Coordinated Access Policy Advisor – Full Time

Context

It takes a village to raise a child.

It also takes a system of caring community members working together to support people who are homeless or at-risk of losing their homes.

That is precisely what Ottawa’s Aboriginal Community Advisory Board (ACAB) is. ACAB is comprised of local Indigenous non-profits: Odawa, Minwaashin Lodge, Tewegan, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Gignul Housing, Inuit Housing and Wabano. The ACAB has been working together for years, ensuring that Indigenous people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness have access to the supports they need.

ACAB, through the Wabano Centre, is now looking for an experienced Coordinated Access Policy Advisor to (1) manage the data collected by ACAB partners to communicate its impact and (2) support shelters and housing partners in understanding and implementing the Indigenous-specific coordinated access system. (See Appendix for more information on this system.)

If you are the right person for this role, you are Indigenous, you understand how to communicate complex ideas and data and you have the ability and drive to advocate for the needs of Indigenous people without homes in Ottawa.

The Role

Reporting to Wabano’s Housing Director, the Indigenous Coordinated Access Policy Advisor works directly with Ottawa’s ACAB focusing on three main areas:

CLIENT SERVICE PROCESS

The Administrator supports the ACAB in implementing Indigenous-specific coordinated access by:

• Establishing relationships with partners
• Documenting the process of how ACAB serves Indigenous people who are homeless or at-risk of homeless (Indigenous-specific coordinated access system)
• Communicating the process to all relevant partners (ACAB and mainstream housing partners)
• Reviewing the process to ensure it is still effective, working with partners to find solutions as needed
• Assisting the ACAB in matching shelter clients to appropriate services

DATA COLLECTION PROCESS

Over the next year, the ACAB will begin to implement a new Housing database (HIFIS). The Administrator will receive training in HFIS and will then play a lead role in its roll-out, communicating to the ACAB and supporting them through the transition.

Once rolled out, the Administrator will continue to:

• Amalgamate data collected from ACAB partners
• Report on in-and-out flow of Indigenous clients in shelters to ACAB
• Support ACAB in data collection including training and inputting
• Generate reports from HIFIS
• Translate data findings to communicate impact of Indigenous coordinated access to partners and funders

ADVOCACY

Support the ACAB Chair by attending housing meetings (national and local levels) on her behalf and creating briefing notes afterwards. Attending meetings includes the ability to speak to current housing issues facing the Indigenous community and advocating for change.

Required Skills

We are looking for an individual that is motivated to find innovative ways to clearly communicate and articulate the processes that make lasting change. In addition, they should have:

• Completion of a relevant post-secondary degree (for example: Public Administration, Social Work, Social Policy, Policy Studies or Indigenous Studies).
• Stellar customer service skills to communicate effectively with executives, staff, and clients.
• Proven experience in creating and communicating processes (including written procedures).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Experience in using databases and data collection processes.
• Experience (lived or professional) with Indigenous communities.
• Experience and comfort with public speaking.
• Experience and/or knowledge of Indigenous languages, cultures, traditions, or community practices will be considered an asset.

Salary

Range $60,000 – $68,000 per year + Benefits