Trans Health Peer Navigator

Lisez la version française.

Please note that fluency in both English and French (minimum level of NCLC 7 or CEFR B2), is a requirement for this role.

ABOUT MAX

MAX Ottawa has been working to improve the health and wellbeing of queer and trans people in the National Capital Region for over 20 years. As a community-based organization with a history in the HIV response, MAX is on the ground, meeting community members where they’re at, and offering social and support services, information, and referrals that meet their needs. MAX also works with healthcare and other service providers to improve the quality of care available in the region.

Our work is guided by our mission and values. In practice, that means our work is:

  • Community first: We make decisions by asking what will best support the community, not just what’s easiest internally.
  • Human-centred: We know staff are real people with full lives, and we aim to offer flexibility, trust, and care wherever we can.
  • Purpose-driven: The work you do here connects directly to real, tangible change for people in our communities.
  • Impact over ego: We’re here to make a difference, not to centre ourselves. We value collaboration, humility, and getting the work done well, together.
  • No busywork: We’re intentional about how we use our time. If we’re doing something, it’s because it matters.
  • Resourceful: We’re thoughtful with time, energy, and funding, and we look for creative ways to make the most of what we have.

These principles reflect how our values are lived day to day—by our staff, with our partners, and in community.

ABOUT YOU

You’re a trans and/or gender-diverse person with personal experience accessing HIV and/or sexual health support and care.  A good listener and comfortable meeting people where they’re at, you are someone who knows how to build trust and connection with community members. You can easily hold conversations and manage correspondence in English and French about health, gender identity, and various lived experiences, with care and without judgement. 

You don’t need to have all the answers. We’re looking for someone who is curious, willing to learn, and interested in community-based health and research. Ideally, you have some experience with outreach, community building, data collection, or system navigation, and a keen interest in helping people find the services and support they need. Familiarity with local health and social services, especially those serving trans and gender-diverse communities, is an asset.

ABOUT THE JOB

This role supports trans and gender-diverse individuals in accessing affirming health and community services through the Affirm program. Working within the framework developed by the TWIRI initiative, the Trans Health Peer Navigator will build trusting relationships, assess individual needs, provide personalized referral packages, and follow up with community members to understand their experiences and outcomes. Through this work, they will help people to:

  • Navigate gender-affirming care — including hormones, surgeries, referrals, waitlists, and finding affirming providers
  • Access affirming sexual health services — including HIV/STBBI testing, treatment and prevention, pregnancy prevention, and contraception
  • Access harm reduction and substance use supports — including drug information, sterile equipment, treatment options, and mental health and substance use services
  • Connect with community and peer support — including peer counselling and trans and gender-diverse community programs

The Trans Health Peer Navigator is also responsible for working with the TWIRI research team to document and assess the impact of the TGD Care Tool, which has been designed to improve access to care for community members. 

About TWIRI

The Trans Women and Gender Diverse People HIV/STBBI and Health Research Initiative (TWIRI) was founded in 2017 by Dr. Mona Loutfy and community leaders, including long-time advocate Yasmeen Persad, building on over a decade of work to engage trans women in HIV research. TWIRI uses community-driven, interdisciplinary research principles to understand and optimize the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people living with and affected by HIV. The initiative grew from its early roots in the Women Community-Based Research Project (2007) and the Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (2011), which explored the priorities and experiences of women living with HIV and collected comprehensive data to improve care and outcomes, ensuring the inclusion and meaningful participation of trans women. It has since expanded into a national team that prioritizes the needs and voices of trans and gender diverse communities across Canada.

The TGD CARE Tool is a research intervention designed to meet trans and gender diverse (TGD) people’s needs for HIV/STBBI prevention and care, gender-affirming healthcare, mental health and substance use support, and social determinants of health. Based out of Women’s College Hospital, in collaboration with community-based organizations, this work is community-engaged, intersectional, and grounded in both empirical evidence and lived/living experiences. The project aims to reduce barriers and improve access to affirming care by using a culturally safe needs assessment (the TGD CARE tool) and personalized referral packages, supporting participants and service providers in fostering equitable, accessible, and holistic health outcomes.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trans Health Peer Navigator is responsible for supporting trans and gender-diverse people in navigating health, social, and community services through relationship-building, referrals, and follow-up. Specifically, that includes:

  • (45%) Leading the administration of the TWIRI project at MAX, including:
    • Recruiting and engaging trans and gender diverse (TGD) participants who are seeking gender-affirming and sexual health care;
    • Conducting screening, informed consent, and administering the CARE tool (baseline and follow-up surveys) in accordance with approved research ethics protocols;
    • Delivering personalized Referral Packages using participants’ preferred method and supporting follow-up engagement at 3- and 6-month visits;
    • Maintaining accurate and confidential documentation of study visits, referral delivery, participant interactions, and tracking logs, ensuring confidentiality and ethical compliance;
    • Participating in and completing training related to the CARE tool, research ethics, data collection, and referral processes; and
    • Participating in weekly check-ins with the Central Research Coordinator and regular TWIRI team meetings.
  • (40%) Supporting the Affirm program with health navigation, including:
    • Providing peer-led, affirming support to trans and gender-diverse people navigating health and social services by responding to questions and requests for support;
    • Supporting individuals in navigating barriers to accessing services, including referrals, waitlists, and unfamiliar systems, by identifying gender-affirming healthcare providers and services;
    • Sharing clear, judgement-free information about sexual health and HIV/STBBI testing, treatment, and prevention;
    • Educating peers about safer substance use practices, including sharing information on drug functions, effects, and impacts; and
    • Connecting service users with other peer programs, community supports, and relevant resources to support their overall health and wellbeing.
  • (15%) Ensuring consistent program administration, including:
    • Organizing all work within established project management systems (ex. Teamwork);
    • Investigating and supporting the implementation of new tools, and reviewing and updating Standard Operating Procedures, as needed;
    • Collecting and reporting on relevant data, ensuring all data collected is organized and archived appropriately; and
    • Reviewing and recommending ways to improve program-related processes, practices, and structures to ensure cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

The Trans Health Peer Navigator is also responsible for the following general areas:

  • Collaborating with the rest of the MAX team to ensure coordination and integration of resources, programs, and services across the organization. 
  • Building and maintaining solid working and supportive relationships with service users, volunteers, external agencies, and other staff;
  • Ensuring all data collected is organized and archived appropriately;
  • Maintaining privacy standards in accordance with MAX policies.

In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the Navigator is expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and building relationships.

The Navigator will also be expected to perform other duties as assigned, provided they are within the Navigator’s capacity and skill set.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Requirements (These requirements must be met before the candidate will be considered for an interview)

  • You identify as a trans and/or gender diverse individual;
  • You have lived experience accessing HIV and/or STBBI prevention support and care;
  • A minimum of one year’s experience providing peer support, making service referrals, participating in outreach activities, or related support work with community members;
  • Relevant formal education in health sciences, social services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and lived experience related to peer support, community services, and harm reduction.
  • Experience working with 2SLGBTQIA+ people; and
  • Ability to communicate with community members fluently in both English and French (reading, comprehension, and speaking).
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including writing, editing, and formatting;

Additional Qualifications

  • Familiarity with local health and social services, particularly those serving TGD communities, is an asset;
  • Comfort navigating sensitive topics related to health, identity, and lived experience;
  • Experience in work-planning, project management, and reporting;
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain and safeguard confidential or sensitive information;
  • Ability to proactively identify and solve problems and respond well to changing circumstances;
  • Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and organizational skills;
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team member, and outside of regular work hours;
  • Proficiency in using digital communications and work tools, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom, and Teamwork;
  • Clear understanding of—and commitment to working through—harm reduction, queer liberation, and sex positive frameworks;
  •  Willingness and ability to work within anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks;
  • Prior experience in a community health or social services agency would be an asset.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • Hours: Part-time (15-22.5 hours per week)
  • Term: Indeterminate
  • Wage: $25.00/hour
  • Start date: Immediately
  • Reports to: Director of Community Programs
  • Location: National Capital Region

MAX is an equal opportunity employer, and people who have experienced marginalization are highly encouraged to apply. This includes people living with HIV, racialized people, gay, bisexual, or queer people, trans or gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the hiring process.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to applications@maxottawa.ca. We will begin reviewing applications on Monday, October 26. This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

We do not use AI in assessing applications or responding to candidates. If you have questions about the position or the application process, please email applications@maxottawa.ca and someone from our team will get back to you.