Job Details

Employment Opportunity: Program Manager, Community-Based Sexual Violence Trauma Therapy
(Designated, Full-time, Permanent)

Designation Status
Avalon is committed to building a diverse team. This opportunity is designated to applicants that
identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian/Black, and/or People of Colour.

About Avalon
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides a continuum of supports and services to individuals of all
genders affected by sexualized violence in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. Since 1983, we have
advocated for survivors and worked to provide a safe space through a variety of services. We are
deeply committed to trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices that
centre equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. We are a proudly unionized workplace that is
dedicated to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and trauma-informed staff environment.

About the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and collaborative leader to join Avalon as the Program Manager for
our Community-Based Sexualized Violence Trauma Therapy (CB-SVTT) Program. In this impactful
role, you will guide the development and implementation of program policies across all
provincial sites, lead a diverse team of professionals, and champion trauma-informed, culturallyresponsive, community-based support for individuals impacted by sexualized violence. This role
offers a unique opportunity to shape and grow a program deeply rooted in feminist principles,
working closely with Avalon’s leadership and community partners to align the program’s
activities and objectives with the organization’s mission, goals, and guiding principles.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Program Leadership (35%)
• Ensure smooth and ethical operations of the therapy program, working closely with the
program leadership team to consult on matters impacting frontline staff and clients, such
as standards of practice, high-risk clinical issues, vicarious and secondary trauma,
secondary wounding, and client concerns.
• Oversee provincial service delivery model, working collaboratively with Avalon leadership
and community partners to ensure the program meets its strategic objectives and goals in
line with Avalon’s values and guiding principles.
• Regularly review and update program policies, procedures, and standards of practice to
ensure the sound ethical functioning of services in accordance with relevant legislation
and regulations.
• Help to ensure a healthy and safe work environment in accordance with Avalon’s values
and relevant legislation and regulations.
• Contribute to organization-wide commitments to anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO).
• Participate in regular staff and leadership meetings as required.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement (25%)
• Work alongside the Executive Director to ensure clear and effective communication with
program funder(s) at Nova Scotia Health.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to build and strengthen program partnerships,
ensuring the effective delivery of CB-SVTT services across all four provincial health zones.
• Develop and maintain strong interagency relationships to enhance program visibility,
streamline referral and navigation pathways, and promote collaboration and connection.

Resource Management and Program Reporting (25%)
• Work closely with the Executive Director and finance team to prepare and manage
program budget, allocate resources and complete financial reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with evaluation team to monitor and track progress toward program
objectives and goals, completing reports on program trends, statistics, resource
requirements, and ongoing priority recommendations.
• Support Executive Director in identifying, mitigating, and managing program risks.

Personnel and Human Resources (15%)
• Provide direct managerial support to program staff, offering guidance and addressing staff-related needs and concerns as they arise.
• Collaborate with clinical supervision and management teams to oversee hiring,
onboarding, and therapeutic training for new program staff, ensuring they are well-equipped with the tools and training needed to thrive in their roles.
• Support the implementation of Avalon’s human resources policies and procedures in
alignment with the Collective Agreement.
• Work closely with Avalon leadership to develop and implement collective care practices
that mitigate the impacts of vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that prioritizes staff
well-being, retention, and sustainability.

Qualification Requirements
Current Registration from the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists or Nova Scotia
College of Social Work or equivalent.

Five (5) or more years of related experience managing and delivering community-based
programs and services, including:
• Demonstrated track record in past leadership roles, including experience managing diverse
staff teams, planning and reporting on project objectives and outcomes, budgeting and
financial reporting, and reviewing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Developing and implementing action plans that improve a program or organization’s
cultural responsiveness (i.e., cultural competency for health service delivery)
• Developing and implementing strategies for trauma-informed approaches to data
collection, management and reporting.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-oppressive and intersectional feminist practices
• Knowledge of the intersectional dimension of systemic inequalities, including but not
limited to racism, colonialism, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, transphobia,
classism/poverty, ableism, ageism, etc.
• Knowledge of the impacts of trauma work on staff, as well as best practices to mitigate
vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout
• Knowledge of trauma-informed therapeutic counselling, crisis support, and/or advocacy
in the areas of gender-based violence and sexualized violence.
• Strong background in stakeholder relations, including managing diverse teams and
groups towork effectively and cohesively toward a shared vision

Additional Competencies and Knowledge
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate in
a timely and transparent matter using the appropriate channels, tools, and techniques
• Strong collaboration, networking, and community engagement skills and/or experience
• Commitment to establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with others
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and creative in a changing work environment while
maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
• Proficiency with office technology and platforms including Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to be solution focused as part of a collaborative team creating a positive, ethical
environment in which team members can work safely and to their optimal potential.

Why Work for Avalon?

Avalon recognizes and values the complexity and skill required in providing support to historical
and acute traumas. As a proudly unionized and anti-oppressive workplace we are committed to
fostering an organizational culture that actively promotes healthy work-life balance and invests in
the support and growth of staff. This includes:
• 20 paid vacation days
• 15 paid wellness days
• Employer shared extended health benefits
• Employer paid professional development
• Optional RRSP matching opportunity

Working Conditions
• Hours: 35 hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30 pm OR 9:00am to 5:00pm, with
1-hour unpaid lunch break) with occasional evening work subject to approval
• Location: This position is open to candidates from any location within Nova Scotia, with
quarterly travel to Halifax required. **Note: Applicants applying outside of Nova Scotia
must be willing to relocate.
• Compensation scale: $85,000 - $95,000 per annum
• SEIU Local 2: Avalon is a unionized workplace. The successful candidate for this position
will be part of the management team and will not be a member of the bargaining unit.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter in one file to jobs@avaloncentre.ca
Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm Sunday, Jan 5, 2024