Supervisor, Aya Black Justice Navigator Project

Salary: $70,000 - $75,000 annually

POSITION TITLE: Supervisor, Aya Black Justice Navigator Project

DEPARTMENT: Culturally Appropriate Counselling

AFFILIATION: Non-Unionized Position

LOCATION: Headquarters, ON

HOURS:Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm

EXTENDED HOURS:Dependent on needs of the program

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.

TCSMental Health & Wellness Program provides culturally sensitive clinical counselling to children, youth, adults, and seniors, especially from the Black, African, and Caribbean communities, to address challenges that may be having significant impacts on various aspects of their lives. Services aim to engage often hard-to-reach clients and work collaboratively with families to develop treatment plans that manage risky behaviours, build on strengths, and facilitate pro-social opportunities for improved outcomes. Using a client-centered anti-Black racism lens, clients are supported to achieve their goals through individual and family counselling and/or group and workshop facilitation including Stop Now and Plan (SNAP), Success through Aggression Replacement Training (START), and Parenting Together programs.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Supervisor of the Aya Black Justice Navigator Project will oversee the service to deliver culturally responsive education, advocacy, and direct support services to Black, African, and Caribbean participants, ages 19+ years, to raise their awareness, knowledge, understanding, and ability to navigate the intricacies of the criminal justice system.

The Aya Black Justice Navigator Project provides culturally grounded navigation, advocacy, legal education, and co-ordinated referrals, while contributing to program evaluation, policy learning, and justice system transformation.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Project Initiation:

• Staff Recruitment & Onboarding
  • Assist in the recruitment and hiring of Justice Navigators and Project Assistant.
  • In collaboration with HR and program Manager, conduct staff orientation and training on systemic anti-Black racism, legal system navigation, and cultural competency.
• Develop Project Resources and Promotional Materials
  • Create informational materials on legal rights, court processes, and available resources.
• Community Engagement Strategy
  • Partnerships with Legal Aid organizations, service professionals, community groups, and advocacy networks and other relevant referral sources.
  • Represent TCS by participating in relevant service committees and networks.

Project Implementation:

• System Navigation Support:
• • Supervise the provision of Gender-based Analysis Plus one-on-one sessions to assist clients with understanding legal processes including steps to be taken to resolve the challenges encountered in their situation.
  • Ensure all project content and activities comply with relevant legislation, company policies and procedures, and stakeholder requirements.
• Information, Awareness & Capacity Building Sessions
• • Monitor the delivery of monthly Gender-based Analysis Plus workshops to educate clients (laws, legal rights/obligations, justice system structure/processes, resources/supports, and pro-social skills training).
• Court Preparation Assistance
• • Monitor the delivery of Gender-based Analysis Plus court tours, life-skills training, and accompaniment during court appearances.
• Advocacy & System Collaboration
• • Supervise the Bender-based Analysis Plus delivery of:
    • Advocacy with court officials to ensure that the legal professionals representing Black, African, and Caribbean individuals are utilizing the best legal strategies
    • Emotional support and accompaniment for affected individuals.
    • Facilitation of referrals to clinical counselling participants can receive support to identify and address psycho-social factors that exacerbate their legal situation.
• Referral Network Development
• • Establish a robust referral system to relevant resources including legal, social, and mental health.

Project Evaluation & Reporting:

• Impact Assessment
  • Collect data on client outcomes, project reach, and stakeholder feedback.
  • Analyze data to identify project challenges and opportunities.
  • Develop recommendations for project improvement and continuation.
• Addressing Systemic Issues
  • Compile case studies of concerns relating to systemic anti-Black racism and produce legal arguments to the intersection points within the criminal justice system.
• Reporting & Sustainability Planning
  • Produce and disseminate a comprehensive report with lessons learned and recommendations.
  • Share data driven evidence of impact to support continuation of expansion with community partners and stakeholders.

Supervision:

• Supervise, monitor, and evaluate Black Justice Navigators who conduct the day-to-day operation of the project.
• Co-ordinates the work function amongst the Black Justice Navigator service.
• Complete and provide performance review for direct reports.
• Conduct regular team meetings.
• Ensure staff training activities are consistent with agencys policies and procedures
• In conjunction with HR, recruit, orient and train Social Work students for the project.

Administration:

• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely inputting of client and data information onto databases.
• Conduct periodic file audit to ensure that proper documentation is maintained.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for Manager.
• Present at staff meetings and other relevant meetings, as required.
• Submit weekly/month/quarterly statistics as required.
• Develop and maintain a database of social service professionals from the Black and Caribbean communities to whom the agency may refer clients or from whom the agency may request assistance in case conferencing.

Financial:

• Monitor and manage project budget.
• Prepare accurate and complete requisitions for project costs in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all receipts are reconciled.

Health & Safety:

• Follow all Health & Safety rules and regulations and ensure thesafety of direct reports, Social Work students, and volunteers as prescribed by the Act.

Other Duties:

• Initiate or assist with other projects as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in social work and related work experience in counselling individuals and families from the Black, African, and Caribbean.
  
• Current registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service.
• Valid police clearance with satisfactory vulnerable sector check.
• 2+ Years of supervisory experience.
• Experience providing culturally informed advanced counselling, crisis intervention, and group facilitation to families from the Black, African, and Caribbean community inclusive of theoretical approaches including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Systems, Attachment, Feminist, Aggression Replacement Training, and Transtheoretical Model.
  
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian Justice System, systematic anti-Black racism, and the social determinants of criminalization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both oral andBilingualism (French) is an asset.
• Valid driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset.
  

WHAT WE OFFER

• Group Benefits Plan with Extended Healthcare and Dental Benefits
• Career growth and development opportunities
• A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
• Employee Assistance Program

Although we appreciate each application, only those candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.

Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures. Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process please contact Human resources. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.