Posted: August 10, 2020 – August 24, 2020
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Non-Unionized Position
One (1) temporary full-time position
(Until March 31, 2021)
Introduction:
Cota is an accredited community-based organization that has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities for over 45 years. We provide person-centred supports that assist individuals to find inspiration and hope in their inherent strengths and support them to pursue meaningful change in their lives, as they define it. We also work collaboratively with our funders, our partners and other stakeholders, across the provincial health and social service systems, to inspire positive change in the way that services are delivered to individuals living with mental health and cognitive challenges.
Are you a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (DE&I Officer) seeking the opportunity to work in a dynamic, rewarding and innovative environment? Are you qualified and passionate about working in an organization where you can collaborate with our diverse employees, volunteers, students and other stakeholders to support continuous improvement through the application of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices? Would you like to work alongside an established HR team, who is passionate about matters of diversity, equity and inclusion in supporting employees and leaders in all aspects of HR functions in line with Cota’s strategic direction of “Investing in our People”? Are you excited about working in an organization that is all about the delivery of safe, recovery oriented, client & family centered comprehensive services? Would you like to be part of the ‘Cota Family’ as we continue inspiring, and providing excellent community-based support through our diverse workforce to our clients?
If your answer to any of the above is yes, then the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (DE&I Officer) role in Cota is right for you!
We are seeking a dynamic and innovative individual who will work collaboratively with employees, volunteers, students and other stakeholders to support continuous improvement within our organization through the application of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Job Description:
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (DE&I Officer) reports to the Director, People + Culture and is responsible for ensuring that Cota’s workplace and service delivery practices are ones in which human rights are respected and the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are fully integrated. To this end, the DE&I Officer will be responsible for assessing Cota’s existing practices through engagement with Cota employees, volunteers, students and service users to identify areas for continuous improvement, recommending strategies and approaches for positive impact and, once authorized, for coordinating their respective implementation.
Key Responsibilities:
During this term of this contract, the DE&I Officer will work with Cota’s Diversity and Equity Task Force to conduct an initial audit of Cota’s internal practices and provide a summary report making recommendations for improvement, that are both positive and possible, to the Director, People & Culture in relation to:
- Internal policies
- Education & training
- Communications: internal and external
- Recruitment practices
- Discipline practices
- Ensuring that access and inclusion best practices are used in service delivery for our clients
- The formation and development of a standing Cota Diversity & Equity Committee, inclusive of a proposed Terms of Reference
Systems and processes to ensure safe ways exist for employees, volunteers and students to seek support or bring forward concerns in relation to issues of diversity - A proposed evaluation processes/measures to gauge progress
Once approved, the DE&I Officer will begin coordinating the implementation of such organizational improvement strategies, initiatives, and programs that promote the overall vision, strategy, and goals for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Other Responsibilities:
During the course of this contract the DE&I Officer may also be called upon to assume any of the following duties, as appropriate and as time allows:
- Design, deliver and facilitate workshops, trainings, assessments, dialogues, and interventions with and for Employees, staff and management with the goal of enhancing awareness of the experiences of historically marginalized populations.
- Raise awareness and promote changed attitudes that are embedded in equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-oppression, intercultural understanding and mutual respect for members of Cota community.
Facilitate dialogues and group conversations in which there is potential for conflict among participants, with an understanding of how identity, history, power, systematic discrimination and other barriers to equality impact the work environment, the communities we serve and the larger society. - Facilitate equitable and sound conflict resolution between parties, as necessary
- Facilitate meaningful collaboration and engagement between other equity, diversity and inclusion-seeking service provider organizations, and with the broader external community in order to nurture and sustain effective partnerships.
- Other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned.
It is expected that the DE&I Officer will contribute to the positive culture at Cota and act with tact and discretion when engaging highly sensitive matters that affect employees.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent experience; experience in Human Resources with solid knowledge and working experience with diversity and inclusion initiatives, change management, strategy development and leadership programs.
- Substantive knowledge and experience to participate comfortably in discussions on equity, diversity, inclusion using current discourse (e.g. anti-oppression, social justice, inter-culturalism, feminism, critical race theory, disability studies, queer studies, decolonization etc.) while remaining open to new and challenging ideas.
- Proven demonstrated experience and knowledge in the development and implementation of educational programs and campaigns related to equity, inclusion and diversity.
- Strong interest and/or grounding in dialogue and conflict resolution theory and practice
- Advanced skills in public speaking and group facilitation and familiarity with a range of facilitation methods and approaches.
- Exceptional listener, with strong written and oral communication skills, analytical thinking skills, and organizational abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to navigate difficult and complex conversations with employees, staff and management.
- Ability to effectively execute directives, policies, and strategies and make sound judgments and careful evaluations of alternatives in the absence of specific policies.
- Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across the organization greater community, and to develop and sustain effective relationships.
- Maintains a professional manner under duress and prioritizes multiple tasks while setting healthy boundaries.
- Authentic passion for lifelong learning, who stays current with leading and innovative diversity research and topics.
The following would be considered additional assets:
- Advanced degree in diversity and inclusion related area
- Experience applying blended learning strategies
- Change Management training and/or certification
- Other industry based certifications related to Adult Education, Diversity and Organizational Development
HOURS OF WORK
The majority of the working hours fall within regular business hours. Flexibility is required to attend occasional evening, early morning and/or weekend meetings.
To Apply:
Please forward a cover letter and your current resume (in one file) on or before August 24, 2020 by 4:00pm to Human Resources via e-mail opportunities@cotainspires.ca and reference Job Posting #265.
Posting ad date is August 24, 2020; the posting will remain open until successfully filled.
If you have any requirements for accommodation due to disability, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment and selection process. We will work with you to best meet your needs as per resources available to us.
Cota is an equal opportunity employer. We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We request no emails, faxes, phone calls, or requests to meet please. Cota encourages a scent-free environment. Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.).