Description

Work with purpose at United for Literacy  

Formerly Frontier College, United for Literacy is the national registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and adults through literacy. Our vision is: Literacy is recognized as a human right and a driving force to empowerment and prosperity. United for Literacy leads the effort in Canada to help people and communities achieve their goals through the power of literacy.  

Since 1899, our All Welcome! approach and innovative services have been transforming every place into a learning place. In the past year, nearly 25,000 children, youth, and adults in over 200 urban, rural, and remote places across Canada (including 137 Indigenous communities) gained access to free, inclusive literacy and numeracy programs. These programs took place both in person and online, and they were supported by nearly 2,500 trained volunteer tutors nationwide.  

Our United for Literacy Kitchener-Waterloo programs are located on land that is the traditional home of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. This land, within the Haldimand tract is promised to the Six Nations and takes in six miles on each side of the Grand River. We offer our gratitude to the First Nations for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we respect the history, spirituality, and culture of Indigenous Peoples and acknowledge the history and legacy of Colonialism as we continue to seek justice and honour the spirit of reconciliation in all that we do. 

The opportunity  

The Program Support position will require a commitment of 18 hours per week. The workload for this position will vary throughout the contract and will require flexibility on the part of the candidate. This position requires the candidate to participate in both in-person and online programs, which take place in the late afternoons/early evenings. The Program Support roles will have a balance of volunteer management, program coordination, and administrative responsibilities as detailed below. 

Overall accountability  

The Program Support position will work both independently and collaboratively to support the work of the Community Coordinator. This position reports to the Southern Ontario Regional Manager. 

Main responsibilities & major duties  

1) Program Support, Implementation and Evaluation (50%)  

• Support the coordination and implementation of in-person and online tutoring programs and educational/special events for families. 

• Lead and participate in tutoring programs in Kitchener-Waterloo. 

• Collaborate to create program plans and activities that respond to community/learner needs and interests. 

• Support program operations by collecting, organizing, and distributing program materials and resources at program locations in the community. 

• Assist with the distribution and collection of evaluation materials. 

2) Volunteer Coordination (35%) 

• Support in the mobilization of a team of 100-120 volunteer Tutors (including placement students, youth, and adults) who will support United for Literacy’s programs 

• Work with an Organizational Team (OT) comprised of Program Leaders to help support the delivery of in-person and online children and youth programs in Kitchener-Waterloo. 

• Implement volunteer recruitment initiatives on University of Waterloo and Laurier University campuses, in high schools, and community. 

• Carry out volunteer screening practices including scheduling and participating in volunteer interviews, completing references, and facilitating tutor training sessions. 

• Provide program resources to Tutors and Program Leaders. 

3) Administrative (15%) 

• Promptly follow up with volunteer and program inquiries. 

• Collect, track program statistics, and enter program/volunteer data into Salesforce. 

Competencies  

• Communication, creativity, confidence, organizational/time management, mentorship, resourcefulness, resiliency, and adaptability. 

Requirements  

• Available to lead in-person and online programs during weeknights and weekends (if necessary) 

• Excellent spoken and written communication   

• Experience delivering and managing small group learning sessions  

• Experience working with diverse groups and ages 

• Experience with volunteers and working in community settings 

• One to three years of relevant work or volunteer experience 

• Able to think critically, prioritize, solve problems, and manage details  

• Can work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced and changing environment 

• Solid Computer skills (MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel and Internet). 

Additional Assets 

• Knowledge of social media platforms and ability to create promotional materials using CANVA 

• Have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle 

• One to three years of relevant work experience 

• Background in non-formal education  

• Knowledge of the Region of Waterloo 

Compensation  

Salary of $20.00 per hour and Vacation pay (6%) 

Working at United for Literacy - You will benefit from:  

• A supportive work environment that seeks to be open, inclusive, and fun 

• Staff-led groups and committees include, among others: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); Internal Skills Development; and more. 

• Connecting with your colleagues from coast to coast to coast for team-wide training and learning. 

Interested candidates should send a résumé and cover letter to:  

Emily Davies-Robinson, Regional Manager, Southern Ontario 

Email: [email protected]  

Closing date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025   

For more information about United for Literacy visit www.unitedforliteracy.ca  

You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview.   

We encourage applications that reflect the diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds we serve at United for Literacy. In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of our organization, we encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. Furthermore, we welcome applications from individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. We are committed to integration and maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation. We invite applicants to request accommodation, as required, throughout the application and hiring process.