Manager, Victim/Witness Assistance Program

Join our team at the Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division and be at the forefront of change and support for those who need it most. We are looking for seasoned managers who can bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to our Victim/Witness Assistance Program. As people matter most to us, we believe in delivering on policies, programs and resources that will achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable Ontarians. We strive to deliver services for victims of crime in an integrated way, ensuring we collaborate seamlessly with justice partners and community stakeholders. Apply now and make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Ontarians.

As the Manager of VWAP, you will lead the Victim/ Witness Assistance Program through the provision of direct services to victims and witnesses of crime, participation on various community committees, training and public education activities, and to manage the activities of program staff.
We are currently seeking one manager to oversee the Victim Witness Assistance Program in the Western Region for offices in Brantford, Simcoe (Norfolk County), and Cayuga (Haldimand County).

Please note: This position is required to travel on a regular basis to manage three site offices and as needed to the regional office in Hamilton.

About us:

The Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division (VVPD) with the Ministry of the Attorney General supports, protects, and advocates on behalf of victims of crime and vulnerable children and adults. The Ontario Victim Services (OVS) is committed to treating victims of crime with dignity and respect. OVS endeavors to provide victims with access to a network of coordinated, victim-centered support services. OVS achieves this through several services, including the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP).
Leadership in the Ontario Public Service

A leadership career in the Ontario Public Service offers meaningful opportunities to lead impactful projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and shape policies, programs and services that positively influence the lives of millions of Ontarians, all within a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our leaders enjoy comprehensive benefit plans, a robust pension program, and challenging and rewarding work that will keep you motivated and fulfilled.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is an innovative, responsive and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership is a top priority for the OPS. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most under-represented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) on our leadership teams.

The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply. As an organization that promotes equity and diversity, the OPS encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities.

The OPS is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy, the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint, and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

What can I expect to do in this role?Create the Work Environment

In the Ontario Public Service, we hold our leaders to the highest standards, expecting them to embody authenticity, accountability, and courage in every action and decision. It will be your responsibility to create a work environment and team culture that ignites innovation, nurtures collaboration and champions inclusivity by creating a diverse, anti-racist and accessible workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. By aligning your choices with these values, you will create a vibrant work environment where every individual can thrive.

Deliver on Business Goals and Priorities

Your leadership will be crucial in guiding the team towards the achievement of their business goals. It will be your responsibility to inspire and motivate your team to deliver their best performance and align the team's daily actions with the strategic vision of the ministry. You will contribute to the achievement of team goals by:
• Plan and manage the delivery of the program by providing information to victims and witnesses of crime on the criminal justice system and referrals to appropriate community support services.
• Manage and/or provide leadership of highly complex or sensitive cases by providing direct assistance (e.g., outreach, crisis intervention, courtroom orientation/accompaniment, referral to community agencies, etc.) to victims and witnesses of crime.
• Participate in the development, delivery and monitoring of public education activities in the community and at workshops and conferences regarding victims' issues.
• Support a values-based and inclusive team through technical, administrative, and operational direction to staff.
• Assign and coordinate work, evaluate performance, identify staff training needs and escalate employee relations matters.
• Control and monitor allocated operation budget for the unit/program and regularly provide assurance reports on financial activities.
• Provide quality client service to stakeholders.

How do I qualify?Leadership and Management Skills• Mentor employees, monitor performance, address employee issues and promote an inclusive and engaged team.
• Participate in recruitment and identify staff development and training needs.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on service levels, performance and program effectiveness.
• Demonstrate commitment to innovation and service excellence and motivate staff through change.
• Provide leadership and expertise in the independent management of cases which are either highly complex or sensitive.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills• Identify and resolve a range of program delivery issues, which are often related to the volume of cases, high-profile cases, court processes, delays and other systemic issues.
• Manage complex and sensitive cases (e.g., families of homicide victims or traffic fatalities, domestic violence, criminal harassment, etc.) and determine the appropriate method of assistance (e.g., crisis intervention, needs assessment, courtroom orientation/accompaniment, etc.).
• Identify and analyze issues relating to the delivery of victim services in the assigned region, assess risk and identify high-profile or politically sensitive issues, and develop recommendations for mitigation.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills• Communicate complex information clearly and concisely to staff, stakeholders, and justice partners.
• Deliver public education activities as a guest speaker/educator at workshops, seminars, forums, etc., regarding victims' issues.
• Maintain stakeholder relationships and partnerships within the region.
• Participate as a member of various committees and task forces and represent the ministry/program at forums and public speaking events
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage relationships with justice partners, including Crowns, police, and the judiciary.

Technical Knowledge• The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of the Victim/ Witness Assistance Program, its goals and objectives, and related policies, procedures and processes.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resources practices, policies and collective agreements in relation to recruitment, training and development, and employee relations.
• Knowledge of financial and administrative procedures, to reconcile, and report on, allocated fiscal and material resources and annual budgets.
• Knowledge of project management principles and methodologies to meet the operational program deliverables.

Additional Information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, November 22, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario sont affichées en anglais et en français. Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la « langue du poste » figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d'emploi. Pour tous les postes, l'évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.

Note: The only website where you can apply on-line for positions with the Ontario Public Service is http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca

Apply Online