University of British Columbia, Development & Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Peer-Led English Conversation Program Job Vacancy in Canada

BACKGROUND:

The UBC Learning
Exchange is one of the key components of Place and Promise, UBC’s strategic
plan for the future. The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities
to people in the Downtown Eastside and other inner-city communities, to develop
UBC students’ understanding of society through first-hand learning in the
community, and to offer UBC’s resources and expertise to inner-city communities
in Vancouver.

The Learning
Exchange is a Canadian leader in the fields of community-university engagement
and a signature program for the portfolio of VP Communications and Community
Partnership.

The UBC Learning
Exchange’s Peer-Led English Conversation Program offers free small-group
English
conversation sessions to low-income immigrants, citizens and refugees.
The conversation sessions are facilitated by residents of the Downtown
Eastside, UBC students, and advanced-level English learners, who receive
training and support to enable them to share their language skills and
knowledge about Vancouver. The program’s over 500 learners are primarily retired
seniors or job-seeking newcomers. Over a year, session facilitators can number
approximately 80 local volunteers and 10 UBC students.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Coordinator,
Peer-Led English Conversation Program is responsible for the coordination of
program activities. These include the coordination of program delivery
development; partnership development; volunteer recruitment, orientation,
screening and ongoing support; development and delivery of training workshops
for volunteers; recruitment and support of language learners; delivery of
English conversation sessions; supervision of a Coop student and student
volunteers; and program evaluation.

WORK
PERFORMED:

Implements
new developments in overall program delivery, helping ensure changes are
implemented with careful attention to process and ongoing program
viability.
Integrates
English conversation programming into the range of Learning Exchange
programming as appropriate.
Coordinates
the intake of new English learners, including estimating conversational
ability and registering learners in appropriate sessions
Coordinates
the intake and orientation of facilitators, including hosting information
sessions, reviewing roles and responsibilities, and conducting individual
interviews.
Develops,
evaluates and delivers the volunteer training program.
Arranges
student community-engaged learning placements in the English conversation
program.
Coordinates
the recruitment of learners, including designing and producing promotional
materials, liaising with community organizations, and maintaining
administrative systems to facilitate recruitment.
Supervises
program assistant-level staff and volunteers.
Develops
an annual program schedule and ensures that there are no conflicts with
other Learning Exchange programs.
Communicates
with external stakeholders including immigrants and refugee service
providers, pre-employment agencies, community centres and other
educational centres.
Conducts
program evaluation to improve program delivery; provides statistical
reports and participant success stories.
Identifies
and provides suggestions regarding potential program improvements.
Updates,
monitors, and tracks small program budget.
Coordinates
daily program activities, such as organizing English conversation rooms,
assembling lesson materials, responding to inquiries and providing support
for English learners and facilitators.
Plans
and manages special recognition events such as end-of-term celebrations
for volunteer facilitators.
Provides
regular program updates to the Learning Exchange staff team; participate
in Learning Exchange work planning cycles.
Other
related responsibilities as required.

EDUCATION /
WORK EXPERIENCE:

Undergraduate
degree in a relevant discipline.
Experience
in adult education, or cross-cultural communications/education training,
required. Minimum of two years experience or the equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Two
years of related experience.
Experience
engaging and empowering community program participants to inform program
design and delivery.
Program
planning and coordination experience and skills, including setting of
goals and priorities.
Experience
planning and facilitating workshops.
Experience
working with new immigrants and refugees preferred.
Experience
working with volunteers from marginalized populations preferred.
Experience
in community development preferred.
Experience
in cross-cultural adult education and language learning preferred.
Experience
in resources and issues in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver preferred.

SKILLS:

Knowledge
of community development principles.
Excellent
communication skills, both verbal and written.
Excellent
interpersonal skills.
Ability
to lead others and to function as an effective team member.
Commitment
to the goals of UBC’s Place and Promise.
Demonstrated
ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders in
cross-cultural settings.
Knowledge
of and sensitivity to inner-city issues.
Ability
to maintain connection between a long-range vision and day-to-day
functions.
Ability
to manage a demanding workload by determining priorities, planning ahead
and anticipating problems.
Knowledge
of cross-cultural adult education principles.
Knowledge
of and sensitivity to the University community.
Ability
to meet deadlines.
Excellent
problem-solving skills.
Both
goal and process-oriented.
Excellent
organizational skills.
Proficiency
in Microsoft Office Software, including demonstrated ability to use
advanced features of Excel.