Degree in social work, psychology or a related field

Professional certification demonstrating experience relevant to women, young mothers, group facilitation – preferred

The ideal candidate will have previous experience facilitating group discussions – direct experience with new mothers is considered an asset.  You must be comfortable working with group dynamics, be competent in making observations and recognize when interactions, situations or group dynamics change, be assertive enough to maintain control of the group discussions, summarize information for clarity and for it to be easily understood.

Additional skills required include:

• Clear communication
• Active listening
• Asking questions
• Timekeeping
• Establishing a psychologically safe environment for sharing
• Creating focus
• Unbiased objectivity

The West Island Women’s Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of women.   As part of its ongoing programming to support women, the West Island Women’s Centre (WIWC) has been providing a support group for new mothers for the past 15 years, and we are now searching for a new group facilitator for this monthly program.

The ‘New Moms Support Group’ aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for women who are moving through a few challenges of being a new mother such as excitement, anxiety, isolation, change of routine, depression and potentially post-partum depression.  The goal of the support group is to allow women to listen to others and share their own experiences. 

Working with the Community Outreach Coordinator, the Group Facilitator will lead an in-person group of up to 14 women who have a child under 2 years old, in monthly group discussions regarding their needs and feelings as a new mother.  The women are invited to bring their children to the centre where childcare is provided; however, on occasion a woman may have to excuse herself to nurse her baby. 

The ideal candidate will provide a leadership role within the group, ensure a supportive and constructive atmosphere is maintained by group participants, establish ground rules which govern behaviour, resolve conflict should it arise between participants, create an environment to promote dialogue and remain neutral, provide feedback to WIWC as to progress, necessary changes, positive and negative observations, follow all guidelines and policies of WIWC, and inform WIWC staff of any issues which violate or jeopardize the group.  The group may meet via Zoom if public health recommendations require additional social distancing.

In this role, you will be required to encourage participation and provide focus and guidance for discussion within the group.  New members may join at various times throughout the program schedule and they should be welcomed by the facilitator through an initial phone call or email exchange.  Contacting new members to inform them of the operation of the group, services available and preparing appropriate topics of discussion with follow up on any questions, are considered part of the one (1) hour preparatory work the Group Facilitator will need to undertake.

WORK DAYS & HOURS: One day per month.  Each group session is 1.5 hours long.  A maximum of one (1) hour preparatory work is suggested prior to each group session.  Total monthly hours shall be no more than 2.5 hours.  The sessions run from September to June.