Public Interest Advocacy jobs in Toronto, ON

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction Project, the Health Promoter is responsible for supporting the implementation, delivery, and evaluation of the Integrated Harm Reduction and Mental Health Capacity Building Initiative, funded by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES). This multi-phase initiative is delivered in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, George Brown Polytechnic, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, and The Neighbourhood Group Community Services.

The Health Promoter will play a key role in advancing project objectives through the development and delivery of health promotion activities, harm reduction education, substance use literacy initiatives, overdose response training, student outreach, resource development, peer engagement, and knowledge dissemination. In addition to supporting the harm reduction initiative, this position contributes to the broader Student Wellbeing portfolio by promoting awareness of and access to student wellness and other student support offices.

The Health Promoter will work collaboratively across Student Wellbeing teams and with community partners to develop and implement health promotion interventions that empower students to increase autonomy over their health and wellbeing. The incumbent will support the development of integrated care pathways, strengthen referral networks, build partnerships that enhance student support systems, and advocate for equitable access to services. This role contributes to fostering a culture of care grounded in trauma-informed, equity-based, anti-oppressive, health promotion, and harm reduction approaches.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Harm Reduction and Health Promotion, Training and Student Engagement

• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of harm reduction, substance use literacy, mental health promotion, and overdose response initiatives.
• Co-facilitate workshops with other partner institutions, OCAD staff and students to lead training sessions, presentations, outreach activities, and awareness initiatives for students, staff, and faculty.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase awareness of harm reduction and mental health resources through digital, in-person, and drop-in programming.
• Conduct outreach during key periods including orientation, examinations, and other campus events, which may include evening and/or weekend.
• Respond to student inquiries and provide information, service navigation, and referrals to appropriate campus and community supports.
• Engage and provide day to day guidance to the Peer Health Educator in delivering programming and project deliverables
• Foster welcoming, inclusive, and non-judgmental spaces that encourage student engagement and help-seeking.

Peer Engagement and Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with the project team, including cross-institutional counterparts, peers and student communities to co-design and deliver outreach initiatives, events, campaigns, and educational content.
• Support the training of peers, including topics such as harm reduction, communication skills, boundaries, confidentiality, de-escalation, and referral pathways.
• Assist with coordination of community partners participating in project activities and events.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with students, community partners, and cross-institutional stakeholders to support project goals.
• Work with the Manager, Harm Reduction Project to further develop integrated care pathway models.
• Expand the reach of the Student Wellbeing portfolio by reaching out to create referral pathways for students

Knowledge Dissemination and Project Implementation

• Develop and adapt educational materials, resource guides, toolkits, and communications to ensure accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and relevance to diverse student communities.
• Support creation of promotional materials and project communications.
• Assist with planning and coordination of the student-led podcast and related knowledge mobilization activities.
• Support student participation in content development and contribute to dissemination of project resources, findings, and educational materials across institutional channels.
• Participate in project planning, implementation, and delivery of project objectives and deliverables.

Evaluation, Reporting and Administration

• Collect and maintain participation, engagement, and evaluation data.
• Support survey development, data collection, analysis, and reporting activities.
• Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and knowledge-sharing materials.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement activities and incorporate student and stakeholder feedback into programming.
• Participate in project, departmental, and team meetings as required.
• Perform other related duties that support the successful implementation of the project.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in a related field (e.g., social work, social justice, public health, community development) and a minimum of three (3) years of direct experience providing community-based support in harm reduction, substance use and/or mental, and/or community development settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles, with applied experience integrating a harm reduction lens in community-based and post-secondary environments.
• Direct experience working with individuals and communities affected by structural and systemic inequities, and a strong understanding of intersectionality and how social location shapes access to mental health, substance use, and health-related supports.
• Proven ability to support individuals with complex, intersectional needs, including navigating fragmented systems and addressing barriers related to housing, income, stigma, and health care access.
• Strong alignment with student-centred, peer-informed approaches, valuing lived and living experience and supporting co-creation and participatory engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multiple partners and stakeholders (e.g., post-secondary institutions, community organizations), with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating workshops, groups, education sessions, and/or outreach activities that are engaging, inclusive, and responsive to diverse communities.
• Experience supporting student engagement initiatives and peer-led programming, centering their voices and expertise
• Strong knowledge of the social determinants of health, with a demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and health equity in program design and delivery.
• Excellent organizational skills, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accuracy, and work effectively in a dynamic, multi-site project environment.
• Demonstrated judgment, tact, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information, with the ability to respond calmly and appropriately in crisis or urgent situations and seek consultation as needed.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and sound judgment, while also contributing effectively to a collaborative, cross-partner team.
• Experience responding to urgent or crisis situations, including overdose response, with appropriate training and adherence to protocols (e.g., consultation, documentation, escalation pathways).
• Current or willingness to obtain Standard First Aid, CPR, naloxone administration, and overdose response training.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and creating respectful learning and work environments.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to use digital tools for communication, reporting, and program delivery.
• Flexibility to work occasionally outside of standard business hours, including evenings and/or weekends, to support outreach and student engagement activities.

Mode of Work: On Campus

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until March 31, 2028.

Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) no later than Sunday November 8th 2026.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.