Peer Support Coordinator

The Jean Tweed Centre is seeking a compassionate and skilled Peer Support Coordinator to join our team supporting women with mental health and substance use concerns, including those navigating complex issues such as trauma, concurrent disorders, and experiences of marginalization.

This new position plays a vital role in strengthening our peer-led programming and enhancing client engagement across our continuum of care. The Peer Support Coordinator will bring personal lived experience of mental health and/or addiction, using their unique perspective to inspire hope, promote wellness, and empower women in their recovery journey.

Working collaboratively with clinical and community partners, the Peer Support Coordinator will help bridge the gap between service users and service providers, foster a safe and inclusive environment, and ensure our supports reflect the voices and needs of the women we serve.

This is a 1-year Full-time Contract role

Duties & Responsibilities

Peer Support & Engagement

• Provide leadership and supervision to peer support workers using a non-judgmental, inclusive, and trauma-informed approach
• Support peer support workers in maintaining meaningful and supported employment opportunities
• Offer 1:1 support and supervision to 6-8 peer leaders.
• Support coordination of financial processes (e.g., honoraria, petty cash) and report to the Manager as required
• Support peer support workers in preventing and responding to conflict, crises, and facilitating debriefs
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of program data and reporting

Collaboration & Care Coordination

• Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to support integrated service planning.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community and system partners
• Participate in team meetings, case discussions, and clinical care planning as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to develop, implement, and maintain administrative and evaluation tools
• Participate in project coordination and community partner meetings as directed
• Act as a liaison between peer workers and staff to elevate service-user voice and ensure client-centred supports.

Advocacy, Education & Program Development

• Serve as a role model to peer support workers, demonstrating recovery, resilience, and self-advocacy.
• Provide education and consultation to staff, students, and partners on peer support, lived experience, and recovery-oriented practice.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, research, and evaluation activities related to peer-led programming.
• Assist in the development and delivery of peer-informed activities, groups, and wellness initiatives.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build connections with community partners supporting women with mental health and substance use concerns.
• Engage service users and families in feedback processes to ensure programming reflects their needs and experiences.
• Represent the peer support program at relevant community meetings or events where appropriate.

Requirements

Required

• Personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges.
• Strong understanding of issues impacting women with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, trauma, and social marginalization.
• Experience working with or supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those facing housing insecurity, poverty, violence, or systemic barriers.
• Demonstrated ability to form supportive, empowering, and respectful relationships.
• Experience facilitating peer support groups or recovery-oriented programming.
• Strong communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Understanding of the social determinants of health and their impact on women.
• Commitment to harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented principles.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.

Preferred

• Peer Support Worker/PSS certification or completion of a recognized peer support training program.
• Training in WRAP, Hearing Voices, LifeRing, SMART Recovery, or similar wellness-focused programming (or willingness to obtain).
• Previous peer support experience in a community mental health or addictions setting.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Organizational

• Conduct job responsibilities with a commitment to harm reduction, trauma- informed, women-centred and anti-oppressive practices.
• Abide by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and work in a manner that is safe, reporting incidents immediately to direct supervisor.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of The Jean Tweed Centre.
• Perform other duties as assigned in order to meet the overall goals and objectives of The Jean Tweed Centre.
• Maintain a client service orientation including learning about and addressing client needs and concerns.
• Work collaboratively including respect others, sharing information, consulting and celebrating shared successes.
• Demonstrate accountability by holding self responsible and following through on commitments.
• Support inclusion and equity by respecting others, embracing diversity and addressing oppression.
• Commit to continuous learning through professional development, giving and receiving constructive feedback and applying new skills.