

• Works closely with Nigig's planning committees, programs and services to ensure quality program development and delivery in accordance with the organization’s mandate and community support objectives.
• Provides leadership, supervision, and support to Program Support Staff, ensuring they have the training, resources and guidance needed to effectively and safely carry out their roles.
• Promotes and fosters a positive and inclusive work environment that values cultural diversity, collaboration, and continuous learning and development.
• Conducts regular check-ins, performance evaluations, and professional development activities to support the growth and success of team members.

3. Community Development

• Identifies, assesses, and prioritizes family and child prevention and wellness needs with respect to programming initiatives.
• Oversees and participates actively in developing strategic plans for the department and annualized work plans.
• Oversees, participates and coordinates new prevention programming strategies and initiatives.
• Liaisons and networks with other departments at Nigig as well as within community.
• Participates on relevant community committees and in relevant meetings.
• Oversees the promotion of community awareness of prevention programs.
• Seeks and facilitates opportunities within the community to help build and nurture relationships with families.
• Assists in building and maintaining strong relationships with community leaders, Elders, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and maximize impact.
• Assists in facilitating community consultations, prevention program-related focus groups, and feedback sessions to ensure that programs are responsive to community needs and preferences.
• Identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration with external agencies and Algonquin Anishinaabeg communities, where this might be beneficial to enhancing program relevancy, sustainability and effectiveness.

4. Administrative

• In conjunction with the Program Manager, develops and integrates administrative policy(ies) and procedure(s) to oversee and implement engaging and culturally enhancing programming for children and youth and their families.
• Develops tools to ensure evidence-based program analysis and reporting.
• Completes all administrative reporting requirements according to policies and funding agent mandates including relevant notes and reports.
• Report any serious occurrences to Program Manager.
• Prepare serious occurrence reports and/or incident reports when necessary.
• Correspondence tracking and follow-ups with team members and program participants.
• Tracking/monitoring activities, documenting outcomes of activities & programs.
• Assists the Program Manager in developing program guidelines, rules, regulations and completion of all necessary data management, including but not limited to, statistics, funder reporting and all other program administration.

5. Quality Management

• Utilizes evidence-based reporting to evaluate annualized work plans.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Participates in cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity training.
• Participates in staff development initiatives, conferences and training requirements specific to Prevention services as it relates to Nigig Nibi Ki-Win.
• Ensures all Program Support Staff certifications are current and recertifications scheduled as needed.
• Will ensure that the program is pro-active in the Algonquin Anishinaabeg perspective and efforts of child welfare and children’s mental health and socio-economic needs. These methods shall consider Indigenous approaches in traditional and contemporary approaches in service delivery.
• Promotes inclusion of the cultural team in programming, with a custom focus on appropriate traditions, practices, teachings that focus on and use of the land in response to the evolving needs of the community.
• Prepares for, and acts as a support person for community committees, if necessary, as related to the program.
• Ensures accuracy in correspondence, gathering information and communication.
• Respects legal obligations regarding children under Nigig Nibi Ki-win.
• Assists in tracking/monitoring strengths/weaknesses of program delivery of activities, support and referrals to relevant Nigig programs and support staff.

· Initiates and participates in a comprehensive risk management plans for the Program team.

· Ensures the protection and privacy of all Prevention Program Services information and records, as well as that or clients/program participants.

7. Other

· Performs other related duties as may be required by the Program Manager, Prevention Services.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work involves extensive public contact with children, youth and adults, the community, other service providers and other Nigig departments and staff; work is subject to deadlines and interruptions. Work involves sometimes handling and dealing with issues of a very sensitive and confidential nature. Work involves a flexible schedule, travel and transporting clients. Work involves standing and/or sitting for long periods of time, as well as active movement.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Basic Requirements:

· Diploma in Social Services, Child & Youth Worker, Early Childhood Education with three (3) years experience working in the related field.

· Experience with program development and implementation.

· Minimum one (1) year of experience in a supervisory capacity or demonstrated leadership capability is a must.

· A minimum of a class “G” drivers’ licence, access to a dependable vehicle and ability to obtain passenger insurance.

· Registration with a recognized body of regulation such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers would be considered an asset.

· Must enjoy working directly with children and youth.

2. Rated Requirements:

Knowledge:

· Experience working with children, youth and families.

· Knowledge and understanding of AoPFN’s history, community dynamics, children, youth and families.

· Exceptional communication skills (written skills i.e. program plans, reports, documents, proposals etc. and verbal skills i.e. presentations, team meetings, etc.).

· Strong computer skills with experience in the application of software, internet and email.

· Child, Youth & Family Services Act (Ontario) and its application and proceedings involving First Nation members.

Abilities:

· Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships with staff, Council members & community.

· Ability to conduct ones’-self in a professional unbiased manner at all times.

· Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential.

· Ability to deal with constant interruptions and varied clientele.

Personal Suitability:

· Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; demonstrates a high level of professionalism and engagement.

· Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

· Tact, discretion and a high level of confidentiality.

· Possess initiative, self-motivation, and be reliable and thorough.

· Be proactive and able to engage in a respectful, friendly and approachable manner.

· Act as a positive role model, being empathetic and compassionate.

· Must be able to travel.

· Sensitive to Indigenous cultures and values; promotes the culture and aspirations of AoPFN.

3. Conditions of Employment:

· Must have a Class ‘G’ Ontario Driver’s Licence, access to a reliable vehicle.

· Must provide proof of automobile insurance coverage and a clear drivers’ abstract.

· Complete and signed Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreement.

· Maintain a valid Vulnerable Sector Check Screening.

· Current CPR & Standard First Aid Certificate, and/or willingness to obtain.

· Able to work flexible hours.

PREFERENCE IN HIRING:

Nigig promotes equal employment opportunities for all applicants. Persons who identify as Indigenous will be given preference as this role serves the needs of members of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Provided the candidate meets the basic requirements of the position and is deemed qualified following the interview process, preference will be given to a) the qualified Indigenous person who is a member of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation; then to, b) the qualified Indigenous person; then to, c) the qualified non-Indigenous candidate.

WE OFFER:

• Employment benefits & pension plan
• Paid sick, vacation and special day leave
• 14 Provincial and Federal Statutory Holidays