Community Engagement Manager

Somerset West Community Health Centre•Ottawa, ON

3d•CA$89,509 - CA$105,520•Onsite

About The Position

We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture. SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone. The Community Engagement portfolio supports community wellbeing through health promotion, community development, Chinese seniors programming, and place-based community services. This work is grounded in the Community Health Centre model of care and focuses on strengthening community capacity, reducing barriers to access, and advancing health equity. Through collaborative programs and partnerships, the portfolio responds to community priorities and supports inclusive, community-informed approaches that promote participation, advocacy, and overall wellbeing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Social Work, Sociology, Public Health, Community Development, or a related field), or an equivalent combination of education, lived experience, and progressively responsible experience in community development, community engagement, or population health.
Demonstrated ability to design and successfully strategic initiatives.
Fluency in English is required.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of French or other languages are an asset.
Understanding of the Community Health Centre model of care, including community development lens.
Demonstrated commitment to the principles of health equity, inclusion and anti-racism/anti-oppression.
Strong understanding of equity, anti-racism, the social determinants of health and how these issues relate to the policy and political systems.
Demonstrated analytical and policy analysis skills and the ability to synthesize and communicate with different audiences.
Demonstrated broad-based management skills including leadership, human resources, finance, decision-making, change management and communications.
Community program development and project management skills and experience.
Strong technical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google, social media platforms and productivity tools (for example, Canva, Survey Monkey).

Responsibilities

Provides strategic and operational leadership for the Community Engagement portfolio, ensuring that programs, services, partnerships, and community development initiatives are delivered in alignment with Somerset West Community Health Centre's mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Accountable for the leadership, supervision, and performance of the Community Engagement team and provides oversight of the Community Health Promotion, Indigenous Initiatives, Rochester Heights Community House, Mechanicsville, Sunshine Hub, and Yet Keen Seniors portfolios.
Coordinates the strategic advocacy of the SWCHC Board of Directors, to facilitate the development of healthy public policy with all levels of government.
Plays a key leadership function in advancing equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression, recognizing and addressing systemic barriers that impact community health and wellbeing.
Using a community development framework, identifies the needs of the community through relationship building, needs assessments, focus groups, and community forums.
Maintains awareness of community health and wellbeing issues and opportunities.
Facilitates community participation and mobilization by supporting the efforts of formal and informal community organizations, resident groups, and community leaders.
Coordinates the Advocacy Committee of the Board of Directors, aligned with the committee work plan.
Leads the analysis and response on strategic advocacy issues.
Promotes the development of leadership and advocacy skills amongst members of the community, staff and the Board of Directors.
Engages local resources and all political levels to address community issues.
Establishes strong networks with external organizations, agencies and community associations to foster opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
Acts as a resource person and provides linkages with associations and agencies within the community.
Liaises and collaborates with external groups/agencies to ensure effective and comprehensive service delivery and to represent SWCHC in groups and coalitions that adders the social determinants of health.
Develops, monitors and adjusts program budgets in collaboration with the Director of Family and Community Services.
Approves program operating expenditures within budget and prepares relevant reports.
Assumes responsibility for all aspects of human resource management.
Responsible for team leadership including communications and capacity building.
Consults with the Director of People Services on significant human resource issues.
Develops, implements, and evaluates programs, projects and services that are aligned with the strategic plan and responsive to community priorities.
Provides leadership and supervision to the Indigenous Cultural Facilitator to advance Indigenous-led initiatives, organizational learning, and reconciliation commitments across Somerset West Community Health Centre, ensuring the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing, culturally grounded practices, and Indigenous perspectives into organizational policies, programs, services, partnerships, and staff development.
Identifies and manages program resources and ensures accountability for funding.
With staff, delivers high quality programs and services.
Maintains up-to-date professional skills through formal training and review of current research and best practices.
For the purposes of the Signing Authority/Spending Limits Policy, the Manager has the authority to develop program budgets and authorize expenditures within approved program operating budgets and in accordance with SWCHC policies.
The Manager consults with the Director of Family and Community Services on the following: significant legal issues; serious staff performance issues; non-routine budget adjustments or submissions; and other significant issues which may impact SWCHC.