Position: Project Lead (Transitioning to Shelter Manager)
Reports to: Executive Director
Hours of Work: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; On-Site Position. Occasional evenings and weekends required. OnCall Rotation.
In partnership with our diverse community, Bethesda House provides inclusive, secure emergency shelter, outreach services, survivor-centered advocacy, prevention, education, and other supports to women and their children, empowering them to overcome the fear and oppression resulting from all forms of gender-based violence and abuse.
Position Overview
Bethesda House is expanding its services to include a new site to offer emergency shelter beds for children and youth who have experienced human trafficking. The Project Lead will oversee the planning, launch, and stabilization of this new initiative in collaboration with partner organizations.
The Project Lead role is designed as a time-limited project leadership position that will transition into the permanent role of Shelter Manager once the program is fully operational. The Project Lead will be responsible for program development, partnership coordination, policy and procedure development, staff onboarding, and ensuring trauma-informed, survivor-centered care throughout all phases of implementation.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development & Implementation
- Lead the planning, development, and launch of emergency shelter beds for children and youth who have experienced human trafficking
- Coordinate all start-up activities, including timelines, deliverables, and readiness milestones
- Develop program policies, procedures, and protocols aligned with trauma-informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive practices. This will include policies to align with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, licensing requirements, and organizational standards
- Support the development of intake, risk assessment, safety planning, and case coordination processes
Partnership & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Serve as the primary liaison between Bethesda House and partner organizations
- Facilitate regular partner meetings to ensure alignment, shared accountability, and effective communication
- Coordinate with child protection services, law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and community agencies as required
- Represent Bethesda House in community and sector tables related to human trafficking and child/youth services
Staff Leadership & Capacity Building
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of shelter staff and relief staff
- Provide day-to-day guidance and leadership during the implementation phase
- Model trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and inclusive practice in all aspects of leadership
- Contribute to staff training related to human trafficking, child and youth care, and gender-based violence
Survivor-Centered Practice & Program Quality
- Ensure services prioritize safety, dignity, choice, and empowerment for children and youth
- Support the integration of prevention, education, and advocacy approaches within the shelter program
- Monitor service delivery to ensure ethical, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate care
- Participate in continuous quality improvement and program evaluation processes
Transition to Shelter Manager Role
Upon successful implementation and stabilization of the program, this position will transition into Shelter Manager, assuming responsibility for:
- Ongoing program operations and supervision
- Staff scheduling, performance support, and professional development
- Budget oversight and resource management, in partnership with the Executive Director
- Program evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement
- Long-term partnership stewardship and community engagement
- Collaborate with leadership on funding opportunities, grant proposals, and program sustainability
- Support the planning of Bethesda House community events, fundraising events, and other initiatives
- Provide On Call support
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Post-secondary education in Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Psychology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in shelter services, child/youth programs, gender-based violence, or anti-human trafficking work
- Minimum 3 years of supervisor or team leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience in project leadership, program development, or program implementation
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and anti-oppressive practice
- Experience working collaboratively with community partners and multidisciplinary teams
Preferred:
- Experience supporting children and youth who have experienced trafficking or sexual exploitation
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, child protection systems, and shelter licensing requirements
- Experience in non-profit or community-based service delivery
Skills & Competencies
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Ability to lead with empathy, accountability, and clarity
- Sound judgment in high-risk and crisis situations
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Working Conditions
- Ability to work flexible hours as required during program launch
- Rotating 24/7 On Call Component
- Exposure to secondary trauma; organizational supports and supervision provided
- Ability to travel within Durham Region for community events, trainings, and outreach.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $72,000 - $82,000
- Benefits may include: health/dental/vision insurance, paid leave, professional development, flexible scheduling, etc.
Commitment to Equity
Bethesda House is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with lived experience related to gender-based violence or human trafficking.
