ACCM offers by and for programming, and therefore encourages people living with HIV or hepatitis C to apply for this position, as well as people who are queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, people of colour and/or living with a disability to represent our many communities and ensure diverse perspectives and practices.
Who we are: AIDS Community Care Montreal (ACCM) is the only English-speaking community organization that offers prevention and support services to people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C in Quebec. We work in collaboration with our many communities to build a compassionate and caring response to HIV and hepatitis C and do education work that equips people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions around their sexual health.
What we need: We are looking for a Chemsex Support and Outreach Coordinator for cis or trans gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) to join our team! In a brand-new collaboration with RÉZO, this project aims to directly meet the needs related to the chemsex communities, using a harm reduction approach. Our ultimate goal is to equip cis and trans gbMSM with the knowledge, tools, and materials to proactively manage their drug use, reduce the risk of STBBI transmission, prevent overdoses, and establish an informed community that can better manage and prevent the undesirable consequences related to consumption, before it becomes a serious issue in their lives.
The Chemsex Support and Outreach Coordinator will:
Consult with project participants and the team to develop a by-and-for programming for cis and trans gbMSM. The Coordinator, ideally a member of the community served by this project, will ensure that each decision is collaborative and peer-led, with the primary goal of meeting the needs of people who participate in chemsex or who use drugs in sexualized contexts.
Outreach to the cis and trans gbMSM communities that engage in chemsex (whether regularly or occasionally), to promote the various services offered by the project and create meaningful relationships that will encourage folks to participate.
Co-develop and Co-facilitate a workshop series and discussion groups (evening drop-in) with the team and project participants.
Provide one-on-one support counselling to project participants and continue to follow up with them throughout and after the workshop series to support them in their journey in a non-judgmental environment (including topics like drug use, HIV and other STBBI prevention, sexual health, mental health, etc.).
Participate in the development of a peer-developed overdose prevention campaign to respond to the needs expressed within the project.
Distribute safer drug and safer sex materials during workshops, individual and group sessions, and at the drop-in.
Our ideal candidate has all or a combination of the following:
Language. ACCM is an organization that provides services to the Montreal English-speaking community, but it will be important to be able to provide services and run activities in English and French. In addition, we would like to create connections with the Hispanic chemsex gbMSM community: speaking Spanish is an asset.
Lived experience. Chemsex-related experience is an important asset in a peer-led, by and for project. We believe that intervention methods can be learned through training, but we will prioritise candidates with lived experience as it plays an important factor in understanding and working with chemsex communities.
Autonomous and team player. Teamwork and being present for the participants and other members of the organization is important. We are looking for someone proactive, who takes initiative and is able to work autonomously.
Connected. The ability to mobilize one’s community as well as develop new connections and partnerships is very important for this project, as are interpersonal skills and the ease of adjusting to the various obstacles encountered.
Knowledge. Knowledge related to drug use, sexual health, including fundamental knowledge of HIV, hepatitis C, STBBIs, Montreal’s queer and trans communities, and the social drivers of health are an asset.
Vision and practice. Has a fervent belief in harm reduction, and a proven history of practicing harm reduction-based interventions.
Values. You believe in ACCM’s mission and values, our program approaches, and will act as an ambassador for ACCM and RÉZO with our partners and external committees.
Specifications
ACCM is operates from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Due to the nature of this project, the Coordinator must be flexible working some evenings and occasionally on weekends. The pay rate for this position is $19.95 per hour, 32h per week, and includes 3 weeks of vacation (on top of end of year holidays) as well as a Health & Wellness fund.
Apply now!
Please submit a cover letter, CV and two references to Kimberly Wong (she/they/he) at pdm@accmontreal.org with “Chemsex Coordinator” in the subject line. We hope to receive your application by Monday, August 30th, 2021. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so candidates are encouraged to apply early, as ACCM will close the job posting if a suitable applicant is found prior to the deadline.
Even if you don’t feel like you are the perfect candidate, we would love to meet you!