Career Advisor, Afghan Women’s Employment Program

YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Afghan Women’s Employment program is tailored to support Afghan Refugee self-identified women in building their careers in BC. This project is an employment and skills-building program for self-identified Afghan women.

The Career Advisor role works directly with clients in one-on-one and group-based environments, providing guidance and skills-building support in person and virtual. One of the position's key responsibilities is connecting with employers and organizations across industries to identify job opportunities for clients, create job placements for the program participants, engage them as mentors and guest speakers, and help program clients build their professional network.

What you’ll be doing:

• Creating job placements, facilitating workshops, and providing career advising. Researching, developing, and delivering curriculum and workshop materials.

• Working with Racialized self-identified Refugee Women to meet monthly job placement targets and connecting clients with employment opportunities, hiring fairs, and other employment-related events.

• Researching, developing, and facilitating curriculum and workshop materials.

• Conducting outreach activities throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including information sessions, networking events, and guest speaker presentations, and collaborating with internal departments for program promotion.

• Assessing client needs, creating action plans, and tracking project outcomes; generating monthly reports on metrics, and conducting client follow-up and surveys.

• Marketing to employers to promote specific candidate skill sets, marketing the right skills to the right job leads.

• Providing ongoing support to clients including connecting clients to employment programming and community resources, championing the program within the community, and representing the organization at offsite workshops/presentations.

• Strategizing with leadership to continually improve program effectiveness and employment statistics.

• Adhere to onsite Health and Safety Procedures.

• Other duties as required.

What you’ll need:

• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills, and working knowledge of English and another language (Dari and Pashto preferred).

• Strong job development and market connections with employers and recruiters.

• Comprehensive knowledge of employment programs/services, adult learning methodologies, and local labour market conditions.

• Excellent presentation and facilitation/training skills.

• In-depth understanding of barriers faced by diverse client groups, with proven solutions.

• Passion for supporting Afghan self-identified refugee women holistically. Proven cross-cultural skills, particularly with low literacy and low English proficiency clients.

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating tact, patience, and cultural sensitivity with clients.

• A motivated, flexible, and positive individual who is excited and driven to ensure others are successful, both individually and as part of a team.

• Excellent computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), video conferencing and office equipment.

• Must be fluent in English and have a second language, such as Dari and Pashto preferable.

• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, the ability to work in person during office hours at the YWCA Tri-Cities location; willingness to work at and commute to other YWCA locations in Metro Vancouver on various occasions.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and work remotely if required.

• Related post-secondary degree or diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience in Social Services, Psychology, Humanities, or Counselling. Two years of experience providing assessment, employment counseling, facilitation, job development, and referral services.

• CCDP Certification is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• A valid, clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

• The YWCA Metro Vancouver’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended, so vaccination for COVID-19 is not required. However, should circumstances change, and the YWCA deem it necessary to reintroduce such a policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

What we offer:

• Extended medical and dental benefits.

• A defined benefit pension plan.

• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions.

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members.

• Free membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel, and priority in YWCA Child Care centers.

• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety, and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees that help support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.

• Pay Rate: $30.55

How to Apply:

This is an exciting time for the YWCA. Join us and be part of an inclusive, dedicated, and impactful workplace! Candidates are invited to send cover letters and resumes until the position is filled to:

Nargis Tanai, Manager (she/her)

Suite 206 - 2540 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam, BC - V3C 3W4

email: [email protected]

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview processes are accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations in submitting your application, or have other questions, please contact the hiring manager. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, transferable skills, lived experience, and business need. We thank all who apply, but only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about this and other YWCA Metro Vancouver career opportunities, please visit ywcavan.org.