Advocacy Representative

Job content

Purpose

The Advocacy Representative position is responsible to provide direct advocacy support to children, youth and their families respecting reviewable services delivered by public bodies and community organizations; provide a lead role in the resolution of complex and sensitive issues through a child rights based non-adversarial approach; provide timely and child-centered advocacy interventions in compliance with the mandated responsibilities of the PEI Child and Youth Advocate Act; provide information and public education on the role and function of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate; provide facilitation support for child and youth engagement on the Child and Youth Advisory Committee to the PEI Office of the Child and Youth Advocate; and, provide support to the work of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate.

Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

About the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (PEI)

The Child and Youth Advocate is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly pursuant to the PEI Child and Youth Actwith a mandate to promote and protect the rights of children and youth; and to provide oversight of government-funded programs and services to children, youth and their families. Employees of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate assist the Child and Youth Advocate in carrying out functions under the PEI Child and Youth Advocate Actto include: individual and systemic advocacy, individual and systemic reviews and investigations; child and youth engagement, public education and promotion of children’s rights, child and youth serious injury and death reviews and investigations, research and reports.

Reporting to: Deputy Child and Youth Advocate

Responsibilities

The Advocacy Representative is responsible to:

• Provide a direct role in advocacy support to children, youth and their families respecting reviewable services to include providing information and advice; representing the rights interests and viewpoints of children and youth receiving or eligible to receive reviewable services and assist children and youth to initiate and participate in case conferences, service reviews, mediations or other processes in which decisions are made about the provision of reviewable services;
• Receive, assess and prioritize individual advocacy requests;
• Identify appropriate referrals for matters outside the jurisdiction of the Child and Youth Advocate;
• Encourage, model and coach self-advocacy in seeking resolution to issues;
• Gather relevant information, identify and assess presenting issues, provide information on children’s rights, and develop a range of problem-solving options for the child or youth’s consideration;
• Prepare factual, concise, comprehensive case documentation and enter in electronic case management system;
• Prepare case summary reports to include detailed reviews, analysis and synthesis of facts, circumstances and actions taken;
• Coordinate case conferences with or for the child or youth with multiple service providers and relevant participants;
• Identify non-adversarial approaches to encourage dispute resolution through the use of negotiation, mediation and conciliation;
• Participate in complex advocacy matters through a child rights lens and apply principles of administrative fairness, due diligence, critical thinking, and evidence-informed inquiry;
• Promote and provide public education and advocacy respecting the rights, interests and well-being of children and youth, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as it affects children and youth;
• Participate, as required, in inter-jurisdictional initiatives and liaise with other appropriate authorities;
• Work respectfully and efficiently, both independently and collaboratively, within a child rights-based team environment; and
• Such other duties as required.

Note:

This job description reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the PEI Child and Youth Advocate Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is required;
• Knowledge of current trends and issues with respect to reviewable services and children’s rights;
• Knowledge of child welfare practices, emerging trends, progressive legislation, policy and practice developments provincially, nationally and internationally;
• Knowledge of a child rights advocacy process and principles. Prior work or experience in delivering advocacy services to individuals or on behalf of others would be an asset;
• Exceptional negotiating, problem-solving, dispute resolution and mediation skills in resolving issues;
• Superior ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, particularly with children and youth and their families;
• Knowledge of legislation, programs and policies of public bodies and community organizations providing reviewable services to PEI children, youth and their families;
• Ability to effectively and respectfully engage children and youth through a child rights empowerment lens;
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with a wide range of public bodies and community organizations;
• Ability to exercise independent judgement with limited direction;
• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize a complex and sensitive workload within an environment of competing demands;
• Ability to deliver timely and appropriate advocacy supports to children and youth respectfully and sensitively, both independently and collaboratively, within a child rights-based team environment;
• Ability to contribute to the establishment and maintenance of an office culture of excellence and to promote ethical and responsible behaviour by action and example;
• Familiarity with the principles of administrative fairness;
• Must be nimble and flexible in constantly prioritizing workload; and
• Excellent critical thinking, writing and public speaking skills.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or graduate degree in social sciences or a related discipline (e.g. Social Work, Education, Health Sciences, Psychology, Law, or Criminology) from a recognized university, or a relevant undergraduate diploma combined with extensive professional development and experience in working directly with children and youth;
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a service field that provides direct services to children and youth; and
• Experience in interviewing children, youth, family members and service providers.

Conditions of Employment

• Legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Possess a valid driver’s license, have access to a vehicle and be willing to travel throughout Prince Edward Island, as required;
• Willing to work on a flexible work schedule, including working outside of standard office hours, as required; and
• Provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, a Child Protection Record Check, a Vulnerable Sector Check and Reference Checks.

Join Us

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is fully committed to creating an inclusive environment and building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, disability, citizenship status, marital status, actual or perceived sexual orientation. We thank all applicants for their interest but wish to advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-Time / Permanent
• Level 20 ($71,838, - $89,798)
• Commensurate with education and related experience.
• Health Benefits and other discretionary benefits.

Application Closing Date:

Friday, January 13, 2023 at 4:30 pm (ADT). Please apply online only.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $71,838.00-$89,798.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location