Covenant House Toronto acknowledges that the land on which we meet is the Traditional Territory of many Indigenous Nations including the Ojibway, the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Today this territory is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples on this land and the importance of working to advance reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people here and across Canada.

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.
More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community. For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Covenant House Toronto’s approach is grounded in compassion, respect, and their belief that with the right support and guidance, young individuals can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. It is within this context that Covenant House Toronto invites nominations and applications for the role of Chief Program Officer (CPO), a position that will have an indelible impact on the future of the organization.
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will be at the helm of a dedicated team, embodying and instilling the organization's mission, vision, and values into day-to-day operations. Their leadership will serve as a guiding compass, inspiring staff to align their actions with these principles. Taking a youth-centric approach, the new CPO will consistently champion the youth perspective, ensuring their needs and well-being take precedence in all programmatic decisions.

As a prominent and accountable leader within Covenant House Toronto’s program areas, the ideal candidate will offer invaluable support, strategic direction, facilitating effective decision-making, and nurturing a culture of success anchored in a trauma-informed approach and guided by harm-reduction principles. Their guidance will be pivotal in ensuring the seamless provision of program supports and services, empowering their team to create a lasting impact. Adherence to relevant jurisdictional regulations and alignment of service planning with Covenant House’s organizational mission and strategic direction will be crucial aspects of the new Officer’s role. Furthermore, the incumbent’s financial expertise will drive optimal resource allocation, allowing the organization to maximize their impact on the lives of the youth they serve.

Qualifications
Among the qualifications being sought in candidates, the incoming leader must have a deep and abiding commitment to advancing reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion (including matters related to anti-Indigenous and anti-Balck racism) in all its forms and must believe, intrinsically, in the importance of leading with curiosity and welcoming ideas that can later be synthesized and turned into possibility. While all candidates are encouraged to apply and, in so doing, share how they see themselves adding value to the Covenant House environment, the following credentials and/or experiences are seen as possible markers of the candidates most likely to realize success in the role: A) post-secondary education/training in a relevant discipline related to the core purpose work at Covenant House Toronto (e.g., social work, child and youth care, community development, social science, psychology, nursing, etc.), combined with relevant senior-level management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; B) brings a data-driven decision-making process, continuous improvement mindset, and change management experience; C) an established history of managing complex budgets, formulating and implementing strategic goals and objectives, and analyzing financial data to inform decisions around viability of programs and services; D) a minimum of 15 years of experience in a social services setting; E) knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to homeless, trafficked youth, mental health, and addictions.

How to Apply
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Covenant House International. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital/parental status, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, genetic information, veteran/ military status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Covenant House is partnering with BIPOC Executive Search to ensure an applicant list that is diverse and is as intersectional as possible. 

In accordance with the AODA Act, for applicants living with a disability accommodation will be provided throughout the search process. Should accommodations be required, please make Melissa aware by using the above address.
We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.