Employment: Strategic Policy Advisor

Strategic Policy Advisor

Job No: 61932

Location: Vancouver, BC

About the Organization

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) is a non-profit society providing service to urban Aboriginal children and families living in the Greater Vancouver area.

About the Opportunity

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) has an excellent opportunity to join our team in the vital role of Strategic Policy Advisor.

Reporting to the Director of Programs, your overall responsibilities will include supporting and advancing Aboriginal child welfare practice in all VACFSS program areas, including Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Resources, Guardianship, Family Preservation and Integrated Services.

You will also be accountable for providing critical analysis of new and existing policies and developing policy procedures and directives within the context of evidence-based best practices with Aboriginal children, youth and families.

Our ideal candidate will have a MSW with specialization in child welfare, critical analysis, and/or applied research. Alternatively, we will consider those individuals with a BSW and MA in a related field if you have specialization in child welfare.

You will also have 5 to 10 years of experience in child welfare, including front-line child protection work and the ability to bridge the gap between the two areas where practice needs to be redefined. We are also looking for individuals who have experience in writing, producing and maintaining policy and procedure manuals.

To succeed in this role, you will have strong knowledge of the impact of colonialism on Canada’s Aboriginal people and the ability to develop policies that incorporate cultural knowledge. Your understanding of case management approaches is complemented by knowledge, demonstrated research abilities and understanding in all child welfare service areas.

Proficiency with MS Office and Qualitative Data Analysis software, as well as applications such as SPSS, NVivo, ATLAS.ti and Excel is required. A valid Driver's Licence is essential, as is the ability to provide a Criminal Reference Check. Eligibility for C6 delegation is an asset.

We want to speak with you if you have experience in adult education/training, curriculum development and policy writing and the ability to protect the privacy and confidentiality of information obtained while conducting studies.

Preference will be given to candidates of Aboriginal ancestry or candidates with demonstrated skills and experience working with Aboriginal people and communities.

About the Benefits

In exchange for your contributions to VACFSS, you will receive a generous salary of $61,939.91 to $70,823.84 and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, extended health, and dental
•  Group life
• 100% employer-paid premiums
• 3 weeks of vacation
• Eligible for the VACFSS flex program after passing probation
• Membership in the Public Service Pension Plan

That’s not all! VACFSS offers a variety of wellness opportunities to staff to assist you in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. There are also numerous opportunities for career advancement for employees who excel with VACFSS.

If you're looking for a new career challenge where you will be welcomed into a supportive and friendly team culture, Apply Now!

For full details and to apply online, please visit www.applyfirst.ca/job61932

Applications close 16 December, 2014.