New Job Africentric Child And Family Specialist (2 Positions) (Designated) In Nova Scotia

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as African Nova Scotian and/or Racially Visible Persons. You must self-identify during the application process.

African Nova Scotian - is any Nova Scotian who chooses to declare African ancestry, regardless of how long they have lived here and regardless of how much African ancestry they can declare.

Racially Visible Persons - persons, other than Indigenous people or African Nova Scotians, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family well-being (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of support and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Africentric, Child and Family Well-being, the Africentric Child and Family Well-being Specialist will embed an Africentric Lens into our social work practice framework. You will have an impactful role in reviewing all cases of African descent and will align and support the strategic plan and objectives of the Inclusion, Diversity and Community relation Division.

As the Specialist, you will have a direct impact on improving outcomes for children, youth, and families of African descent. Your role is pivotal in leading and supporting our programs and provides an excellent opportunity to participate in transformation projects and initiatives.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Specialist, you will have a key role in providing and enhancing cultural attentiveness, advice, and guidance to social workers, and in supporting children, youth, and families of African descent in all child and family wellbeing programs and services. You will embed an Africentric worldview/lens which includes the philosophy of “UBUNTU” the preservation, reunification, and attention to the needs of families of African descent in your work. You will achieve this by:

• Fostering collaboration/program support and development with government departments, agencies, and communities
• Providing subject matter expertise, recommendations, and reports on inquiries and cases consulted in accordance with Africentric principles
• Interpreting and clarifying legislation, standards policies and procedures for staff, management, clients, supported agencies, and the community
• Consulting on a regular basis with Social Workers, Therapists, and community leaders/elders
• Developing, recommending and implementing improvements to policies and procedures
• Ensuring appropriate referrals to services that have an Africentric Trauma based lens such as counselling and therapists
• Utilizing case and family group conferencing as a restorative practice

Qualifications and Experience

You have a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Social Work Degree and several years of relevant work experience in working with children and families in a supportive and collaborative role. You must be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW).

Essential qualities of yours include:

• Experience practicing with an Africentric worldview lens
• Knowledge of anti-Black racism practices and strategies
• Knowledge of available community-based resources and supports
• Familiarity with the social determinants of health for people of African descent in a Canadian context
• Working collaboratively and inclusively with diverse backgrounds and specifically with people of African Ancestry/Black Nova Scotians

Furthermore, you are highly motivated, adaptable to change, and have demonstrated experience in situations requiring innovative and proactive solutions. In-depth knowledge and expertise with respect to child and family well-being programs and policies, as well as the Children and Family Services Act is essential.

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please visit LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation, and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Excellent people skills and personal resilience are essential to succeed in this highly collaborative, human-centred environment. Your decisions have a significant impact on many, requiring your ability to balance conflicting views with multiple stakeholders.

Work is primarily within a comfortable office and there may be travel involved between offices within a region, and sometimes from region to region within the Province.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

A valid driver’s license is required, and you must be able to travel to various work site locations as required.

There are two (2) opportunities available.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules