Position Summary: The Greater Hamilton Health Network’s (GHHN) Harm Reduction and Safe Supply Working Group (HRSSWG) is looking for people with lived experiences regarding substance use and addictions to advise and assist in carrying out their mission of collaborating, co-designing, and promoting harm reduction and safer supply initiatives in Hamilton. The purpose of Lived Experience Advisors is to provide important community and client perspectives and to have direct impact on the development of harm reduction and safer supply initiatives.

Main Responsibilities:

• Prepare for, attend, and actively participate in meetings.
• Identify resources as required to advance the work of the HRSSWG and GHHN.
• Provide oversight and support the implementation of the HRSSWG work plan.
• Work collaboratively, and in accordance with the principles, to identify solutions necessary to achieve better outcomes for the GHHN-attributed population.
• Help to foster a safe space where the “voice” of those who use drugs or have lived experience is heard, active, and involved in health system planning and design.

HRSSWG Guiding Principles:

All members are expected to adhere to the following guiding principles:

• Build on existing evidence-based approaches and innovative care models with patient-interests as the central focal point.
• Commit to actively and effectively participating as part of the GHHN in order to advance Safe Supply and Harm Reduction Interventions in a way that is collaborative, effective, and responds to the needs of the GHHN-attributed population.
• Strengthen shared leadership, teamwork, unity, integration, provider experience, and accountability across health, community, and social sectors.
• Commit to ensuring all initiatives and decisions are in the best interest of the GHHN-attributed population.
• Advocate for the needs of patients and providers to relevant parties.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• The ability and comfort to use personal experiences of being a person with lived or living experience using illicit drugs or a family/friend who has/is supporting a person with lived or living experience using illicit drugs.
• Demonstrated commitment to harm reduction practice and philosophy.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with peers, community members, clients, and/or colleagues.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, cissexism, transphobia, heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, White supremacy, anti-Black racism, colonialism, and settler colonialism.

Contract: Applicants to attend monthly meetings. Payment of $20/hour will be provided. Access to a digital device to email and attend virtual meetings is helpful but if this a barrier please let us know and we can work with you.

To apply please email explaining why you are interested in the position to Marijke.Jurriaans@GHHN.ca.

The GHHN is committed to equity and diversity. People from equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply and self-identify in their cover letter. If you need accommodation in any part of the application process, please email Marijke.Jurriaans@GHHN.ca.