Employment Program Specialist

About:

Reception House is a non-profit, community-based organization that delivers quality settlement, integration and support services to government-assisted refugees (GARs) in Waterloo Region. Since 1987, Reception House has assisted thousands of refugees rebuild their lives in Canada through specialized programs and services designed to help them become established in their new communities. 

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a full-time contract Employment Program Specialist   on our Settlement Team. The Employment Program Specialist will be responsible for designing and piloting an employment service model for refugee women and youth, while building partnerships with community organizations and employers. It includes overseeing program delivery, creating personalized employment pathways based on an individual’s strengths, skills and needs to prepare them for future employment. The role will offer one-on-one guidance to participants, track their progress and assess program outcomes.

What you’ll do:

• Design a gender- and age-sensitive employment service model tailored to the needs of refugee women and youth, addressing trust-building and mental health concerns.
• Identify the significant barriers to employment for refugee women and youth and develop strategies to overcome these barriers, focusing on empowering individuals by addressing their needs from an intersectional perspective.
• Map community resources and build and maintain relationships with potential partners/employers to support program delivery.
• Oversee the launch and delivery of the pilot program, ensuring participants gain employment or entrepreneurial skills  and knowledge, language training, and support for small business exploration.
• Provide one-on-one support to participants, offering personalized guidance throughout their employment journey, helping to empower and build their confidence.
• Collect and analyze participant data to assess program outcomes, preparing reports on the pilot’s results and making recommendations for future improvements.
• Collaborate with program staff, managers, and other teams to align activities with organizational goals.
• Ensure project activities comply with funding requirements and organizational policies, and maintain regular communication with management and key stakeholders.
   

What you’ll need:

• Completion of an accredited post secondary degree or diploma program in social service work, community development or equivalent education/experience in social services, non-profit sector, or international human service fields.
• Completion of an Employment Services Certificate is preferred.
• Proven ability to design and implement employment programs, with experience in strength-based and outcomes-based programs is required.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, community engagement and capacity building is required.
• Experience working with refugee or immigrant populations, especially women and youth is preferred.
• Familiarity with local community resources and employment services is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of employment programs and how they are developed.
• Ability to take abstract ideas and organize them into a logical, realistic program with deliverables.  
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Innovative thinker with the ability to find solutions to complex challenges related to refugee resettlement and integration.  
• Empathetic and strong intercultural communication skills. 
   

Working conditions: 

• Heightened risk of exposure to communicable diseases, vicarious trauma and high-stress environment. 
• A valid driver’s license and access to a car is preferred (mileage compensated). 
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends when needed.
• Extended periods of time spent sitting, working on computer using mouse and keyboard.   

Salary range:

• $55,000 - $58,000

Benefits: 

At Reception House, we truly value our employees and the incredible work that they do. Some benefits we provide include;

• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff appreciation events
• Wellness initiatives
• Professional development opportunities

Reception House Waterloo Region will accommodate candidates partaking in the recruitment process upon request. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.