Child Welfare Advocate

**_**Indigenous Women are encouraged to apply. First preference will be given to all qualified Indigenous applicants.**_**

**Why make ONWA your career choice?**

**_
Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:_**
- Competitive salaries
- Generous paid vacation time
- Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
- Additional paid stat and civic holidays
- 35-hour work week
- Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision, and EAP. All premiums are covered by the employer.
- Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
- Competitive Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid sick days
- Paid cultural/personal wellness days
- Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
- Ongoing professional development.
- Possible reimbursement on a portion of cell phone and internet expenses

**VISION**:
At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honor the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally, and internationally for generations to come.

**SCOPE**:
The **Child Welfare Advocate** will support Indigenous women in a culturally rooted, holistic way, to assist them in navigating through the complex systems encountered when experiencing violence and/or involvement in child welfare matters. The workers will focus on crisis management and stabilization, awareness, and education, planning and goal setting, liaise with service providers and provide conflict resolution support for Indigenous women and their families. They will build dependable, reliable, and trustworthy relationships with women and mothers, while preserving their dignity and promoting a holistic approach among all service providers. This will help ensure the rights of the mother and child are both upheld.

The Breaking Free from Family Violence program will utilize a comprehensive approach to addressing and eradicating violence against Indigenous Women and their children. It will enhance and provide supports across service areas that are designed to meet the unique needs of Indigenous women who are involved with both the child welfare systems and violence against women sectors. It will provide services to Indigenous women, their children, families, and communities by creating wrap around services that meet their cultural, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, women’s studies, or related field with a minimum three (3) years’ work experience in child welfare.
- Knowledge of the child welfare and justice systems pertaining to violence against Indigenous women.
- Proven experience in and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding child welfare, violence, crisis management and stabilization.
- Strong case management skills with demonstrated experience working with case management systems.
- Good communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.
- Strong experience in Community Member advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous women, families, and/or communities.
- Strong facilitation skills with the ability to speak to large groups to educate and raise awareness on child welfare and violence issues.
- Ability to create and maintain a confidential, welcoming, friendly, and safe environment for Community Members.
- Knowledge of and established relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and create/maintain these relationships.
- Strong organizational/time management skills with an ability to plan and define measurable objectives and outcomes and meet objectives in a timely manner.
- Working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
- Valid G Class Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.
- Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
- Cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
- Ability/willingness to travel and to work flexible hours.
- _ONWA is committed to implementing measures to protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required._