Program Development Specialist (SH)

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is! 

Supportive Housing offers affordable permanent housing for those living on low income who may have experienced homelessness. Program includes on-site supports to maintain independent living. The Program Development Specialist will apply their skills in policy development, research, and engagement to create a robust and culturally grounded framework for Friendship Village. With a focus on Indigenous inclusion and best practices in supportive housing, this role will lead the creation of policy and process tools that reflect equity, accountability, and evidence-based practice.

** This is a contract position, from approximately July 21, 2025 to January 23, 2026.

This is a full-time position, offering 37.5 hours per week. Schedule Monday to Friday, generally daytime hours. Some pre-planned evening and weekend hours to support the program.

Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector)

required pre-employment. **

Given the nature of this role and our commitment to reconciliation and community partnerships, we welcome applicants who identify as indigenous or who bring experience working in and with indigenous communities.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Lead the review, development, and creation of program policies and procedures rooted in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices

·        Lead the integration of Indigenous practices into programs, in alignment with House of Friendship’s Indigenous Equity Plan

·        Lead collaborative work with internal program teams to understand current processes and program needs as they relate to Indigenous practice

·        Build collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, knowledge holders, and partners to ensure culturally safe and community-informed programs

·        Ensure Indigenous inclusion in all stages of policy work, from research and consultation to implementation and evaluation

·        Lead the development of training and rollout strategies to embed policies effectively in team culture and practice

·        Conduct community-based research to identify emerging trends, gaps in service, and effective housing supports for individuals with complex needs

·        Align new policies with organizational goals and external standards (e.g., Accreditation Canada, Region of Waterloo Housing Services)

·        Create a policy development work plan that includes timelines and clearly defined responsibilities for ongoing policy review beyond the grant period

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

·        Knowledge of local Indigenous communities, governance, and service organizations in Waterloo Region is a strong asset

·        Strong commitment to relationship-centered, culturally safe approaches rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing

·        Knowledge of local community agencies and resources is an asset

·        Passion for providing exceptional services to people experiencing trauma, mental health, addiction, poor health, poverty and/or homelessness

·        Highly organized, with ability to develop, implement and streamline administrative processes

·        Maintaining a positive approach to the work and each challenge that is presented

Education/Experience:

·        Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Healthcare or other related fields is required

·        At least two (2) years related experience in program support and administration, ideally within a social services or healthcare environment

·        Experience collaborating with Indigenous partners, including consultation, facilitation, and relationship-building

·        Strong skills in project management, policy writing, and community-based research

·        Strong organizational and computer skills, ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks and deadlines are required

·        Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining productive relationships (staff, community partners, students, volunteers and donors)

Critical Skills:

·        Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

·        Maintain connection to your personal reasons for doing this work and how your purpose connects to the mission, vision and values of the organization and program

·        Experience or strong interest in working with diverse and vulnerable populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

·        Commitment to consistently upholding the policies and procedures for the program and organization, even when circumstances make it difficult to do so

·        Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills required

·        Ability to foster relationships with key partners, effectively build formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization to increase opportunities for innovation and positively impact outcomes

·        Strong intercultural competency, with the ability to recognize and respect cultural diversity, able to be diplomatic and sensitive to the dynamics of a culturally diverse workplace

·        Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach in consultation, program design, evaluation processes and service delivery

·        Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental health and other life challenges

·        Excellent organizational and time management skills – attention to detail including skills in logistics, planning and objective note keeping

·        Able to model effective problem solving by recognizing the human, interpersonal and technical sides of a problem, seeking additional information, developing and weighing alternatives, and choosing the more appropriate course of action given the circumstances

·        Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

Compensation:

At House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

·        Time off includes vacation pay and 2 personal days per year

·        Employee & Family Assistance Program

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade: 5

Min: $27.31

Mid: $31.34

Max: $35.37

Working Conditions: 

·        37.5 hours per week; generally daytime with pre-planned evening and weekend work

·        This is a six-month, project-based role beginning in July 2025

·        Occasional travel throughout the Region of Waterloo for required meetings and community engagement

·        Access to a vehicle and current driver’s license is an asset

·        Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive, work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing employment including, but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process, including applying for this position, please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/program-development-specialist-sh-kitchener-on-x7EeBN

By end of day June 30, 2025.