Human Rights & Equity Advisor in Toronto, Canada
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is one of the largest school boards in Canada and the largest Catholic school board in the world. The TCDSB serves over eighty-thousand students in more than 170 elementary schools and 30 secondary schools throughout Toronto and has an annual operating budget of approximately $1.2 billion.
TCDSB’s Catholic education system produces high levels of student achievement and enables students to fulfill Ontario’s Catholic Graduate Expectations. Further, graduates are taught the virtues and values of the Catholic faith including community, responsibility, accountability, collaboration, caring and family.
The TCDSB is committed to fairly and objectively recruiting and selecting leaders and staff who are excellent role models, innovative, and committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced lawyer to join an established, highly regarded organization committed to the well-being of its staff, students, and the community it serves in a new role within a growing legal services team.
Job Description – Human Rights & Equity Advisor
TCDSB is seeking to add a Human Rights & Equity Advisor (HREA) to its team in Toronto. Reporting to and under the direction of the Director of Education, the Board’s Chief Executive Officer, the HREA supports the TCDSB’s work in advancing human rights, accessibility, equity, and inclusion. In this role, you will exercise sound judgment and remain impartial while managing internal and external stakeholders.
The right candidate must be unequivocally committed to fair processes in complaint handling and will respect fairness, be committed to due process and fair application of law and policy to facts.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
- Develop intake process and decision framework to support the resolution of human rights concerns and complaints through the intake process, using conciliation, facilitation, and alternative dispute resolution skills;
- Provide expert, confidential, and impartial consultation, issue resolution and guidance to all levels of TCDSB management, employees, and service recipients, related to human rights concerns and complaints as outlined in the Human Rights Code (discrimination, harassment, accessibility, and accommodations); equity and inclusion;
- Promote policies, practices and programs that are conducive to fostering and creating an environment that is equitable and inclusive, and one in which all persons are treated with dignity and respect and without discrimination or harassment contrary to the Human Rights Code
- Support the development of resources including to enhance the TCDSB’s commitment to human rights, equity, and inclusion and ensure awareness across the TCDSB
- Keep up-to-date on human rights trends, legislation and case law
Education and Professional Skills/Knowledge
- LL.B. or J.D. degree (or equivalent).
- Good standing with a Canadian Law Society.
- 5+ years of relevant legal experience.
- Experience working with a major unionized public or private sector organization is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in undertaking resolution of discrimination and harassment complaints, including through application of alternative dispute resolution processes, facilitation, and complaint processing.
- Knowledge and experience in applying relevant provisions of the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, human rights case law and related legislation.
- Experience in researching, developing and implementing equity, diversity, anti- racism, and human rights related projects and education.
- Exceptional communication skills with demonstrable experience in investigative report writing, crafting recommendations, memoranda, and facilitating and managing dialogue across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Highly developed presentation and human rights skills with the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to work independently exercising sound judgment while remaining impartial is critical.
- Proven and demonstrated ability to be a trusted advisor, who exercises sound judgement.
- Excellent analytical, mediation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
This is an exclusive search.
The Counsel Network, now part of Caldwell is committed to building a diverse legal community through our inclusive business and recruitment practices. We value diversity of experience, expertise, and background, and strive to eliminate barriers historically encountered by marginalized groups. We recognize that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce benefits and enriches both the legal profession and the greater community.
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
647.417.4720
OR
To apply for this position: caldwell.thriveapp.ly/job/1163
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