OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

OCAD University , Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces team-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction Project, the Health Promoter is responsible for supporting the implementation, delivery, and evaluation of the Integrated Harm Reduction and Mental Health Capacity Building Initiative, funded by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES). This multi-phase initiative is delivered in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, George Brown Polytechnic, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre,



and The Neighbourhood Group Community Services.

The Health Promoter will play a key role in advancing project objectives through the development and delivery of health promotion activities, harm reduction education, substance use literacy initiatives, overdose response training, student outreach, resource development, peer engagement, and knowledge dissemination. In addition to supporting the harm reduction initiative, this position contributes to the broader Student Wellbeing portfolio by promoting awareness of and access to student wellness and other student support offices.

The Health Promoter will work collaboratively across Student Wellbeing teams and with community partners to develop and implement health promotion interventions that empower students to increase autonomy over their health and wellbeing. The incumbent will support the development of integrated care pathways, strengthen referral networks, build partnerships that enhance student support systems, and advocate for equitable access to services. This role contributes to fostering a culture of care grounded in trauma-informed, equity-based, anti-oppressive, health promotion, and harm reduction approaches.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Harm Reduction and Health Promotion, Training and Student Engagement

- Support the development, implementation,



and evaluation of harm reduction, substance use literacy, mental health promotion, and overdose response initiatives.
- Co-facilitate workshops with other partner institutions, OCAD staff and students to lead training sessions, presentations, outreach activities, and awareness initiatives for students, staff, and faculty.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase awareness of harm reduction and mental health resources through digital, in-person, and drop-in programming.
- Conduct outreach during key periods including orientation, examinations, and other campus events, which may include evening and/or weekend.
- Respond to student inquiries and provide information, service navigation, and referrals to appropriate campus and community supports.
- Engage and provide day to day guidance to the Peer Health Educator in delivering programming and project deliverables
- Foster welcoming, inclusive, and non-judgmental spaces that encourage student engagement and help-seeking.

Peer Engagement and Community Partnerships

- Collaborate with the project team, including cross-institutional counterparts, peers and student communities to co-design and deliver outreach initiatives, events, campaigns, and educational content.
- Support the training of peers, including topics such as harm reduction, communication skills, boundaries, confidentiality, de-escalation, and referral pathways.
- Assist with coordination of community partners participating in project activities and events.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with students, community partners, and cross-institutional stakeholders to support project goals.
- Work with the Manager,

📌 Health Promoter, Harm Reduction Project (Canada)
🏢 OCAD University
📍 Canada