Settlement Worker

The Somali Women and Children's Support Network (SWCSN) is a multicultural, non-profit, community-based organization that provides a wide range of programs, services and supports to enable immigrant, refugee, newcomer, low-income families with gaining leadership skills, employment training, language skills, and build social connections both within and beyond their community. For several decades, SWCSN has and continues to consistently address emerging community needs by providing tailored services and fostering partnerships with other local agencies.

**Position Summary**:
We are currently seeking a Settlement Worker to exclusively support Asylum Seekers with a variety of matters relating to settlement services including delivering settlement information sessions, providing one-on-one support, educating asylum seekers on service navigation techniques, providing referrals to other community and government institutions, providing housing support - including assisting clients with securing and maintaining affordable housing or temporary shelter, and providing employment support and career planning.

**Responsibilities**:

- Deliver personalized, one-on-one assistance to asylum seekers covering a broad spectrum of settlement services, shelter guidance, housing assistance, healthcare information, and employment support.
- Engage in comprehensive case management and coordination, collaborating closely with other agency staff to pool expertise, resources, and knowledge for the development and implementation of holistic settlement plans.
- Collaborate with clients to develop personalized settlement plans that address their specific goals and challenges.
- Prioritize outreach efforts to identify and engage asylum seekers in the GTA, ensuring their access to essential settlement services.
- Design and facilitate workshops and activities focused on settlement and integration to empower clients and foster community engagement.
- Provide timely support and intervention to address crises and resolve issues that may arise during the settlement process.
- Cultivate robust partnerships with culturally appropriate service providers and community organizations to enhance service accessibility and outcomes for clients.
- Actively participate in agency meetings and events to contribute to organizational goals and stay informed about relevant developments.
- Maintain regular communication with supervisors to assess the effectiveness of delivering settlement services.
- Adhere to agency and program policies, including the organization's Mission, Vision, and Values, while carrying out settlement-related duties.
- Maintain accurate records and statistics in a client data system to track progress and outcomes effectively.
- Prepare written assessments and gather valuable client data, often in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, international relations, or a related field.
- 2-year experience in serving marginalized communities specifically immigrants, refugee claimants, asylum seekers and homeless/under-housed people.
- Strong knowledge of settlement processes.
- Experience and strong ability to provide information, referrals and supports to asylum seekers.
- Proven ability to plan and implement program activities, prepare promotional materials and advocate on behalf of clients.
- Profound understanding of crisis intervention and trauma informed practices.
- Knowledge of and experience working within an anti-oppression framework.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to use databases, spreadsheets and word processing software, i.e. MS office and Outlook in order to document and track client information.
- Fluent in written and verbal English, as well as a second language relevant to the communities served is required. This may include: Somali, Amharic, Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, Swahili, Yoruba, etc.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule.

**Salary**: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-02-16
Expected start date: 2024-02-26