Positions available: Eight (8)
Position Type: Full-Time Temporary, February 16, 2021, to May 31, 2021 (with possibility of extension on a part-time basis)
Wage: $25 per hour
Location: Flexible within Canada. Preference for Atlantic, Prairies, Quebec or Territories.
Language: English and/or French. Some positions require French.
Status: Closed
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of sexual and gender minority populations through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars – community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development – position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities. CBRC was incorporated in 1999 and is a non-profit charitable organization. Our main office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia; we also have satellite offices located in Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax.
Description
Test Now Peers will work as part of the Sex Now: Test @ Home Edition. Sex Now is CBRC’s principal community-based research initiative and Canada’s largest and longest running survey of GBT2Q men’s health. Test Now Peers will support diverse people who may have acquired HIV to access and undertake HIV self-testing by providing peer education and counseling; linkage to prevention, care and support; access to HIV self-test kits; and support to conduct HIV self-testing. The key populations that this position will support are gay, bisexual, transgender, Two-Spirit or queer men and non-binary people.
This is a 4-month position starting February 16, 2021 and expecting to run until May 31, 2021. There is a possibility for extension, most likely in a part-time capacity. This position will require someone who can accommodate flexible work hours as the work involved scheduled hours during the day, evening and weekends and will involve contacting people across all time zones. It is intended that this work will be performed in a work-from-home/work-from-anywhere environment to better accommodate the need for a flexible work schedule.
Education
At CBRC, we recognize the value of a variety of educational experiences, including but not limited to academic, career-based, and personal learnings. No application is disregarded due to having not met a formal educational threshold.
Job Responsibilities
Working in collaboration with and under the guidance of the Project Coordinator and Project team, Test Now Peers will:
- Provide virtual and phone peer counselling on HIV self-testing, and potentially in-person assistance depending on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions;
- Inform and educate individuals and larger audiences about the value of HIV testing, getting linked to care, and prevention practices;
- Assist with self-test performance as needed based on your assessment of client knowledge within defined parameters;
- Provide education, resources, referrals and linkage to care for HIV prevention, treatment and care for participants;
- Provide education, resources, referrals and linkage to care for sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) prevention, treatment and care for participants;
- Participate in regular training to support project activities;
- Promotion of the project to key high-risk community members to increase awareness of HIV self-test;
- Conduct and support data collection for research program, including consent protocols
- Assist in administrative and logistic coordination of project activities and maintain confidential and accurate files;
- Participate in community engagement and knowledge translation activities of project;
- Attend and participate in structured debriefing sessions; and
- Comply with the organization’s policies and procedures, including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality of participates and business operations.
Skills Required
- Strong emotional self-management skills:
- Ability to keep your own feelings in check while helping someone else through theirs;
- Ability to think creatively when assessing and analyzing problems;
- Ability to set firm boundaries and practice assertive communication;
- Ability to put your own person views aside;
- Ability to draw upon your own personal lived experience in dealing with HIV, or in helping others in dealing with significant life issues;
- You are an intuitive listener;
- A compassionate person with the ability to treat others with dignity and respect;
- An ability to engage people who have difficulty trusting others or revealing information about themselves;
- Someone who enjoys working with a team and knows how to engage with others towards a common set of goals and objectives; and
- A person who is comfortable working independently, but knows when to seek guidance and help as required.
Other Qualifications
- Lived experience as a person living with HIV or a person with lived experience as a community member of a group at increased risk of acquiring HIV. We especially encourage applications from African, Caribbean or Black folks and/or; gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer men; transgender women; non-binary or Two-Spirit people; Indigenous people; or people who use/inject substances;
- Ability to work independently and as part of the project team;
- Familiarity with the use of email and internet-based programs for virtual peer navigation and data entry including video communication;
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word is an asset;
- Highly organized and have strong time management skills;
- Experience working in community settings; background in using health promotion/community development approaches is an asset;
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, and experience working with marginalized populations;
- Knowledge on HIV/AIDS and other sexual health issues is an asset;
- Knowledge and/or experience of issues experienced by people at risk, affected or living with HIV is an asset;
- Peer support and counseling skills or equivalent experience;
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-oppression, and anti-racism and empowerment principles and practices;
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to uphold confidentiality is essential for this position;
- English and/or French language skills (oral and written) are required. Fluency in one or more other languages spoken is also considered an asset.
How to Apply
Please email your application to Simon Child, Test Now Peer Coordinator, at [email protected]. All applicants are required to provide a cover letter and a resume.
Application will be reviewed and interviews offered on a rolling basis. This posting will remain up until all positions are filled.
CBRC believes in work led by and for community. As part of our commitment to employment equity, we encourage applications from queer, trans, and non-binary Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, Two-Spirit people, people living with HIV, people living with Hepatitis C, people with disabilities, gay and bisexual men, and other people with fabulous and diverse identities and experiences.
