Description

Why Literacy? Work with purpose at United for Literacy.

Canada’s literacy divide widens daily because so many people lack adequate support. Solving systemic literacy challenges is key to advancing social equity and prosperity across our country. Literacy changes everything.

United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College) is a national charity founded in 1899. We believe literacy is a right and that every place can be a learning place. Our vision is a Canada where everyone has the literacy skills needed to achieve their goals at school, at work, and in life. Our mission is to provide local learning support programs that change lives.

We encourage applications that reflect the diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds we serve at United for Literacy. In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of our organization, we encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. 

The Opportunity

United for Literacy is proud to partner with the people of Preston Township (North Preston, East Preston, Lake Loon, and Cherry Brook), Nova Scotia—an African Nova Scotian community with deep historical roots, remarkable resilience, and a vibrant cultural identity. Preston Township is recognized as Canada’s largest and oldest Indigenous Black community.

Together with the community, we offer free, culturally safe, and inclusive programs that help students who face barriers succeed in school. We also offer family literacy programs that support parents, grandparents, and caregivers in building reading and writing skills for the whole family.

In this role, you will identify learning and support gaps and help design, plan, deliver, and evaluate programs for students and families that build on community strengths and complement existing services. You will also strengthen relationships with literacy partners, build new connections, hire and supervise part-time and summer staff, and recruit, train, and support volunteers.

This role is part of the Atlantic Canada team and reports to the Regional Manager for Atlantic Canada. You will work both independently and collaboratively to deliver and promote United for Literacy’s programs and to help build community awareness and support for literacy.

Your responsibilities

1. Program Delivery & Development

• Identify learning and support gaps in the community, with a focus on students and families who face the greatest barriers.
• Work with parents, schools, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, and community organizations to understand needs and identify where existing or new programs can help.
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate student success and family literacy programs that complement community offerings and address gaps in reading, writing, math, financial literacy, and digital literacy.

2. Staff and Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train, supervise, and support part-time youth interns, summer day camp leaders, reading tent animators, and volunteers.

3. Community & Partner Engagement

• Build and maintain strong community relationships to promote literacy, raise awareness of our programs, support local literacy efforts, and invite people to get involved.
• Identify and build on community strengths and resources, including local expertise, volunteers, youth interns, and spaces that support program delivery.

4. Training & Capacity Building

• Help develop new student success and family literacy programs when needed to respond to identified gaps.
• Support community and satellite partners with training and tools to deliver high-impact programs for students and families.
• Design and deliver training for volunteers, youth interns, summer staff, parents, and community partners.

5. Reporting, Evaluation & Administration

• Measure program impact using key performance indicators, learner self-assessments, and feedback from parents, volunteers, and community partners.
• Collect and report program data, including learner participation, volunteer involvement, and books distributed.
• Budget management 

Qualifications & Competencies
Required Qualifications

• You have knowledge of African Nova Scotian and Preston Township history and community context.
• You understand barriers to education and literacy and have experience supporting learners facing systemic barriers.
• You have experience using Africentric and culturally inclusive approaches in learning or community settings.
• You have post-secondary education, or an equivalent combination of education and community-based experience.
• You have at least one year of experience in education, literacy, children and youth work, or related community programming.

Assets

• Experience in identifying learning needs and helping develop responsive programs and supports is an asset.
• Experience building relationships with families, schools, and community organizations is an asset.
• Experience recruiting, training, and supporting staff and/or volunteers is an asset.
• Experience tracking participation and outcomes using surveys or self-assessment tools is an asset.

What We’re Looking For

• You communicate clearly and feel confident facilitating learning or group activities.
• You help create welcoming, supportive spaces where children, youth, and families can learn and grow.
• You are self-directed, dependable, and comfortable adapting to changing needs.
• You work well both independently and as part of a team.
• You bring a respectful, tactful, and compassionate approach to working with others.

Additional Requirements

• You are comfortable using Microsoft Office and other digital tools for communication, coordination, and reporting.
• You have a valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle.

Working with United for Literacy

Hours of Work: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (some evening or weekend hours may be required)

In addition to your salary, you will benefit from: 

Paid time off: 

• 15 vacation days per calendar year, pro-rated 
• Plus: paid time off during our seasonal closure between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day 
• Plus: half-days off before some long weekends (start your long weekend early!) 
• Plus: generous and compassionate wellness time allowance, and a “floating day” for personal/cultural events
• Flexible work hours, remote work options (in consultation with your supervisor) 
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package after probationary period 
• Employer-matched contribution to defined contribution pension plan. Eligible to enroll after one year of employment. 
• A work environment that seeks to be open, inclusive, and fun 
• Staff-led groups and committees include, among others: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI); Green Team; Internal Skills Development; and more.  
• Connect with your colleagues from coast to coast to coast for team-wide trainings and learning. 

Ready to Join Our Team?

Please email your cover letter and resume to:
Johnny St-Onge, Regional Manager – Atlantic Canada, 
[email protected]
Subject Line: (Insert Job Title – Your Name)

No phone calls, please. You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview.

For more information about United for Literacy visit www.unitedforliteracy.ca 
We welcome applications from individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. We are committed to integration and maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation. We invite applicants to request accommodation, as required, throughout the application and hiring process.