Job Posting:
The Centre for Women & Trans People at U of T
Coordinator, Administration and Peer Support

Update: DEADLINE: Monday March 21, 2011 at 6 PM

The Centre for Women & Trans People at the University of Toronto is committed to providing a safe, harassment-free, drop-in space for all women and trans people on campus as well as in the community. The Centre is a student-funded, volunteer driven, non-profit campus and community organization governed by our Collective. The Centre provides support, referrals, resources and advocacy on issues of poverty, food security, health, violence, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, classism, ableism and ageism, through our programs, events and workshops. The Centre is dedicated to creating an anti-oppressive environment, and promoting space for community organizing and the sharing of life experiences. The Centre’s programming is designed based on the needs and interests of the people we serve. The Centre welcomes ideas for building solidarity and a strong sense of community both on campus and in the wider community.

The role of the Coordinators is to provide continuity and stability within a continually changing environment. The Coordinators carry out responsibilities that maintain the integrity of the organization, support students and clients through peer support, workshops and training as well as referrals, assist with volunteer development and provide connections to the community.

Application Deadline: Monday March 21, 2011 at 6 PM

Position Status: Full-Time 3 month Contract with possibility of extension, 30 Hours per week, occasional evenings and weekends

This is a bargaining unit position with CUPE Local 1281

Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday, 11am to 6pm, and occasional. Friday meetings

Starting Salary: $19.00 per hour

Start Date: As soon as possible

The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T practices equity hiring and believes that those on the margins are often in better positions to understand how systems of oppression, power and privilege work and are maintained. We strongly encourage people who are surviving racism, colonization, poverty, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and sexism to apply for paid positions, to be a member of the Collective or to volunteer at The Centre.

Qualifications and Essential Skills:

Life and work experience or equivalent post-secondary degree social sciences, social work or a related field
Strong interpersonal & oral communication skills, writing, analytical and organizational skills
Ability to be self-directed, and work well both independently and in groups a must; experience working in a collective setting an asset
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands
Experience working with varied communities
Excellent group facilitation, supervisory and staff management skills
Knowledge of women, trans and gender issues
Understanding of and experience working within an anti-oppression framework
Experience writing grant applications and proposals
Experience in financial management and accounting; experience with QuickBooks an asset
Background and experience in counseling, and knowledge of Toronto social service agencies
Knowledge of food security issues; an interest in food preparation is an asset
Knowledge of community/campus issues an asset
Excellent computer skills; knowledge of Microsoft Office an asset

Responsibilities:

Financial Management and Fundraising
Manage all financial aspects of The Centre including:
Design and update budget to present to Collective and funders
Bookkeeping, Banking, preparing for the audit for The Centre
Payroll and Purchasing for The Centre
Write all grant applications, including Work-Study, special projects, and summer career placement grants
Coordinate other fundraising initiatives

Collective Management
Ensuring Collective Meetings engage in consensus decision-making and effective, collective-style meeting facilitation
Scheduling and preparing for Collective meetings
Follow-up on decisions made in Collective meetings
Co-organize orientations of new Collective members

Peer Support Program
Responsible for the overall operations of this program including:
Provide peer support, counseling, case management, referrals, and follow up for students and community members
Training and management of peer support Volunteers and Work Study students
Participate in Women’s Safety Network meetings
Ensure The Centre is stocked with relevant resource materials

Food Security Program
Responsible for the overall operations of this program including:
Coordinate the Community Cupboard and the Good Food Box
Attend Food Bank meetings
Coordinate “The Spice” (a community cooking program)

General Duties
Maintain office hours and attend Collective meetings
Maintain room bookings and act as a liaison with outside groups who use the space
Liaise with campus, community groups, U of T Administration and Student Governments
Hire and supervise part-time positions including Work-Study and HRSDC students
Participate in training initiatives that are relevant to your duties at The Centre
Ensure the general upkeep and cleanliness of The Centre

How to apply:
Applicants must provide a résumé, cover letter, and single spaced, one page statement. If writing a statement poses an obstacle due to a disability or issues around language, please advise The Centre prior to the deadline and we will develop an alternative. The one page statement is based on the following question:

You have been given a large grant to start up a university-based centre for women and trans people. What essential elements (programming, space usage, policies, etc.) do you think are necessary to include in your Centre?

Complete applications can be mailed, emailed, faxed or dropped off at The Centre:

c/o of the Hiring Committee
563 Spadina Ave., Room 100
Toronto, ON M5S 2J7
Email: womens.centre AT utoronto DOT ca
Fax: 416-978-1078