Associate Director, Equity

Overview

The Associate Director, Equity (ADE) supports the Director of Equity in their strategic vision and leadership, particularly as it pertains to trans and gender equity on campus.

The ADE is responsible for developing strategies that create equitable spaces for campus community members of all gender identities and expressions to work, study and thrive.

The ADE is responsible for the leadership and management of key institutional projects.

Responsibilities

Strategic Initiatives, Project Planning, and Implementation

• Develops the University’s Trans and Gender Equity Strategy in partnership and collaboration with key stakeholders, Faculties and Academic Support Units
• Co-creates and leads initiatives related to trans and gender equity and other Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) protected grounds through meaningful consultation, application of the OHRC, extensive intersectional equity knowledge and an understanding of the University of Waterloo post-secondary context
• Collaborates with and advises Faculties and Academic Support Units on the development and implementation of trans and gender equity goals in their strategic and operational plans
• Supports the implementation of the Equity Unit’s goals under EDI-R’s broader strategic plan
• Employs project management approaches to manage work, information and logistics of project deliverables
• Maintains a strong understanding of current research, best practices, and legal and legislative frameworks related to trans and gender equity

Capacity Building and Support

• Responds to individual disclosures of discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and expression through informal support and referrals
• Liaises with the Education and Outreach Unit to create and maintain a comprehensive trans and gender equity training strategy for the campus
• Supports the delivery of responsive education and training related to gender identity and expression including those involved in responding to and addressing individual experiences of harm

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Actively builds relationships with trans and queer students, faculty and staff and proactively creates opportunities for them to bring their needs to the attention of administration.
• Provides subject matter expertise on complex trans and gender equity issues.
• Provides trans and gender equity expertise on campus committees and working groups
• Creates and chairs committees related to trans and gender equity as needed

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a post-secondary university degree, in an academic discipline related to the role (., Social Work, Gender Studies, Counselling Psychology, Community Psychology etc)
• A Master’s degree is required
• Significant knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racism.
• Significant experience leading and implementing equity initiatives at a large, decentralized, and complex university or institution
• Demonstrated knowledge of trans and gender equity issues
• Experience effecting organizational change, including policy, procedural, practical and behavioural change
• 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 underrepresented groups, specifically trans and queer communities
• Experience in developing equity related education, policies, and programming

Demonstrated strong understanding of trans and gender equity, intersectionality, Anti-racism, decolonization, inclusion, anti-oppression, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities 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

The ability to develop and execute training on equity-focused issues, including compliance matters

Advanced experience with Microsoft Office programs, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and / or other data content management systems, quantitative and qualitative research design and methodologies