Gender Based Violence Navigation Advocate

Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre

Posted 9 days ago

278 Bay Street, Suite 201Thunder Bay, OntarioP7B1R8

This position is a 12 month contract, 35 hours per week at $31.80 per hour.  

Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre seeks to hire a Gender Based Violence Navigator to support self identified women who are experiencing violence.  The GBV Navigator ‘s role includes the coordination of our cross sectoral High Risk Protocol for women who face imminent harm from intimate partners. This community-based advocate will work with women, in collaboration with legal and social sectors to ensure they have appropriate support, referrals, and ongoing, cross sectoral risk assessment and effective safety planning that is trauma informed, considers sociocultural factors and is culturally safe.  Our approach is intended to be healing-centred and empower women to be active partners in critical decision making. Part of this work includes a partnership with Barbra Schlifer Commemorative (Legal) Clinic to pilot their new risk assessment tool (RISA).

Full Time

Social and community service workers

1

$31.80 per hour

35

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

2/1/2026

2/9/2026

·        Receive referrals of women experiencing or at risk of gender based violence and provide a coordinating/ case management role to connect them to appropriate support and resources.

·        Ensure that women are receiving appropriate safety planning and risk assessment and are kept informed of all measures taken on their behalf.

·        Build/ maintain working relationships with relevant staff and decision makers across sectors.

·        Using the High Risk Navigation Protocol, coordinate meetings of staff from relevant legal and social service sectors in situations of high risk.  Ensure all parties have the required and up-to -date information on each case, including risk assessment and safety plans.

·        Provide a liaison role between participants across sectors.

·        Manage information and record keeping system as required.

·        Provide occasional public education sessions or workshops on response to / prevention of GBV.

·        Educational background and work experience in legal advocacy, social work or social justice

·        Strong understanding of the legal system (criminal and family law) and the systemic response to gender-based violence in Thunder Bay and District. Previous experience supporting women in the social service or legal system is preferred, especially with regard to safety planning and risk assessment.

·        Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed responses.

·        Demonstrated analysis of gender-based violence and anti-racist, anti-oppressive principles.

·        Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of colonialism and the intersections with the systemic response to violence against Indigenous women.

·        Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, in addition to demonstrated organizational abilities. 

·        This position requires a high level of confidentiality and the ability to respond efficiently in crisis situations.

Position includes health benefits on a co-pay basis and paid holidays.  High possibility of extension if funding is secured.

Please email resume and cover letter (applications without a dedicated cover letter will not be considered) by February 1st to:  Hiring Committee, Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre at ed@nwowc.org.