This is a bargaining unit position.
We advise all applicants with work permits that obtaining employment with Polycultural will not guarantee the approval of any application for Permanent Resident status and emphasize that Polycultural’s positions do not currently qualify under the government’s Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) initiatives.
About Polycultural
Be a part of Polycultural Immigrant and Community services! Founded in 1993, Polycultural is dedicated to hosting an open and inclusive environment for all. We are a multicultural melting-pot perfectly reflecting Canada’s diversity. We are like a family, have a culture filled with care and genuine connection with a very inclusive environment for all. With a diverse range of programs and services, we help individuals and families build a brighter future in Canada. Serving clients from over eight different locations across the GTA and Orangeville in more than 20 languages.
Scope of Position
RAP Centre is designed to provide immediate and essential services to Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) during the initial period after the refugee family arrives in Canada, with the focus of equipping GARs with accommodation and daily necessities, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as connections with the broader community to live safely and independently.
This position requires fluency in Arabic.
Logistics Facilitator
- Conducts housing searches in and around the GTA for clients.
- Secures appropriate and affordable housing for clients within a given timeframe.
- Provides support to clients in negotiating and finalizing housing leases.
- Recruits housing providers and maintains housing data of housing providers.
- Researches and develops a spreadsheet of housing providers, furniture vendors, and essential furniture that refugee families need.
- Analyzes clients’ choice of housing and furniture and makes recommendations within the assigned budget.
- Resolves purchase-related problems by working closely with clients, vendors, and delivery companies.
- Assists clients in selecting alternate choices and, if practical, advises clients on the appropriateness of various choices.
- Provides comprehensive information related to purchasing furniture.
- Arranges transportation of families to the furniture shops.
- If needed, escorts clients to housing appointments and advocates.
- Actively participates in professional development initiatives.
- Other program operational duties assigned.
Support Group Facilitator
- Delivers direct services in terms of group facilitation and support that address the needs of refugees through workshop sessions and conversation circles supporting language learning and other groups.
- Helps refugees to establish social and professional networks to be engaged and feel welcomed in the community.
- Fosters engagement between refugees and Canadians by involving newcomers in mentorship, community groups, recreation, and other activities.
- Provides comprehensive information on orientation to Canadian society.
- Creates opportunities for mentoring individually and in a group, multi-way interaction, and cross-cultural awareness.
- Delivers orientation sessions and presentations of workshops that address identified needs in the assigned target language.
- Conducts housing orientation sessions to ensure that the client understands the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
- Increases accessibility by delivering services at itinerant public and community spaces in collaboration with other service providers.
- Provides information and referral to external programs and services to meet the needs of each client/family.
- Conducts surveys to determine appropriate subject areas for workshop topics.
- Maintains and expands client base through outreach, community penetration, and itinerate functions, which include off-site visits and promoting community networks to link refugees.
- Effectively tracks activities and provides accurate reporting to Program Manager.
- Effectively tracks services in internal databases and provides accurate reporting for supervisor.
- Achieves targets set by the Program Coordinator.
Competencies
Adaptability
Changes behavioural style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
Communications
Using a variety of communication styles and strategies to foster open communication and the exchange of information and discussion on an ongoing basis.
Teamwork
Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
Accountability/Dependability
Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
Judgement
Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyze options and determines appropriate course of action.
Commitment to Diversity
Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.
Initiative
Does more than is required or expected in the job; does things that no one has requested that will improve or enhance services, avoids problems, and develops entrepreneurial opportunities. Plans ahead for upcoming problems or opportunities and takes appropriate action.
Service
Demonstrates strong commitment to meeting the needs of co-workers, managers, clients, or community members, striving to ensure their full satisfaction.
Qualifications
- A degree or diploma in Social Work, Counselling, or Education, and at least three years of experience working with immigrant communities or a combination of experience and education that fulfills the requirements.
- Registered Social Worker (RSW) is a definite asset.
- Fluency in Arabic is required.
- Knowledge of settlement and housing-related services and resources, with an emphasis on the services and resources that exist within the Greater Toronto Area.
- Experience working within the Housing Help Sector.
- Successful completion of Polycultural’s orientation training on interpretation.
- Knowledge of immigration and refugee services and the ethno-specific programs and services in the GTA.
- Familiarity with issues facing newcomers/refugees in Canadian urban settings and systemic barriers facing integration in Canadian life's education, social, cultural, and economic aspects.
- Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Valid G license is required, with access to a vehicle and a clean driving record.
- Ability to lift 30-40 kgs.
- Must be willing and able to work on flexible schedules as needed including evenings/weekends.
Other requirements
- A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check must be completed prior to commencing employment
Important Notice to Job Applicants
We strongly advise all applicants to apply for positions only through official and verified channels. Please ensure you are using legitimate links—either from our official website or trusted job platforms. Avoid third-party links or unsolicited messages, and never share personal or financial information outside of secure, authorized application portals.
Polycultural reserves the right to post internally and externally.
In support of persons with disabilities, Polycultural asks that job applicants with disabilities who require accommodation in the recruitment and selection process, to please advise Human Resources, if contacted for an interview/testing, so that suitable accommodation can be arranged. (In compliance with AODA, 2005, Integrated Accessibility Standards).
We thank everyone for their interest in Polycultural; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity.
No phone calls please.
Pay: $28.02 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Language:
Work Location: In person
