Nourishing Nations Coordinator

Job post date: 14 April 2025

Reports to: Housing and Homeless Prevention Program Manager

Classification: Full-time, 35 hours per week.

Salary: 28.00 -30.85

Location: 14727 108 Ave, Surrey BC

Benefits: Extended Health Benefits, Paid time off, on-site parking, wellness program

About Us:

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association is a non-profit organization that provides a diverse range of culturally safe and supportive services to Indigenous People residing in the Fraser Region. As a Friendship Center, we work to strengthen connections to culture, community and wellness and work from a decolonizing perspective. Our philosophy is to provide a culturally safe, collaborative wrap around model of care.

About Surrey:

The City of Surrey is one of 21 municipalities in Metro Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. We are located on the Lower Mainland on the south side of the Fraser River and share a border with the United States of America. Surrey is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Salish Peoples, includingthe q̓icəy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo) land-based nations.

Position Summary:

The Nourishing Nations Program Coordinator at FRAFCA will be a passionate, proactive individual who is keen to add value and serve the overall purpose of the program. This individual will build community capacity for health promotion, disease prevention and provide ample opportunities for self-improvement. The program will develop a current inventory of services and will complement existing services focused on the Indigenous people who are most vulnerable. The candidate must be able to take calculated risks, be a negotiator and be comfortable in forming new relationships with other stake holders. The individual must be comfortable is reaching out to the homeless people and quickly gain their trust for value addition.

Why FRAFCA

  • Opportunity to work alongside cultural knowledge keepers & Elders
  • Holistic, culturally safe, approaches to serving our clients and community
  • Freedom to share and observe own cultural practices (i.e. smudging in the office)
  • Access WorkBC Employers Training grants and other bursaries to fund training & other professional development
  • Extended Health Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Travel) and Employee Assistance Plan after 3-months on continuous employment
  • 10 annual paid sick/personal leave days
  • Paid vacation days (up to 25 days based on years of service)
  • Offices   located    along   main    transportation routes;
  • Main office by the Skytrain station;
  • Parking available on-site

Your Duties:

Program Coordination:

  • As the Nourishing Nations – Program Coordinator, your duties will include:
  • Program Management:
  • Develop a promotional campaign through the development of brochures, posters, and innovative marketing strategies focusing on food security and distribution.
  • Develop a current inventory of services for marginalized people within community;
  • Network with other service providers to provide a safety network;
  • Develop a referral service to help individuals access mainstream services;
  • Implement educational group activities based on the medicine wheel and Coast Salish cultures
  • including drumming and singing and healing ceremonies;
  • Implement and maintain a holistic service program relating to both culture and traditions;
  • Plan, organize and implement daily and weekly food preparation and food distribution;
  • Manage reports and records;
  • Work in various settings such as management, outreach as well as one-one support for clients.
  • Develop program teams and possess relationship building skills;
  • Maintain professional ethics and approaches to resolve dilemmas working with clients;
  • Possess community Development knowledge and capacity building strengths;
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of FRAFCA events as requested;
  • Maintain an attitude of care, respect, optimism for their clients;
  • Use group leadership and facilitation skills;
  • Efficiently use conflict resolution skills as and when necessary;
  • Willingness and keenness to go the extra mile to serve the purpose of the job role;
  • Other related duties as requested

Reporting and Recording:

  • Monthly reports are required to meet both statistical and case management responsibilities. Monthly program reports are required as per FRAFCA policies. To provide Quarterly, Semi-Annual, Annual and Final reports as required.

Teamwork:

  • Develop and maintain a positive, participatory approach to teamwork to function seamlessly as part of the FRAFCA team
  • Promptly address those issues that may have an impact on cooperation, support and morale with their Supervisor, Executive Director and/or colleagues
  • Take ownership proactively for areas which require attention to successfully mee the purpose of this position

Confidentiality:

  • The Nourishing Nations Program Coordinator is expected to be familiar with and comply with the expectations of confidentiality as outlined in the FRAFCA Policies and the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or one of the other behavioral sciences Or equivalent amount of education and/or experience.
  • A minimum of 2 year of experience in a supervisory/managerial role and in managing multiple programs in the community non-profit sector.
  • Physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of performing the duties.
  • Maintain a clean criminal record check and vulnerable sector search.
  • Must adhere to the organization’s health and wellness plan

Key Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of the diversity of Indigenous cultures, identities, and lived history.
  • Ability to maintain strong and positive stakeholder relations and excellent interpersonal abilities.
  • Intent to contribute back to the community and passionate about community care
  • Substantial communication skills to function efficiently at the job role
  • Is proactive, a problem solver and can   quickly gain trust of people living on the streets
  • Be organized and pay attention to detail
  • Understand the impacts of poverty and marginalization and keen to contribute to the team for betterment of the situation
  • Experience in mentoring, supporting and leading multi-disciplinary, front-line staff.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous communities, organizations, and service providers within the Fraser Valley.
  • Knowledge of intergenerational impacts of residential school and colonization on the individual and family.
  • Competent use of Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights code, preference may be given to Aboriginal Applicants.

“We are committed to the National Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. FRAFCA is engaged primarily in promoting or serving the interests of Indigenous peoples, FRAFCA prioritizes employment to Indigenous peoples. Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants, unless that preference or employment would constitute a discriminatory practice under the Canadian Human Rights Act.”