Peer Leaders, Research & Ideation Project with Newcomer Youth

Position Title: Peer Leaders, Research & Ideation Project with Newcomer Youth (5 positions) 

Reports To: Innovation Specialist 
Start and end date: November 7, 2024 – December 13, 2024                                            
Hours: 2 days (14 hours)/week, Thursdays and Fridays 
Duration of contract: 6 weeks 
Hourly rate: $22 
Location: 255 Ranee Avenue location/Hybrid 
Who We Are 
(NYCH) is a dynamic community agency that has been working with residents of under-resourced and low-income neighbourhoods in northwest Toronto for over 30 years. We are committed to helping people move out of poverty in order to build strong, vibrant communities. We support new Canadians, children, youth and their families, seniors, and local residents in becoming active and engaged citizens who are able to thrive and become leaders in their own lives and communities. 

At NYCH, we pride ourselves on working collaboratively and creating a supportive environment. We recognize the work we need to do to improve and are constantly striving to do so. Our team has shown incredible adaptability, strength, creativity, and dedication in serving our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we continue to learn and grow, and innovate while dealing with the challenges of this new reality. 

Position Summary 

The Peer Leaders, Research & Ideation will work with staff, program participants, and volunteers to design, plan, facilitate and evaluate the Design Ideation Session based on inclusive co-design practices. This short-term project will test the NYCH innovation process in practice, helping to enhance it and inform the future NYCH innovation framework. 

The 6-week project focuses on exploring the theme of mental health of youth newcomers. Peer Leaders will work together to plan, design activities, and facilitate an ideation session to explore relevant and culturally aligned solutions. They will review existing reports, and engage with staff, volunteers and program participants to learn and define the scope of the session. Afterwards, Peer Leaders will help evaluate, write and share insights and lessons learned through presentations and reports. The project follows this outline: 

Week 1 – Welcome: What is Innovation & NYCH Innovation Practices 
Week 2 – Research & Data Synthesis: Defining the Problem to Solve 
Week 3 - Design & Plan the Ideation Session 
Week 4 – Facilitating & Evaluating the Session 
Week 5 – Retrospective & Recommendations 
Week 6 – Report & Present Findings 

Main Responsibilities: 

• Review and expand on desk research on issues impacting newcomers according to the project scope and goals 
• Engage in interviews and conversations with staff, volunteers, and program participants 
• Review materials, videos, and  reports, to understand NYCH innovation practices 
• Support the planning, design and implementation of group activities and program sessions with the support of NYCH staff, using language and cultural knowledge as necessary 
• Liaise and support outreach and communications with volunteers, NYCH staff and partner organizations as required 
• Prepare communication materials and resources for the workshops (digital and physical resources as required) as well as take notes, photos, or videos for documenting the project 
• Observe all program and general policies and protocols and respect the confidentiality of all engagement contacts 

 Other responsibilities: 

• Complete and submit timesheets, receipts and expense forms as required 
• Maintain accurate registration and attendance forms, records, and statistics when required 
• Complete reporting of program activities 
• Liaise with NYCH staff, program participants, and volunteers around data collection and feedback 
• Participate in training sessions and staff meetings as required. 

Required Qualifications: 
Pursuing or completed post-secondary (college, technical institute, university) education 

Experience and Skills 

• Interest or experience in design thinking and facilitating workshops  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong computer skills, including working knowledge of MS Office, Zoom or Canva  
• Ability to work both independently and in teams as required 
• Experience in researching information online and creating presentations 
• Empathic, aware, and sensitive to the needs and issues of newcomers and refugees 
• Interested in supporting newcomers, refugees and other marginalized communities 
• Ability to work with diverse communities from an anti-discriminatory framework 
• Experience or interest in creating and facilitating activities and games is an asset 
• Previous experience overseeing the tracking of program expenses, evaluations and producing reports is an asset 
• Lived experience or previous working/volunteering with newcomers is an asset 

  Other Requirements: 

• Must be available to work in person two days per week between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, with some flexibility and occasional community engagement activities on evenings or weekends.  
• Candidates will be asked to declare their vaccination status during the recruitment process. Successful candidates will be required to provide proof before or directly upon the start of their employment 
• A successful clearance of criminal record verification maybe required when necessary for the position.

NYCH is committed to equity and creating a respectful and inclusive workplace culture that reflects the broad diversity of communities we work with. This includes people who identify as immigrants, refugees, women, Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQ+ people of colour, and people with disabilities. 

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. 

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration.