Human Rights Advisor

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

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We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Applicant Guidance & Information

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Disclaimer: As part of the application process at Queen's University, our recruitment system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, to ask job-related questions and confirm eligibility for hire. All final hiring decisions are made using non-AI related processes.

Job Summary

The Human Rights Advisor (“Advisor”) is a key role within Human Rights Advisory Services. Reporting to the Director (Human Rights and Equity), the Human Rights Advisor will provide confidential and impartial advisory services, including referrals to other services on and off campus. The Advisor will develop and implement pro-active educational strategies, with respect to a full spectrum of human rights issues. i The Advisor plays an important role in fostering positive relationships with communities and organizations both within Queen’s and externally. The Advisor is responsible for the promotion of, and the fostering of a sense of responsibility for inclusivity among members of the University community and will play a leading role in the development and delivery of educational tools to increase awareness of inclusion and diversity strategies, initiatives and resources.

Due to the nature of this role, the Human Rights Advisor is expected to be on campus at least three times per week. The schedule for this position may require the incumbent to work some evenings and weekends.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Human Rights Advisory Services
• Pursuant to Queen’s Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy, provide advice with respect to allegations of discrimination/harassment on Ontario Human Rights Code enumerated grounds.
• Provide support and information on options available to community members with individual or systemic concerns regarding harassment and discrimination.
• Facilitate resolution of cases brought to the Human Rights and Equity Office as appropriate.
• Provide guidance/support to members of the Queen’s University community on the appropriate policies to address harassment and discrimination.
• Make appropriate referral to campus and community resources for individuals or groups/units seeking support/avenues of resolution.
• Provide follow-up to ensure relevant services have been effectively engaged/given consideration following disclosures of harassment and discrimination.
• Support the development of respectful, supportive, survivor-centred responses to disclosures of harassment and discrimination that are legally compliant.
• Provide guidance/support to students and campus partners on academic accommodations matters.
• Provide guidance/support to employees and campus partners on workplace accommodation matters.
• Ensure current institutional practices are in line with current research and recent developments in provincial and federal human rights frameworks.
• Compile and report statistical information regarding systemic and individual incidents.
• Maintain records management and adherence to the HREO destruction schedule.

Education and Outreach
• Develop and deliver training and awareness programming individually or in collaboration with partners, based on sound analysis of the needs of the institution and individual units.
• Coordinate the Human Rights Legislation Group (HRLG) meetings at Queen’s. This work includes researching relevant human rights case law, preparing briefing notes and presentation for facilitators, as well as coordinating potential guest speakers.

Campus Partners
• Develop familiarity and positive working relationships with constituents involved in the ongoing coordination of anti-discrimination/harassment strategies including student leaders, the Division of Student Affairs, Campus Security, Human Resources, Office of the University Ombudsperson, Office of Complaints and Investigations, and Legal Counsel.
• Provide expertise, support and resources to units seeking to develop intersectional approaches to the design/delivery of various initiatives including student/faculty/staff training, curriculum development, policy development, etc.
• Monitor the status of reports related to inclusion at Queen’s, and make recommendations to university leadership on the actions needed in order to ensure the institutional commitment to inclusion is met.
• May be delegated to sit on senior committees to provide support as the subject matter expert.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• A graduate degree in a relevant field, such as Education, Social Work, Policy Studies, Critical Race Studies or Law; with demonstrated knowledge of anti-oppression frameworks within the relevant discipline.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in an area relevant to the position, including a minimum of two years’ experience leading complex project and policy initiatives within a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience in advising, conflict resolution, mediation or facilitation.
• Proven ability to work effectively and independently within a culturally diverse environment.
• Demonstrated experience in adult education and the development/delivery of training, preferably within postsecondary or other complex multi-partnership environments.
• Demonstrated experience using intersectional frameworks in human rights related areas.
• Knowledge of the principles of due process and administrative fairness.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, including Human Rights legislation, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its regulations.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Ability to remain calm in emotionally charged situations, while providing sensitive, practical and balanced advice.
• Ability to maintain a legally sound approach to individual and systemic manifestations of harassment and discrimination in a survivor-centered system.
• Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality.
• Excellent educational development skills with respect to a full spectrum of human rights issues.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with multiple community partners to balance multiple interests and within a team context.
• Sound research and analytical skills.
• Excellent writing skills with a proven ability to deliver reports to inform various sectors of the community; experience in policy development.
• Demonstrated planning and project management skills and ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency in IT software applications, including work processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software.
• Strong communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in dealing with difficult and confrontational situations.

DECISION MAKING:
• Determine whether issues have wider systemic causes and implications in order to develop effective recommendations for addressing these.
• Evaluate concerns and make decisions with respect to the most appropriate interventions.
• Make decisions regarding when to refer and to whom, both within and outside the university community.
• Make decisions with respect to the degree of risk to the client or to others in the university that a situation may pose.
• Distinguish between circumstances in which decisions can be made independently and those where consultation is warranted.
• Determine content of material for awareness training.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.