Director of Peer Learning, The Alliance for Violence Intervention

Brief Overview:

We are searching for a Director of Peer Learning to play a central role in the recruitment, maintenance, and retention strategies for member programs of the HAVI.

Position Description:

To heal communities affected by violence, The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (www.thehavi.org) fosters hospital and community collaborations to advance equitable, trauma-informed care for violence intervention/ prevention programs. Our vision is to build a system of healthcare that mobilizes hospitals and communities to end violence, together.

Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) vary in the specifics of their design and scope, but typically include a brief intervention in the emergency department or at the hospital bedside as well as intensive community-based case management services following discharge. HVIP services are provided by culturally competent Violence Prevention Professionals who often also serve in a mentorship capacity. HVIPs are rooted in the philosophy that violence is preventable and that violent injury offers a “teachable moment” and unique opportunity to break cycles of violence. HVIPs embrace a public health approach to violence prevention as they are grounded in data, which indicate that victims of violence are at elevated risk for re-injury and violence perpetration. This model has been the subject of numerous peer-reviewed studies indicating promising impact on injury recidivism, criminal justice contact, and trauma symptoms. HVIPs are now a recommended practice by the federal government.

The network has grown to hundreds of individuals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, gang interventionists, outreach workers and researchers who are affiliated with 41 member programs in the U.S., Canada, England and El Salvador. Our goal is to support the growth of HVIPs throughout the United States.

The HAVI’s Peer Learning Department focuses on educational opportunities that enhance the connections, experiences, and well-being of HVIP programs with at least 1 year of experience. This includes but is not limited to HAVI full members, emerging members, and prospective HAVI members. This department oversees the HAVI annual conference, membership working groups, the training and development of frontline workers, and other special projects.

The HAVI hosts a large annual conference, which convenes over 500 professionals implementing our health approach throughout the country and the world. We also staff member working groups that focus on Mental Health, Research, Policy, Workforce Development, and more, and provide training and technical assistance to hospitals and communities that want to begin HVIPs and to existing programs that need support.

The HAVI is a fiscally sponsored project of Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA). HRiA is a nonprofit public health and medical research funding organization based in Boston, Massachusetts with a mission to help people live healthier lives and build healthier communities through prevention, health promotion, policy, and research. HRiA works with a diverse group of clients across the country to address some of the most critical public health issues using innovative and evidence-based approaches to improve population health. Our clients include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, state and local health departments, hospitals, and private/corporate philanthropic entities.

The Director of Peer Learning will play a central role in the recruitment, maintenance, and retention strategies for member programs of the HAVI. The ideal candidate has experience with the healthcare system and health equity and possesses natural leadership skills. The candidate will collaborate with a variety of staff and consultants in the violence-intervention community. We seek leaders with a passion for violence intervention work who understand the powerful impact of HVIPs. Candidates should also have experience lifting nascent programs off the ground, and have a strong capacity to focus on clear, achievable goals with the ability to pivot quickly as new opportunities arise.

The Director of Peer Learning will report to the Executive Director. This is an exempt, full-time, fully remote position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This includes but is not limited to the following:

Management

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Senior Advisor for Peer Learning, develop and expand the HAVI Peer Learning Department.
• Identify and operationalize peer learning strategies, including but not limited to developing communities of practice, peer mentoring strategies, and peer-to-peer learning collaboratives.
• Identify, create, and support leadership and professional development opportunities for staff and HVIPs.
• Design and coordinate evaluation and quality improvement activities to monitor effectiveness.
• Supervise and manage all staff within the Peer Learning Department

Project Work

• Support existing members and potential members (emerging hospital-based violence intervention programs) through programmatic development and regular communication;
• Develop working groups and learning communities for members of the HAVI;
• Administer an annual survey to members;
• Manage the annual conference in partnership with HAVI staff, consultants, and conference committees

Thought Leadership

• Work alongside the Director of Training and Technical Assistance to develop training opportunities for members and prospective members
• Participate and present at regional and national conferences and forums on behalf of the HAVI
• Liaise with leaders on related local, regional, state, and federal projects and organizations as required
• Participate in strategic planning for the growth and direction of the network
• Participate on HRiA Committees, workgroups, and organization-wide events, as appropriate, and suggest improvements in processes, etc

Business Development

• Assist in fundraising objectives through presenting on conference calls, public speaking engagements, and board meetings

Special Requirements

• Advanced degrees and/or certifications in Public Health, Social Work, or related fields
• 5+ years of progressive management experience in education, nonprofit, or management consulting sectors
• Experience with the US healthcare system specifically in clinical responses to violence, psychological trauma, and health equity
• Experience supervising staff
• Experience hosting or supporting large events – including an annual conference

Candidate Qualifications:

• Ability to telecommute
• Ability to travel nationally (30-40%)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to supervise others according to Strengths-Based Leadership Theory
• Operates with a lens of equity, social justice and trauma-informed approaches
• Ability to work as a part of a team–leading when appropriate and accepting feedback
• Ability to adapt communication appropriately for purpose and audience
• High level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks with accuracy and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to design presentations using professional tools such as powerpoint, prezi, etc.
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Respectful of cultural differences, and values diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of work duties that will be required in this position. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify, the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and contract work of staff under his/her supervision. The use of a particular illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties, not mentioned, that are of a similar level or difficulty.

How to Apply:

HRiA is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse work force that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Diversity is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds.

HRiA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Health Resources in Action offers an attractive benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance, retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity, and generous starting vacation of four weeks.

To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements online.