Acadia University

Acadia is looking to fill a Human Rights Education and Response Advocate position to aid in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university community. Working within a human rights framework and adhering to provincial human rights legislation, the Human Rights Education and Response Advocate will support the creation of an accessible and equitable community on campus.

Reporting to the Director of Human Rights & Equity, key activities for this role will include:

• Receive, investigate, and resolve complaints by informal resolution, mediation, or formal complaint, making recommendations as to resolutions and/or remedial actions or sanctions.
• Provide effective dispute resolution by administering the University Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination.
• Report and maintain confidential case-related documentation.
• Proactively champion positive change regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, harassment, discrimination, and human rights.
• Develop and implement equity programs and services and provide advice to the campus community.
• Support the campus in following community engaged practices for meaningful and intentional programming and support.
• Develop and deliver workshops and training materials to enhance the capacity of Acadia faculty, staff, and students in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Evaluate and gather feedback regarding training to make enhancements and appropriate modifications.
• Work closely with faculty, staff, and students to foster an inclusive community and respectful environment.
• Serve on or assist relevant committees as required.
• Prepare letters, reports, and memoranda for the office.
• Carry out data collection, analysis, and compile statistics.
• Support marketing and promotion of EDI initiatives. This includes overseeing the development and maintenance of the Human Rights and Equity Office website, social media, and other communication channels.

• We are seeking a candidate who has a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, education, counselling, social work, women & gender studies, or other relevant areas of study.

• Must have current knowledge of applicable laws, programs, diversity, equity, inclusion, and human rights issues in accordance with best practices.

• Experience in case management from note taking, report writing, to maintaining records.

• Experience and training in dispute resolution.

• Intersectional, anti-oppressive and trauma informed counselling skills an asset.

• Knowledge of, and lived experience, related to the needs of equity-deserving students and employees.

• Experience implementing community-based training and education initiatives.

• Ability to develop and facilitate educational programming for a broad and diverse audience, using a range of educational approaches/modalities.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality in a professional setting.

• Solid research, report writing, facilitation, and outreach skills.

• Superior organization and communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written, and listening).

• Experience using a variety of educational and promotional tools, including social media.

• Applicants must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications and comfortable working in a technology supported environment.

• Applicants are expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

For further information or to request a detailed job description, please contact Keilani Tupper at [email protected].

Acadia University, located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq nation, is one of Canada's leading primarily undergraduate institutions. For over 180 years, Acadia has been providing students with a learning environment that ensures they have every opportunity to succeed in life. Our graduates emerge with the tools required to be global citizens and community leaders. Acadia's faculty and staff are key to our institutional success and share a commitment to provide our students with a high quality post-secondary education. As a staff member, you will be part of this transformational educational experience where innovation is encouraged, and your ideas are welcomed.

Acadia University is located only one hour from the city of Halifax in Nova Scotia's beautiful Annapolis Valley in the Town of Wolfville. Wolfville offers residents an affordable lifestyle, outstanding recreational opportunities, internationally acclaimed restaurants, a healthy economy, and the best weather in the Atlantic provinces. The Town of Wolfville is one of the fastest-growing communities in Nova Scotia where people find the perfect mix of small-town livability and urban energy. It's a place that people love to live, and those who do not live here love to visit.

To see more information on why Acadia is an employer of choice, please visit our website at www.hr.acadiau.ca.

TO APPLY: We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage and welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous people, African Nova Scotians, persons with disabilities, racialized people, women, and persons of any minority sexuality, gender identity or gender expression and all intersections of these identities.

To apply for this opportunity, click on the "Apply Now" button and upload your cover letter and resume. Please be sure to indicate how you demonstrate a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in your application.

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The University reserves the right not to fill this position. A six-month eligibility list may be established from this competition to fill future vacancies for identical positions.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Acadia University is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from Indigenous people, African Nova Scotians, persons with disabilities, racialized people, women, and persons of any minority sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, and all intersections of these identities. Consistent with the principles of employment equity, the primary criterion for appointment to a position is qualifications and professional excellence. Candidates who identify as a member of one of the afore-mentioned groups, and who wish to have the application considered as such, are invited to submit the online Employment Equity Voluntary Self-Identification Form as part of their application package. The form includes the option to not self-identify, but candidates must submit the form with their applications.

The university will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodation because of a disability or for any other reason during the interview process, please contact [email protected].