Job title: GAP Committee Coordinator
Department: Community Development
Reports to: Manager, Social Planning and Research and Team Lead, Community Development and Planning
Hours of work: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 37.5 hours per week

Job purpose

The GAP Committee, established in Durham Region in 2019, is a group of people with lived experience of homelessness or housing precarity who work in partnership with service providers and other caring partners to fill the gaps in services and find shared solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Durham Region.

Reporting to the Manager, Social Planning and Research, the Gap Committee Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the GAP Committee meetings, planning and promoting their events and providing administrative support to members. The Coordinator will also be expected to represent Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) at all GAP Committee events and meetings and keep CDCD leadership informed of Gap Committee activities.

In addition, the GAP Committee Coordinator will stay up-to-date on developments in the homelessness serving sector in the Durham Region by participating in sector tables established by the Region of Durham and other province-wide networks. The Coordinator will also conduct outreach across Durham to recruit additional people with lived experience onto the Committee and share information about the Committee’s work and objectives.

Company Overview
Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is an independent, not-for-profit social planning organization that has been working to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities in Durham for over 55 years. Guided by anti-oppression/anti-racist principles, we organize a variety of research, community development and social planning initiatives as well as administer and deliver front line social service programs. Please visit us at www.cdcd.org for more information.

Duties and responsibilities

• Using client-centered, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, gender-based analysis plus+ and strength-based approaches, coordinate and administratively support the GAP Committee (organizing meetings, booking space, creating agendas, and taking minutes).
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection measures for all community partners, clients, and staff.
• Promote a high-functioning teamwork environment that is inclusive, harmonious, cooperative, efficient and productive.
• Participates in promoting a positive workplace culture through agency committee membership and departmental activities.
• Follow general directions and instructions from Team Leads within the Community Development department.
• Organize special events (booking space, ordering food, sending out invitations) that help the GAP Committee achieve its goals of stigma reduction and zero homelessness in Durham Region.
• Serve as an informational resource and advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing precarity in Durham Region, interacting with committee members and others with lived experience of homelessness or housing precarity in a respectful and empowering manner.
• Identify and attend community events to increase CDCD’s community outreach and public education about housing, homelessness prevention and best practices for engaging people with lived experience.
• Identify opportunities for members of the GAP Committee to have input into homelessness services and initiatives that are occurring in Durham Region.
• In partnership with CDCD’s Housing Department, create and facilitate group sessions and presentations on housing-related topics relevant to community stakeholders, housing providers, and residents.
• Maintain the GAP Committee website and social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, X), ensuring timely postings of upcoming meetings and events and pertinent information regarding developments in homelessness nationally and locally.
• Contribute to the work of the Community Development Department and collaborate positively with team members.
• Keep direct supervisors informed of new developments with and events being planned by the GAP Committee.
• Draft quarterly reports to funders outlining the activities undertaken by the GAP Committee members.

The job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or College Diploma in Social Services or another similar program.

• At least three years of experience working with and advocating for people with lived experience of homelessness or housing precarity.

• Proficiency in meeting administration, event planning and coordination, group facilitation and presentations.

• Skilled in conducting outreach to community members for the purpose of raising awareness, education and recruitment.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Canva and website and social media maintenance.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills and the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrated experience working as part of and contributing to a multidisciplinary team.

• An ability to work across departments in a fast-paced and multi-service agency to support the work of the agency and efforts to reduce homelessness in Durham Region.

• Ability to work collaboratively with people with lived experience and support them to implement impactful initiatives that change community member perceptions of people who are homelessness and advocate for enhanced homelessness services and affordable housing in Durham.

Additional Requirements

• The GAP Committee Coordinator will work out of an office environment and will be required to lift up to 20 lbs. Prolonged sitting is required.

• The GAP Committee Coordinator will need to be flexible in the case of attending evening and/or weekend meetings and events as required.

• A valid Ontario driver’s license (Class G), use of a vehicle and insurance with the ability to work in a variety of settings.

• The successful candidate must provide valid vulnerable sector check prior to commencing employment.

• The physical ability to function effectively in an environment that includes both a normal office and duties being carried out in an external setting.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants are requested to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their strengths, experience, and aptitude to fulfill the position requirements.

Please submit applications to “GAP Committee Coordinator” at: https://communitydevelopmentcouncildurha.easyapply.co

CDCD thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those asked for additional information and/or selected for an interview will be contacted.

CDCD is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that represents the cultural mosaic of the Durham Region and the communities we serve. We recognize the value that comes from the different viewpoints, unique experiences and diverse perspectives of our employees, who bring fresh, new ideas to our business. Diversity plays a key role in our ability to deliver our mission.

CDCD is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

As an employer, CDCD has a duty to accommodate potential candidates throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.