Youth Engagement Coordinator

  • CompanyThunderbird Partnership Foundation
  • Job TypeChild and Youth
  • Required ExperienceTwo (2) years work/volunteer experience in the field
  • Education / CredentialsA Bachelor’s degree or college degree in social sciences, health or social work or an appropriate related discipline
  • ResumeRequired
  • Cover LetterRequired
  • Application Deadline09/04/2024

Job Description

Youth Engagement Coordinator

Are you a Youth Engagement Coordinator who is looking to build on your strong track record of working with and representing youth through projects that support culturally responsive and Indigenous Knowledge approaches with an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people within a strengths-based environment?

If so, let’s talk!

Organization Description
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation is a national non-profit organization serving First Nations in Mental Wellness. Our mandate is set by 3 frameworks:
1. Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations in Canada
2. Indigenous Wellness Framework
3. First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum
Our core stakeholders are First Nations communities and the network of First Nations adult and youth treatment centres. To support the mandate, Thunderbird has two office locations, one based in a First Nations community in southwestern Ontario, and the other in the city of London, Ontario. This position is based out of the Delaware
Nation office, near the village of Bothwell.

Your opportunity
• The Youth Engagement Coordinator will work with the National Youth Council’s organization partners on various youth-related initiatives; and will assist the Council in their work in terms of youth engagement, communication, reporting, and administrative services.
• The Coordinator will demonstrate several learning and development abilities along with a number of core competencies.
• You will work on a team with others like yourself who are dedicated to work which has real value and meaning in the lives of others.
• You will apply all your experience, skills, talents, and passion for the benefit of others while learning from the expertise of your wellness focused team.
• You will enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing that your work is much more than just a job.

As the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation Youth Engagement Coordinator, you will
• develop a youth engagement plan that links to Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and First Peoples Wellness Circle’s overall strategy and objectives for the National Youth Council. (e.g., in consultation with Council, develop youth engagement plans to ensure full regional representation on the Council);
• maintain an awareness of organization resource capacity and use this information to support engagement of youth-focused partners, distinguishing between possibilities and limitations;
• engage with Council members to support the Council’s work and the development of project workplans;
• maintain communication between the Council, Thunderbird, and First Peoples Wellness Circle, as well as external partners and other interested parties;
• coordinate capacity and knowledge building of Council members vis-à-vis the Council’s project partners and stakeholders, ensuring effective communications;
• engage Council members at the most direct level and ensure that level is appropriate for its intended purpose;
• work to gain a strong understanding of Indigenous youth issues, interests, aspirations, and concerns to better define what matters most and ensure mutual benefits of Council members, Indigenous youth, and the sister organizations;
• work to ensure the Council is raising awareness and understanding of substance use issues and addictions including approaches to mental wellness and healing based on Indigenous Knowledge;
• develop effective relationships and collaborative working styles with stakeholders, partners, and First Nations communities to support and address substance use issues and addictions;
• coordinate and manage youth working groups relevant to the position, work plan projects and the overall team;
• contribute to and assist in coordinating Council members as they work on agreed upon engagement and Indigenous youth initiatives within Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and First Peoples Wellness Circle; and
• through successful progression in the core competencies for the position, act as a point of contact for youth and youth-focused initiatives in developing relationships with identified target audiences (e.g., government officials, First Nations leadership, (regional & national), Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, community treatment partners, etc).

Experience and Qualifications

You bring
• a Bachelor’s degree or college degree in social sciences, health or social work or an appropriate related discipline and two (2) years work/volunteer experience in the field

Other requirements include
• fluency in a First Nations language is a definite asset
• knowledge of First Nations traditions and customs including natural healing is a definite asset
• diplomacy, tact and understanding of others’ priorities to achieve common goals
• strong interpersonal communication skills including relationship and partnership building, clear and concise information provision, customer service and managing inquiries and complaints
• excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and manage emerging issues and risks in relation to service delivery and stakeholder coordination
• a high degree of professionalism and flexibility displayed in all aspects of service delivery
• reliability, quality, efficiency, and courteousness of services delivered
• demonstrated ability to lead small special project teams
• valid provincial driver’s license
• ability to function autonomously, and be flexible and adaptable to change
• ability to effectively maintain confidentiality and privacy of people supported through appropriate communication and record keeping
• live an exemplary lifestyle as a role model for mental wellness

Additionally, all employees of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation must adhere to a strict confidentially policy and will be required to sign an Oath of Confidentiality and observe the Code of Ethics Policy.

How to Apply

If this sounds like the right fit for you, please email your resume and cover letter for confidential consideration.
Email: resumes@nnapf.com
Thunderbird Partnership Foundation (NNAPF)
22361 Austin Line
Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0
211 Adelaide St S, London, ON N5Z 3K7

Closing date: Open until filled.
We value the importance of diversity and dignity in the workplace and are committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

To request a full job description, please contact: Annette Howlett at ahowlett@thunderbirdpf.org