Position Title: Self-Employment Worker - Immigrant and Minority Women

Start and End Date: April 1, 2024 to March 28, 2025

Salary Range: $49,000 - $51,000

Hours & Location: 35 hours/week Hybrid /NYCH sites                                                                                                        

Wo We Are

North York Community House (NYCH) is a dynamic community agency that has been working with residents of under-resourced and low-income neighbourhoods in northwest Toronto for over 30 years. We are committed to helping people move out of poverty in order to build strong, vibrant communities. We support new Canadians, children, youth and their families, seniors, and local residents in becoming active and engaged citizens, who are able to thrive and become leaders in their own lives and in their communities.

Position Summary

A lack of employment opportunities is one of the most significant problems facing immigrant and minority women in Metropolitan Toronto. The Self-Employment Support Worker – Immigrant and Minority Women will focus on assisting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) eligible immigrant and minority women and those who identify as women clients with self-employment readiness. This will be achieved by encouraging immigrant and minority women in their self-employment goals through one-on-one support, coaching, and group sessions/workshops to connect them with self-employment resources and support in the sector. This position will develop partnerships within the entrepreneurship sector to transition women clients to these programs for self-employment goals.

Main responsibilities

• Interview immigrant and minority women clients to assess entrepreneurship goals and the viability of their goals for the entrepreneurship sector.
• Provide one-on-one services to support immigrant and minority women clients in writing business plans, share information and resources on securing a business loan, and connect them with other organizations to offer in-depth services to develop their businesses. 
• Based on the client’s needs, plan and facilitate workshops/groups sessions to provide basic self-employment information and resources to clients.
• Research and identify appropriate partners and services for immigrant and minority women who are interested in self-employment and entrepreneurship.
• Develop partnerships within the entrepreneurship sector to transition women clients to these programs for self-employment goals. 
• Build a robust portfolio of organizations supporting immigrant and minority women with self-employment services and resources. Develop a list of self-employment hubs focused on supporting immigrant and minority women within the communities.  
• Work with immigrant and minority women clients in preparing them to transition to partner agencies to develop their business plans and marketing strategies.
• Follow up and provide ongoing support to immigrant and minority women clients during the transition stages to the other organizations or entrepreneurs hubs.
• Work with partner agencies to facilitate workshops and other self-employment events to help clients gain knowledge and develop their network.
• Support immigrant and minority women clients in soft skills development, including communication skills, public speaking skills, customer service skills, etc.
• Work with NYCH staff in different locations (schools and libraries) to recruit clients for the program.
• Participate in committees and coalitions around entrepreneurship support for immigrant and minority women.

Program Evaluation and Administration

• Maintain/enter and submit program information and evaluative data around participant progress and program outcomes. 
• Collect and analyze program evaluation data to enhance program planning and use evidence to effectively share the impact of the program. 
• Complete and submit program monthly narrative reports, timesheets, program expenses and receipts, and other administrative forms on a timely basis.

 Education

• The minimum level of education is a community college diploma in career/employment counseling, social services, or related fields. As well as a combination of education and lived experience in self-employment.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum 2 years experience providing employment support, preferably to immigrant and minority women in Canada. 
• Demonstrated success in operating a business for a minimum of 2 years as a self-employed individual. 
• Minimum of 1-year experience working with women interested in self-employment. 
• A willingness to learn and be open to taking directions and supervision.  
• Knowledge of issues/barriers facing newcomers to Canada and their needs around employment. 
• Ability to build strong partnerships and network with stakeholders.  
• A strong knowledge of current self-employment resources in Toronto particularly focused on immigrant and minority women.  
• Awareness of the intersectionality of newcomers (i.e. racialized, LGBTQIA+, GBV survivor, (dis)ability etc.) 
• Able to support and contribute to anti-racism and anti-oppression work. 
• Excellent teamwork, networking, and partnership development skills. 
• Strong experience in providing one-on-one support and coaching. 
• Demonstrated skills in the development and facilitation of group training sessions. 
• Excellent communication skills in English, written and verbal; other languages are an asset. 
• Solid computer skills, specifically with Microsoft Office, cloud applications, and social media. 

Additional Requirements:

• Candidates will be asked to declare their vaccination status during the recruitment process. Successful candidates will be required to provide proof before or directly upon the start of their employment.
• Documented proof of a valid police reference check is required for employment at NYCH, as well as an annual declaration. Mostly works regular hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with occasional evening/weekend work, and some travel required within Toronto. Works primarily at NYCH locations and other community sites.