Summary

Foundry Central Office is recruiting for an Engagement Specialist to provide expertise on youth and family engagement in research and related initiatives at Foundry!

The Engagement Specialist will be a member of the Engagement Team at Foundry Central Office, reporting to the Lead, Engagement and Experience. They will work closely with the Foundry Research team and take work direction from the Lead, Research Operations to plan, action and implement engagement strategies and initiatives within a research context.

The Specialist will help develop, implement, and monitor engagement strategies, initiatives, and policies/practices. They will be responsible for supervising other members of the engagement team at central office, and will work closely with service providers, partners, staff, and scientists. The Specialist will support capacity building in engagement in research best practices within the Foundry Engagement and Research teams, our research community, and broader Foundry Network.

Ideally, this person will have lived experiences that drive their passion and vision for their work. Strong relationship development skills and practical skills and training in facilitation, project management, and patient-oriented research practices will be important for this role. If you are passionate about youth and family engagement and are looking for an opportunity to grow – both personally and professionally – we’d love to hear from you!

To learn more about Foundry and the supports and services we provide, visit: https://foundrybc.ca/

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education
Bachelor’s degree in related field supplemented by three years of recent related experience in youth or community engagement and working with youth and young adults with lived and living experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience in youth/community engagement. Public speaking and strong facilitation skills an asset.

Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated creativity and initiative in designing, leading and evaluating youth or community engagement projects and developing new strategic partnerships both internal and external to the organization. Knowledge and experience in methodologies, planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting out on community engagement and public participation.
Knowledge of complex organizational and system dynamics in terms of involving multiple stakeholders.
High level communication, negotiation and facilitation skills, including understanding of social media in citizen engagement. Strong writing skills.
Demonstrated ability to speak on behalf of those with lived and living experience in a constructive way.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively, collaboratively, and cooperatively with groups, individuals and organizations. Builds credibility, understanding and trust in the external community to assist Foundry to meet its strategic directions.
Knowledge of participatory community-based research, planning and analysis skills, and ability to synthesize information from a vast range of sources into practical plans and useful recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to independently determine appropriate levels of engagement with internal and external stakeholders while ensuring leadership staff are informed.
Demonstrated project management skills.
Demonstrated computer literacy and word-processing skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supports the development of a comprehensive engagement strategy, with a focus on young people, that integrates with Foundry’s planning and organizational priorities, including themes related to: strategies to support relationship building, build engagement reach and youth participation, integration of engagement protocols, processes and structures for enhanced youth decision making in the design and delivery of Foundry research, services and supports.

Increases the Foundry network’s organizational capacity to meaningfully engage with young people locally and provincially. This includes inclusion, partnership and meaningful engagement of young people in governance, decision-making processes and the design and delivery of Foundry services, policy and program development, research, evaluation and education. Representation of Foundry to communities, related stakeholders and partner organizations.

Leads and facilitates events, working groups, workshops and meetings attended by Foundry central staff, partners and young people. Ensures appropriate and culturally safe processes and engaged and effective two-way communication. Supports Foundry centres in facilitating local conversations with youth, families and partners as required.

Creates opportunities and supports youth in Foundry’s research and evaluation program to attend conferences, develop leadership skills and advise on the youth engagement strategy within research and evaluation projects.

Supervises and provides leadership to the Foundry Youth Peer Engagement Coordinators by being the main point of contact for all inquiries related to youth engagement within the Foundry network. Mentors and empowers young people with lived and living experience on Foundry’s YFE team.

Leads the orientation planning of new Youth Peer Engagement Coordinators.

Works with the Indigenous Wellness team to integrate Indigenous cultural safety and humility knowledge into work by committing to ongoing learning and self-reflection about culture and biases and their impacts on equitable access to health care for young people.

Assists in the development of educational resources, guides and strategies to enhance FCO and Foundry centres’ organizational capacity to respectfully engage youth in the design and delivery of Foundry services and supports.

Participates in establishing and preparing standards, policies, procedures and instructions that contribute to the effectiveness, safety and inclusivity of youth engagement within FCO and across the network.

Supports Lead with Foundry Experience initiatives to create and maintain a consistent, optimal experience for young people within the Foundry network that is in line with the organization’s values and brand.

Recognizes where skill development is needed within Foundry’s Provincial Youth Network and creates opportunities for young people across the province to acquire the skills to thrive as young leaders and advocates in their local community.

Prepares reports, briefs, presentations, discussion and option papers and frameworks by formulating, researching, and identifying youth engagement experiences.

Develops personal performance goals and objectives consistent with Foundry’s vision, mission and values and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation.

Performs other related duties as required.

Vaccination Flag

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.