Associate Director Policy & Programs - University of Waterloo

Overview

The Associate Director supports the Senior Director in their strategic vision and leadership through the implementation of strategic initiatives, policy development, project planning and implementation for the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Initiatives, Policy Development, Project Planning, and Implementation
• Leads complex pan university initiatives to embed equity and anti-racism across the institution, including but not limited to policy development and reviews
• Collaborates with and advises Faculties and Academic Support Units on the development and implementation of their strategic equity and anti-racism commitments
• Supports the implementation of the Office of EDI-R’s strategic plan
• Employs project management approaches to manage work, information and logistics of project deliverables
• Maintains a strong understanding of current research, best practices, policies, legal and legislative frameworks related to equity and anti-racism, critical race theory, Black Feminist Thought & Theory and conducts/commissions research as needed
• Evaluates current legislation, policies, practices, programs and processes and makes recommendations to ensure they are equitable and anti-racist

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Actively builds relationships to support a model of collaboration, consultation, and partnerships on campus
• Addresses complex equity and anti-racism issues escalated by other members of the EDI-R team
• Provides equity and anti-racism expertise on campus committees and working groups
• Creates and chairs committees related to equity and anti-racism, as needed

Competency & Capacity Building

• Coordinates or provides competency and capacity building to senior level administration when needed (e.g. senior level hiring committees)
• Provides oversight and support to the EDI-R team in the implementation of relevant programs and policies

Office Administration

• Performs administrative functions for the Senior Director when that position is absent, which may include:
• Managing contract staff and co-op students as needed
• Managing special project budgets
• Contributes to and updates the EDI-R Office strategic plan and individual workplans with consultation from the team and key stakeholders
• Creates and delivers presentations to Executive Council, Info Group and Dean’s Council when requested
• Contributes to the Office of EDI-R risk report
• Prepares annual progress reports for the EDI-R Office

Qualifications

• Advanced education in a relevant discipline will be considered an asset
• Significant knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racism, decolonization, critical race theory, Black feminist thought/theory, anti-oppression and a track record of demonstrably confronting racism at a large, decentralized, and complex university or institution
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and institutional-wide programs
• Experience in managing institutional risks through corporate risk registers
• Experience effecting organizational change, including policy, procedural, practical and behavioural change
• Experience implementing and enforcing corporate equitable and anti-racist policies
• Proven ability in project management and leading teams/employees
• Experience working on organization-wide committees and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Proven ability to advance policies, programs, and practices with the framework of equity and anti-racism
• Experience, and demonstrated ability to build partnerships, collaborate and consult meaningfully with equity seeking groups
• Experience in developing equity and anti-racism related education, policies, and programming
• Experience managing budgets
• Strong political acuity and strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated strong understanding of equity, intersectionality, decolonization, inclusion, anti-oppression, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Anti-Racism Act (as well as other relevant legislation), and the application of those terms, frameworks and legislations in an institutional context
• The professional confidence and communication skills to effectively engage community members on what can often be contentious or delicate issues
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work on confidential and sensitive matters with tact and discretion
• A high level of interpersonal skills and the capacity to listen effectively and sensitively to a broad range of diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff members
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office programs, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and/or other data content management systems, quantitative and qualitative research design and methodologies

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the

Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.