Job purpose
Reporting to the Senior Manager and working closely with the HWS Women and Family Services Team, the Gender Based Violence (GBV) Counsellor is accountable for providing therapeutic counselling and support for women who have experienced GBV.
Using a gender-based analysis (GBA+) and trauma and violence informed approaches, the GBV Counsellor supports women through the provision of therapeutic and clinical counselling, education and advocacy, helping them to process and move forward from experiences of GBV.

In a manner consistent with the agency’s policies and values and aligned with the agency’s vision and purposes, the GBV Counsellor performs a wide range of duties including the following:

• Using a GBA+, and trauma and violence informed approaches, the GBV Counsellor will develop and maintain therapeutic relationships, provide information, risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy, and therapeutic counselling and support for clients impacted by GBV including intimate partner violence and sexual violence.
• Develop programs and groups for women who have experienced violence and abuse within the community and our residential programs (Emergency Shelter and Second Stage Programming) centred on healing, self discovery, empowerment, learning and personal growth.
• Act as a leader within the team specializing in therapeutic support for women impacted by GBV, and as an advocate for women within the community and partner agencies providing education on GBV and promoting healing from a GBA+ and trauma and violence informed way.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrates a strong feminist, GBA+, and trauma and violence informed analysis, approach, and practice.
• Demonstrates leadership skills
• Excellent conflict resolution skills; ability to facilitate courageous conversations.
• Demonstrates advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning, and case planning skills, and effective child/women-centered practice delivery.
• Outstanding communications, listening and assessment skills.
• Proficiency in use of computer office technology and applications.
• Valid driver’s license; access to a reliable vehicle and proof of adequate insurance; willingness to facilitate transportation to appointments/shelter transfer, etc. as deemed necessary/appropriate to care.
• Clean driver’s abstract; Clear current Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• CPR, First Aid (ASIST, CPI an asset).
• Demonstrates strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team with minimal supervision.

Qualifications:
Undergraduate degree in Social Work or Counselling degree, preference given to Masters level education. Registration with appropriate Ontario college.
Fluency in other languages an asset.
Minimum 2 years experience including counselling experience, with 1 year experience specific to gender-based violence.
If this opportunity looks like a good fit for you, we would love to hear from you!

• Using a GBA+, and trauma and violence informed approaches, the GBV Counsellor will develop and maintain therapeutic relationships, provide information, risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy, and therapeutic counselling and support for clients impacted by GBV including intimate partner violence and sexual violence.
• Develop programs and groups for women who have experienced violence and abuse within the community and our residential programs (Emergency Shelter and Second Stage Programming) centred on healing, self discovery, empowerment, learning and personal growth.
• Act as a leader within the team specializing in therapeutic support for women impacted by GBV, and as an advocate for women within the community and partner agencies providing education on GBV and promoting healing from a GBA+ and trauma and violence informed way