Human Rights Advisor (Equity & Human Rights Office)

Trent University is actively committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact [email protected].

Job Purpose:

The Human Rights Advisor plays a key role in shaping and supporting various policies, practices, and initiatives that are designed to ensure Trent University’s working and learning environments are supportive for all students, staff and faculty.

Working closely with the Director, the Advisor will engage, advise and support the University’s administration in the promotion and implementation of the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and related human rights legislature as well as equity, diversity and inclusion practices.

Key activities for this role will include complaint process coordination, reporting, training and communication, subject matter advising, mediation and community outreach, support and delivery of campus wide programs and special projects in areas connected to the work of the Office. The Human Rights Advisor will draw upon in-depth knowledge of the Human Rights Code, ODA and the AODA to ensure the University is both proactive and compliant in meeting its goals and obligations.

Key Activities:

AODA/ODA Legislation

• Act as the University’s contact for feedback/complaints/collaboration/information/investigation as legislated under the AODA for staff, faculty, students, and third-party public, to minimize risk of escalation into human rights complaints.

OHRC Discrimination Complaints

• Act as the University’s contact for OHRC Discrimination complaints. Investigates and formulates the University’s response to complaints, facilitates effective complaints processes and acts as mediator when required.
• Keep up to date with developments in anti-discrimination legislation, regulations guidelines and associated good practices such as Bill 166 and Trent University Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
• Compile and submit necessary reports to Leadership and the Board.
• Carry out impact assessments on the effectiveness of specific practices, policies and procedures, and advise others on how to carry out such assessments.

Education, Training and Advising

• Act as a human rights subject matter expert for the University.
• Develop educational materials to be used institution-wide, including print and web-based materials.
• Develop and deliver workshops and training materials to enhance the capacity of Trent University faculty, staff and students in the areas of responsibility of the Office.
• Evaluate and gather feedback regarding training to make enhancements and appropriate modifications.

Policy Initiatives

• Review current policy and practice within the University and identify key human rights priorities for the University to ensure that the University is meeting its legal obligations under current, and future, anti-discrimination legislation.
• Develop an appropriate process for and carry out equity and accessibility impact assessments on the effectiveness of specific practices, policies and procedures, and advise others on how to carry out such assessments.

Project Management

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders on projects that enhance the overall OHRC compliance of Trent University.
• Develop sustainable systems to monitor and evaluate the University’s overall level of OHRC compliance.
• Evaluate and interpret monitoring data to improve the University’s performance in the areas of responsibility of the Office.

Education Required:

• Honours University Degree (4 year) in Human Rights Studies, Law or related area. A degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling will be considered if there is a specialization in Law. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience/Qualifications Required:

• Five (5) years of experience in human rights related work. Preference for work in a post-secondary or broader public sector environment.
• Experience in the design and delivery of educational programs in the areas of human rights and employment equity.
• Strong mediation skills and knowledge.
• In depth knowledge of related best practice and legislation including human rights, accessibility, anti-discrimination legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
• Possess good interpersonal skills, tact and discretion with the ability to handle contentious matters with sensitivity, confidentiality and balance.
• Ability to champion a culture change across the University.
• Possess good judgement with proven analytical, reasoning, decision making skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation and public speaking skills.
• An appreciation of the University environment, its diversity and an ability to relate well to staff, students and faculty.
• Ability to effectively utilize, relevant technologies, software applications, and systems including Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.
• Data management skills and ability to work competently with spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to conduct research and effectively write quantitative and qualitative reports.
• A satisfactory Criminal Record Check (“Police Record Check”), dated within the past six (6) months is required as a condition of employment.

Trent Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) Statement:

Trent University aims to provide a safe, accessible, equitable, inclusive campus for everyone. It seeks to address barriers and promote the inclusion of equity deserving groups and encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons who are differently abled, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value the lived experience of our candidates. We strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodation as required for applicants with disabilities.