Community Liaison Specialist - Project with Refugee 613

Location: Waterloo Region

Work Hours: 37.5

Employment Type: Full Time, Contract

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: November 2026

Contract End Date: March 31, 2027

Deadline to Apply: November 20, 2026

Guaranteed Annual Salary: $55,000

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Total Rewards Package:

We believe that everyone has the potential to shine! Our culture is built around connection, celebration, appreciation, and recognition, and it starts with a total rewards package focused on Well-Being.

Time Away from Work

At the YMCA of Three Rivers, we value work-life harmony. Part-time team members start with:

• Vacation earnings of 4% on each pay (Increases to 6% after 5 years of continuous employment)

• 3 well-being days for sick time or proactive self-care, which can be used as they are earned. Bereavement days are also available.

Well-Being Benefits

• A free YMCA membership for you and your family, providing access to our fitness centers
• Discounts on YMCA programs and services
• Access to an Employee (and Family) Assistance Program offering free and confidential counseling, resources, and services

Role Overview:

Who are we…

The YMCA of Three Rivers is a charitable organization proudly serving the communities of Guelph-Wellington, Stratford-Perth, and Waterloo Region. We aspire to build connected and resilient communities. Our mission is to make our diverse communities healthier and more vibrant. With dignity and respect, our programs and services inspire individuals to reach their full potential. Learn more about our history, mission, vision, and values here.

We strive to be a great place to work so that all employees can live with purpose, passion, and potential to Shine On! This is where you come in.

The Community Liaison Specialist plays a key role in a pilot project aimed at increasing awareness of and access to IRCC-funded settlement services among privately sponsored refugees (PSRs), sponsors, and refugee-serving communities. Working collaboratively with a partner organization leading the pilot, the Specialist will build relationships across diverse community stakeholders to strengthen coordination between sponsorship groups and settlement service providers.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted bridge between privately sponsored refugees, sponsoring groups, community leaders, service providers, and other stakeholders. Through outreach, education, community engagement, and partnership development, the Community Liaison Specialist will help ensure refugees and sponsors are aware of available supports and can effectively access services that complement sponsorship responsibilities and enhance newcomer settlement outcomes.

The ideal candidate is relationship-focused, culturally responsive, politically neutral, and comfortable working with diverse perspectives and community dynamics.

What will you do…

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Build and maintain positive relationships with privately sponsored refugees, sponsorship agreement holders (SAHs), constituent groups, community sponsors, settlement service providers, and community leaders.
• Conduct outreach activities to increase awareness of IRCC-funded settlement services available to privately sponsored refugees and sponsoring groups.
• Act as a trusted community resource and point of contact for information related to settlement services and community supports.
• Attend community events, meetings, workshops, and cultural gatherings to promote the project and build community connections.
• Foster collaborationbetween refugee-serving organizations, sponsorship groups, and community stakeholders.

Partnership Development and Coordination

• Work closely with the partner organization leading the pilot project to support implementation, information sharing, and achievement of project outcomes.
• Strengthen referral pathways between sponsoring groups and settlement service providers.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among sponsors, community leaders, settlement organizations, and refugee communities.
• Identify service gaps, barriers, and opportunities to improve access to support for privately sponsored refugees.
• Support joint initiatives and community engagement activities with project partners.

Client and Sponsor Support

• Provide information and orientation regarding settlement, integration, and community resources.
• Conduct needs assessments with refugees, sponsors, and community stakeholders to identify priorities, challenges, and support needs.
• Connect clients and sponsors with appropriate YMCA, community, and government services.
• Support sponsors and refugees in understanding how settlement services complement sponsorship responsibilities.
• Assist in navigating challenges, misunderstandings, or differing perspectives while maintaining a neutral and community-centered approach.

Program Delivery and Administration

• Maintain accurate records, case notes, contact databases, referrals, and outreach activities.
• Collect data and monitor project outcomes, participant engagement, and service utilization.
• Prepare statistical and narrative reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support evaluation activities, feedback collection, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure confidentiality and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the successful implementation and day-to-day operations of the pilot project.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What will you bring…

• Postsecondary education in Social Services, Community Development, Settlement Services, Social Sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in community outreach, stakeholder engagement, settlement services, refugee support, community development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication, facilitation, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong administrative skills, including record-keeping, reporting, and data management.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and other digital communication tools.

Preferred Assets

• Knowledge of refugee resettlement and private sponsorship programs in Canada.
• Experience working with privately sponsored refugees, sponsorship groups, newcomer-serving organizations, or community-based initiatives.
• Understanding of the local Eritrean community and its cultural, social, and community dynamics.
• Fluency in English and at least one Eritrean language (such as Tigrinya, Tigre, or Arabic).
• Experience facilitating partnerships among community organizations and diverse stakeholder groups.

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This role requires regular travel across the region, which may not always be easily accessible through public transit. The employee must be able to arrange their transportation to these sites. A valid G driver’s license and full-time vehicle access are strongly recommended.

Additional Information:

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Youth

In keeping with our commitment to child and youth safeguarding, job offers are contingent on completing a current Vulnerable Sector Check and employment reference checks. Vulnerable Sector Checks are reviewed individually, and the offense(s) - if any - are considered in the decision-making process, in relation to the requirement of working with children, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position. Vulnerable Sector Checks must be renewed every three years.

Our Commitment to JAIDE (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity)

We embrace the values of justice, access, inclusion, diversity, and equity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes applications from all qualified persons. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected group. We are committed to creating an environment where we eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups.

Studies have shown that women and people of equity-deserving backgrounds are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification in the posting. We understand that knowledge and experience can be gained in many ways, so we strongly encourage applications even if you don’t believe you meet all the requirements outlined.

Per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation need known to the YMCA of Three Rivers.

Our Commitment to Privacy

The YMCA of Three Rivers complies with the Employment Standards Act, Pay Equity Legislation, and privacy laws. We are committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information-handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. Please visit our website for more information on the YMCA of Three Rivers’ commitment to privacy.

Please note that due to the large volume of applications received, only candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.

To explore additional career opportunities with the YMCA of Three Rivers, please visit our Career Page.