Cultural Ambassador - Hamilton Urban Safer Supply Program

1.0 FTE (35 hours/week)
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (HUCCHC) is a thriving inner city health centre and a leader in the provision of high-quality primary health services and health promotion programs. Our comprehensive health services are delivered through a dynamic team of multidisciplinary, inter-professional health providers. As an inner-city health centre our client populations include individuals and families with chronic and complex health and social conditions, many of which are living in poverty.
General Responsibilities: We are seeking one Cultural Ambassador to join our Hamilton Urban Safer Supply Program (HUSSP). The program provides clients using street-based drug supply, who are at high risk of overdose in the community and of medical complications due to drug use, a regulated supply of prescription through a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in an effort to reduce overdose and overdose deaths. HUSSP is a multidisciplinary team that provides primary care and wrap around social supports to eligible safe supply clients. The team consists of Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Health Navigator, Case Manager and Peer Mentor.
The Cultural Ambassador will work as a member of the HUSSP team to support the codesign of an accessible harm reduction service model for Black, Indigenous and Other People of Colour (BIPOC). They will ensure that BIPOC voices are heard and drive the decision making of the model.
The service recognizes the resiliency and strength, cultural diversity, and intersectional experiences of BIPOC communities. We recognize that mental health and health services more generally, have historically and presently, harmed Black and Indigenous peoples. We recognize that access to these systems; even though this position will be Black led, still exist within systems that perpetuate anti-black racism, colonialism, and patriarchy. We recognize that access to these systems can be unsafe, and much of the work is to provide culturally safe, strength-based, resourceful, healing centered, and low barrier care.
Specific Responsibilities

• Demonstrated experience working with individuals and groups that have been marginalized, isolated and/or excluded and experience barriers to accessing services and information
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in sustainable community development, with demonstrated knowledge of the principles, policies and practices of community development and capacity building
• Demonstrated experience in developing outreach strategies and conducting outreach activities
• Link clients and family members to mental health and harm reduction supports
• Use an anti-oppressive and Africentric practice approach
• Develop working relationships and rapport with community service providers in providing culturally adaptive language & services which consider the experiences of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community around racial trauma, racial gaslighting
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong problem solving skills
• Highly developed participatory group facilitation skills
• Develop and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the community as approved by your manager. Ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends
• Working knowledge of a wide variety of local and regional community resources and supports
• Experience working with volunteers
• Working knowledge of computer programs and applications
• Work closely with Black Health and Consumption and Treatment Services Teams
• Demonstrated commitment to social change through collaborative action, with an anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity focus

Qualifications

• Demonstrated skills and experience in working with BIPOC communities
• Combination of relevant social services education and work experience
• Knowledge of harm reduction community resources for BIPOC communities
• Ability to work with BIPOC communities to develop and enhance their identity, culture and sense of belongingness to their community through knowledge and understanding of health, social service and community development agencies
• Previous experience in community health and /social services preferred
• Develop and maintain an onsite flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the community. Ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends
• Fluency in French, is a significant asset
• Demonstrated commitment to and lived experience of anti-Black racism and Africentric values and principles
• A deep fundamental and comprehensive knowledge of the unique challenges faced by African Canadian and Caribbean individuals across the social determinants of health
• A commitment to interdisciplinary team approach to coordination of health and social services.

Interested individuals should forward a resume and cover letter by Monday June 19, 2023, 12:00pm to:
Hiring Committee – HUSSP Cultural Ambassador
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre Suite
121-181 Main Street Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4S1
Fax: 905-522-5374
Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment. While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.