Community Partnership Coordinator

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Kickstand’s mission is to transform the way that young people (12-25yo) in Alberta access services and to ensure that young people and their families/caregivers are being provided with evidence-based and trauma-informed health, mental health, and social services. Kickstand is founded on an integrated youth services model, which seeks to bring together a range of primary care, mental health, substance use and social services, all under one roof. Our work is predicated on intentional partnerships with the philanthropic community, research institutions and community-based, youth-serving organizations across Alberta. We hope to transform access to care by aligning existing youth services in such a way that young people and their families/caregivers can experience every door as the right door, as they navigate Alberta’s health system.

Kickstand is for young people, but we know that many young people have family members and caregivers who want to help them every step of the way. In other words, engaging and working alongside families/caregivers is a core pillar of the organization. 

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Community Engagement and Partnership Lead, the Community Partnerships Coordinator functions as part of a team working to lead the implementation of a provincial integrated youth services initiative. Kickstand’s Provincial Implementation Team is tasked with the successful exploration, development, implementation, and evaluation of a network of Kickstand centres. This work relies heavily on intentional partnerships and the collective impact that is required to transform access to care for young people and their families/caregivers. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with community partners and stakeholders to create a shared vision, facilitate co-location and integration of care options, and enhance understanding and adoption of the integrated youth services model of care.

The Community Partnerships Coordinator works collaboratively as part of Kickstand’s Provincial Team to achieve these goals and deliverables. This role requires a thorough understanding the unique local community contexts and needs, building and valuing partnerships and effective relationships, and supporting physical and virtual centres to facilitate meaningful feedback and engagement with youth and families/caregivers. The Community Partnerships Coordinator is passionate about building community capacity, meaningful youth and family engagement, and helping to build partnerships. They are interested in supporting systems transformation and improving health outcomes for young people and their families/caregivers.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Advance the understanding of community development practice by identifying opportunities to partner with local & provincial nonprofits and academic institutions
• Develop and implement a mentorship/allyship program for community and provincial partners that builds and strengthens the skills necessary for success
• Convene and facilitate stakeholder meetings and community of practice meetings in such a way that recognizes multiple perspectives and stewards relationship-building and consensus
• Support the development of virtual (Kickstand Connect) and community-based Kickstand centres through community development activities
• Steward partner relationships in a way that promotes collaboration, collective impact, and on-going learning
• Use practical tools and processes to facilitate the interest and commitment of stakeholders that results in collaboration and integration of existing providers and partners, young people, families/caregivers, and the wider community
• Participate in the development of partnership-related project plans leading up to successful physical Kickstand centre openings
• Track progress against the project plan for the development of virtual and physical centres, monitor and report on the status, and report major issues or obstacles encountered
• Facilitate consensus and guide groups to useful outcomes through the effective use of time, space and methods to plan and carry out group processes
• Contribute to the implementation of effective processes to ensure success and to assess risks, identify risk mitigation strategies, and monitor risk throughout the life cycle of the program plan
• Work in collaboration with the Kickstand Provincial Implementation Team and stakeholders to implement evaluation of the integrated youth services initiative
• Participate in appropriate professional development activities as appropriate
• Embrace Kickstand’s values and approach to wellness i.e., collaborative, trustworthy, respectful, dynamic, responsive and approachable
• Model a positive professional attitude, acting with integrity and modelling neutrality and cultural humility, create and sustain a participatory environment ensuring inclusiveness and creativity, with good communication and managing conflict

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a discipline related to Health Care, Non-Profit Management, Community Development, Policy, or Leadership and at least tow (2) years of experience in the non-profit sector including experience working with multi-stakeholder processes, developing partnerships and governance structures, and creating and delivering knowledge exchange training content, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience working with Indigenous-led organizations, Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous people, experience delivering client-centred care, or experience working with or in an integrated youth services initiative would be considered strong assets.
• Valid Alberta Driver’s License required. Access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of systems and processes related to community development, governance models, distributed leadership, government and nonprofit partnerships, communications, and non-profits
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, policies, programs, and services including within Alberta healthcare and social service systems
• Exceptional group facilitation and communication skills including demonstrated professionalism, tact, good judgment, and diplomacy in interactions with senior leaders, both internally and within the community
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, management, and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated ability to think analytically and promote change
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly understand local organizational and partnership culture
• Diplomatic negotiation and problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Comfortable communicating formally, informally, in groups and one-on-one
• Ability to obtain and share information, ideas, and problems and ask for advice, support, and feedback
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Relationship-centered with a get-it-done attitude and working hands-on when required
• Able to define expectations for self and others and the act to fulfill these expectations (self-reflect, monitor, and correct own actions)
• Self-motivated and flexible, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment of frequent change and ambiguous landscape
• Proven commitment to promoting and supporting a psychologically safe workplace
• Excellent computer skills required (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• Ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis to communities throughout Alberta

Additional Information about the Role

• Compensation will depend on experience and fit for the position. ($68,000-$73,000 annual salary plus benefits)
• This is a hybrid position with some required in-person meetings and flexibility to work from home.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change when required.