McMaster University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without discrimination, as required by Ontario Human Rights Code, including accommodation of job applicants in a manner that respects their dignity, is equitable, and enhances their ability to compete for jobs, perform their work and fully participate in employment at the University. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact the University's Human Resources Department to communicate any known accommodation needs. Human Resources will work with the hiring committee or supervisor to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation (e.g., translators, wheelchair accessible interview room, rescheduling of interviews due to family or religious needs, etc.).
Committed to employment equity, McMaster University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, Aboriginal Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, members of gender and sexual diverse groups and persons with disabilities.
Job Summary
The Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) is seeking an exceptional professional to fill the role of Senior Human Rights Advisor (SHRA), with specialized expertise in discrimination and harassment issues, accessibility and accommodation, and general harassment. Reporting to the Director, Human Rights & Accessibility, the SHRA is charged with three primary tasks:
1. Receiving, assessing, investigating, mediating and advising on complaints and consultations on human rights and accessibility matters according to the procedures set out· in the University's Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP) and Sexual Harassment Policy (SHP) and current best practices.
2. Fulfilling the educational mandates of the Office as articulated in the ADP and SHP by designing, developing, and implementing workshops and specialized training designed to raise awareness about issues such as harassment, discrimination, accommodation, accessibility and other issues; and
3. Developing and/or drafting policies, procedures, and programs that support McMaster University in building an inclusive community with a shared purpose and complying with human rights standards under legislation such as the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) and other relevant human rights legislation, and providing strategic, high-level advice to key consulted goups across the University campus.
Accountabilities
These roles are fulfilled in cooperation with the EIO Team. The SHRA's duties include:
1. Promoting current human rights principles and practices and upholding McMaster University policies and human rights legislation.
2. Intake, processing and resolution of human rights complaints and consultations within a conflict resolution framework, having regard to human rights legislation and University policies, with an ability to engage in creative problem-solving on matters of intense conflict or unpleasant social contacts among diverse populations.
3. Demonstrating project management expertise for the development and implementation of a legislative framework.
4. Possessing highly developed leadership skills in order to collaborate with and provide support to senior administrators by recommending and/or implementing plans, policy, and programs and reviewing/monitoring McMaster's compliance with relevant human rights legislation with the goal of ensuring that the University meets its overall legislative obligations.
5. Consulting with and advising campus constituencies where additional resources or legislative issues are identified, which includes providing legal and strategic opinions/recommendations to the University for consideration and approval.
6. Anticipating potential impact on current and future legislative and University-wide initiatives, including working with HRES, the President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) and the Mcmaster Accessibility Council (MAC) to position the organization for appropriate responses.
7. Implementing, administering and/or monitoring University-wide mechanisms and/or programs and making recommendations to resolve issues related to noncompliance (e.g., of legislation such as the Ontario Human Rights Code, AODA, OHSA, etc.);
8. Responding to complaints from members of the university community in regard to access, accommodation, and other prohibited human rights grounds and managing the complaints resolution processes related to same.
9. Conducting informal investigations and audits upon receipt of complaints or consultations, including gathering information and speaking with witnesses (if necessary/available) to generate options for complaint resolution.
10. Providing education, awareness. and training to students. staff, faculty, supervisory personnel and administrators on harassment, discrimination, and other human rights-related issues in relation to the University community by designing and implementing policies and programs on related topics.
11. Reviewing and analyzing existing University-wide policies, recommending and/or drafting revisions.
12. Leading and/or assisting with the coordination, preparation and/or dissemination of various EIO publications and other communication vehicles:
13. Participating in and/or leading meetings with various University key consulted goups to provide updates on the progress of projects.
14. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Education
- Advanced Degree in a related field (e.g. Public Policy & Administration, Law, Education, Social Work, Social Sciences, etc.). A law degree and membership in a provincial bar association will be considered assets.
- Conflict resolution and/or investigation training. Project management training in this regard is considered an asset.
- Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Employment Equity Act (and/or Federal Contractors Program) and other relevant human rights legislation
Experience
- Significant experience (at least five (5) years) leading complex policy and project initiatives in the area(s) of diversity, employment equity, accessibility management, and/or human rights in a complex, multi-key consulted goups environment.
- Significant experience (at least five (5) years) with human rights policies and practices, conflict resolution and investigation techniques, with an ability to engage in creative problem-solving on matters of intense conflict or unpleasant social contacts among diverse populations.
- Relevant experience (at least three (3) years) as an educator, preferably at a university, or other diverse corporate or non-profit entity. and preferably in the area of human rights, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, as well as approaches to the design and implementation of educational programs, especially for adult learners in an institutional setting
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Vaccination Policy Statement
The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Vaccination Policy is currently paused, it may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. Should it become necessary in future to resume the Policy, all community members will need to demonstrate compliance at that time. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.