Settlement Counsellor

**POSITION: Settlement Counsellor - Swahili Speaking**
**PROGRAM: Settlement Program**
**WORK HOURS: 30 Hours/Week**
**RATE OF PAY: $27.00/Hour**
**EMPLOYMENT TERM: 6 month contract (possible renewal)**

**DBNC** is an accredited, non-profit organization providing support services to residents of Mississauga including newcomers to Canada, youth, seniors, and families. As a part of a progressive team, you will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the communities we serve, in an environment of continuous learning with development opportunities.

**JOB SUMMARY**:
The Settlement Counsellor provides access counselling, settlement services, and integration support to newcomers. (The Settlement Counsellor provides counselling, settlement services, and mental health support to newcomers through workshops or one-on-one sessions for their easy integration)

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Using a client-centered approach, conduct an intake, needs assessment and assist newcomers in the development of a personalized settlement action plan for short term and long term goals.
- Provide case management and supportive follow-up services
- Provide assistance to newcomers to make informed decisions about their settlement and understand life in Canada
- Provide information, access counselling, and referrals on services such as health care, housing, employment, training and education, legal aid, finance, social services.
- Assist clients in understanding and integrating into Canadian society, practices and procedures, institutions, laws, rights and responsibilities, etc.
- Act as a liaison between clients, government departments, and cultural/community groups.
- Plan and facilitate educational workshops on settlement issues.
- Develop collaborative partnerships with community agencies to offer supportive trainings to newcomers. Document needs and gaps in services for newcomers.
- Interpret for clients in accessing services where language is a barrier.
- Collect statistics, submit monthly reports, input client data into the CRM database
- Service coordination with other departments to meet client needs and facilitate access to language training, employment, and other services

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Fluent in English and Swahili. French and/or Creole will be considered an asset
- Post-secondary education in social work, human services, sociology, or psychology.
- 1-3 years of experience assisting newcomers with settlement issues.
- Extensive knowledge of the immigration system and services available to assist newcomers to Canada.
- Current knowledge of legislation, policies, and practices affecting newcomers.
- Knowledge of group process and facilitation techniques.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Comfortable communicating with representatives from all segments of the community, government, and human services.
- Good organizational skills, ability to multitask, and ensure a high level of accuracy in data collection.
- Self-motivated, creative, energetic, and able to work as part of an effective team with other program staff, committee members, community members, and other community professionals.
- Legally eligible to work in Canada
- Must have a valid Police Record Check.

Lindel Merraro, Manager of Welcoming Communities
Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre
3650 Dixie Rd. Suite103, Mississauga, ON L4Y3V9
- **DBNC thanks all applicants for their interest, only those under consideration will be contacted for interviews. Please be advised that successful incumbent(s) will be required to undergo a vulnerable sector screening as a part of the final step in the hiring process.**_
- **Personal information provided through the DBNC recruitment, selection, and onboarding process is necessary for the proper administration of this recruitment process for employment and volunteer positions with DBNC. Personal information is protected from disclosure pursuant to PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).**_

**Job Types**: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 6 months

**Salary**: $27.00 per hour

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

**Experience**:

- assisting newcomers with settlement issues: 2 years (required)
- conducting intake and needs assessment: 2 years (preferred)
- case management and supportive follow-up services: 2 years (required)
- facilitating educational workshops on settlement issues: 1 year (required)

**Language**:

- Swahili (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2023-08-23