Manager, Employment Services

• Jul 2020 - Present

Coordinator - Labour Market Integration, Toronto North Local Immigration Partnership

• Mar 2015 - Jul 2020

Support the management of the Employment and Labour Market Workgroup of the Toronto North LIP. This includes meeting management, agenda development, facilitating discussions and monitoring progress on actions identified by the workgroup; Perform online and phone-based research as well as face-to-face networking with partners, service providers, faith organizations, employers, institutions, funders, and other stakeholders at community-based meetings and conferences to help collect information on promising practices in services to newcomers; Engage community service providers and other stakeholders through various community networks and reach out to new partners and audiences to disseminate the work of Toronto North LIP and to seek partners to support new initiatives; Identify resource needs and available resources in relation to activities identified in the Toronto North Settlement Strategy and Action Plan and share resource information with partners; Support the development of tools, databases, training and events that enhance initiatives relevant to the designated workgroup, such as food security, health service access, language training, diversity hiring and awareness, needs and trends among sub-populations like women, men, seniors and children, among other topics; Assist in communication and promotion activities including preparation of newsletters, updating of website content, preparation of marketing and promotional material and outreach activities; Participate in evaluation processes and discussions related to recommendations.

Coordinator - Settlement, Orientation and Language

• Dec 2016 - Apr 2018

• Develop and implement appropriate strategies to address needs and improve access by implementing projects, partnerships and coalitions that promote inter-sectoral linkages • Work with key service providers to identify the existing capacity to facilitate and/or support the successful integration of newcomers and refugees, including identifying service gaps, developing strategies and plans to address them, as well as initiating implementation • Support system coordination efforts by working with City divisions, agencies, boards, commissions and relevant community partners and stakeholders to develop appropriate strategies to address community and newcomer needs and service system gaps related to settlement and integration of newcomers and refugees, and disseminate the work of TNLIP and to seek partners to support new initiatives; • Provide advice, consultation support, information and referrals to community members, service providers and community and newcomer organizations • Assist in the development and capacity building of organizations, networks and community groups established to meet identified service needs through, for example, policy development, and strategic planning • Design, develop and present information sessions for diverse audiences • Build and maintain relevant networks and service coordination mechanisms • Communicate and interpret relevant policies, programs and initiatives to the community and newcomer sector • Work with TNLIP members and stakeholders to enhance their skills in working with newcomers through consultation and education on newcomer settlement issues

Toronto Liaison Consultant

• Sep 2014 - Dec 2014

Liaise independently in the Toronto market promoting Sault College’s new Toronto-based program to related organizations, individuals, and agencies to increase awareness of the program(s) as well as the applicant pool. The focus was to develop and foster relationships, resulting in positive institutional partnerships leading to increased Toronto-based student enrolment and to improve conversion from prospect-to-registrant specifically for the Peace and Conflict Studies program in Toronto for January 2015. Developed market intelligence and established related contacts to look at innovative ways to expand newcomer outreach and international business. Relationship Management: Participated in recruitment fairs to recruit potential students, while identifying prospective organizational and agent partners to establish academic linkages

International Recruiter (part time)

• Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

Orientation Officer

• Apr 2011 - Oct 2013

The goal of Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP), which is managed by ACCC is to minimize risks and maximize opportunities in the job market in Canada for new immigrants to Canada. AT CIIP I have - • Delivered over 100 interactive pre-arrival one-day group orientation training sessions to over 1700 immigrants destined for Canada • Planned, organized and conducted off-site CIIP client programming across India and in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka on a monthly basis • Undertaken in-depth research and analysis into the Canadian labour market, settlement and language programming for immigrants, foreign credential recognition and current immigration integration issues and programming to ensure clients receive up-to-date and relevant information to successfully integrate into the Canadian labour market • Advised over 650 clients, made recommendations on actions to undertake as part of the development of the clients’ individualized action plans and made appropriate referrals to Canadian partner organizations such as COSTI Immigrant Services, HealthForce Ontario and George Brown College • Participate in the evaluation of programming for both federal and provincial clients including contributing as a member of the CIIP Global Action Team for revisions to the Federally Skilled Workers Group Orientation Session • Maintained close relationships with partner organization in Canada including immigrant-serving organizations, professional associations, sector councils and educational institutions including supervision of intern from George Brown College, lead for visitor delegations from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, CIIP China Field Office Manager and inter-office exchanges from the United Kingdom and China • Contributed to statistical and narrative progress reports • Trained and mentored new Orientation Officers • Participated in an inter-office exchange in China; and played an active role in training colleagues and focal point partners from Canada

Training and Documentation Specialist

• Sep 2010 - Mar 2011

As part of the CBCI-PACT project, the organization was setting up ‘Community Care Centres (CCCs)’ to provide care and support services to the people living with HIV/AIDS. At CBCI I - • Planned, organized, monitored and evaluated capacity building training workshops for the HIV/AIDS Community Care Centres’ staff, across the 5 states of – Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. The objective was to train the staff on improving access to available services by addressing HIV related stigma in the community. Agencies were hired to conduct these sessions to train over 200 staff. • Created project’s Information Education Communication materials including books for children, brochures, posters, website, newsletter, magazine and journal • Communicated and liaised with over 20 government and other stakeholders • Prepared all Project monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports

Program Coordinator

• Mar 2009 - Sep 2010

SPYM is a National NGO working in the spheres of Health, Drug Abuse Prevention, HIV/AIDS, and socio-economic development. At SPYM I - • Managed the implementation of the Link Worker Scheme of the Department of AIDS Control, including development and implementation of actions and work plans for five states, monitoring and evaluation of program, allocation of budget, supervised 5- State Coordinators and networking and advocacy with key stakeholders • Established and strengthened relationships with different government departments, civil society organizations and Panchayat Raj Institution members • Designed and facilitated training for 30 key stakeholders on drug addition, harm reduction and HIV/AIDS • Presented papers (on HIV/AIDS and related stigma; substance abuse among children; Migration and HIV Issues and Challenges ) at (8) conferences and (6) seminars at both the regional and national level • Supervised and trained 18 Social Work interns

Program Coordinator/Correspondent - Human Touch

• 2005 - 2006

Interviewed political leaders; wrote articles for newsletter; business development and fundraising for the NGO; economic empowerment of women (living in urban slums) through awareness building activities Interviewed political leaders; wrote articles for newsletter; business development and fundraising for the NGO; economic empowerment of women (living in urban slums) through awareness building activities