Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

<p><strong>About Us!</strong></p><p>The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:</p><ul><li>Taking only what we need</li><li>Leaving some for others</li><li>Keeping the dish clean</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Role</strong></p><p>Participates as a key member of the team that leads the Region’s initiative on Reconciliation, decolonization, equity, anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) with the community. The team also leads the development of a corporate-wide equity antiracism framework aimed at eliminating systemic racism in the delivery of programs and services to the public, and works towards ensuring everyone has equal access to opportunities and empowerment through an inclusive, decolonized, anti-racist service culture.</p><p><br></p><p>Takes a lead role in the development of a sustained process to identify, disrupt, and eliminate systemic barriers, inequities, and racism in regional programs and services by working alongside communities, organizations, and sectors.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Duties/Responsibilities</strong></p><ul><li>Provides advice and recommendations to management and staff on issues related to the needs and experiences of Indigenous, African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ as well as other groups that experience systemic barriers, from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework.</li><li>Engages and supports management and staff in the development and implementation of an ongoing process to identify and address systemic barriers and racism within the services they deliver to the community.</li><li>Supports the REDI team, management, and staff in collaboratively implementing and evaluation of a REDI organizational plan to foster a community and service culture of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.</li><li>Establishes and maintains strong, collaborative, trust-based relationships with community leaders, groups, and organizations serving Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other diverse communities to continue building opportunities to engage and partner.</li><li>Works with the REDI team, management, and staff on strategies to meaningfully engage members of the local community on a broad range of ongoing issues impacting access, equity, eliminating barriers, and creating opportunities.</li><li>Leads and/or supports ways to evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives designed to support Reconciliation, anti-racism, equity, and inclusion, using an approach/methodology that is meaningful to both the community and staff.</li><li>Is involved in confidential meetings with HR and senior management related to operational and business re-structuring as well as confidential issues that could result in staff discipline, terminations, or other labour relations impacts or staffing changes. As a trusted liaison with the community, provides information and corporate responses/actions, on issues, changes, and complaints impacting the community and as it relates to the Region’s work and commitment to REDI.</li><li>Collaborates with staff on the review and creation of municipal programs, partnerships, and grant/funding initiatives that would benefit community members and organizations led by Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other equity seeking groups.</li><li>Facilitates monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on strategic and operational equity initiatives including equity initiative funding.</li><li>Works with departmental equity advisors to support an equity/health equity approach within the existing work of regional departments, including understanding how programs are accessed, experienced, and outcomes are achieved for clients, based on disaggregated service trends and feedback from clients and community partners.</li><li>Stays current on how inequality is expressed by Indigenous, Black, racialized communities, and monitors local issues, trends, and outcomes over time.</li><li>Engages with external stakeholders regarding service trends and identifies program improvements based on feedback collected.</li><li>Supports the review of existing barriers within regional departments to understand how they intentionally and unintentionally impact staff, leaders, and the public.</li><li>Researches REDI evidence-informed, leading, and best practice to advise on staff engagement and training to better serve the community, eliminate barriers to programs and services, and make services more accessible, and to assess, change, and embed principles to better reflect and respond to communities served.</li><li>Advises on integrated approaches to addressing equity issues in program/service system delivery, considering identity-based data and community engagement.</li><li>Works on accountability mechanisms to ensure trends adversely impacting various communities are addressed through collaborative processes that build trust. Invites insight from external stakeholders and partners into issues, and developing shared, grassroots, community-informed solutions.</li><li>Liaises with corporate partners to ensure services are reflective of the community.</li><li>Writes and oversees the preparation of reports, presentations to Council, and communications to various internal and external stakeholders and partners.</li><li>Supervises students, volunteers, and casual staff supporting initiatives in the community. Assigns/coordinates work with other members of the team regarding projects and initiatives.</li><li>Backs up directors and acts as a delegate for same on committees and for projects, as required.</li><li>Performs related duties as required.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</strong></p><ul><li>Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a post-secondary degree in a relevant professional discipline (e.g., indigenous studies, sociology, social work, equity studies, human rights), or an equivalent combination of education and/or related experience that may include knowledge gained from Indigenous teachings, traditions, values, and learning from Elders, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and community members.</li><li>Brings a lived experience through personal understanding of the realities and concerns of priority communities and groups, such as Indigenous, African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, and/or member of the 2SLGBTQ+ or other under-represented community.</li><li>Demonstrated commitment and understanding of reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion.</li><li>Demonstrated understanding of historical and contemporary issues faced by the Indigenous communities in Canada, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, Calls for Justice, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.</li><li>Experience working in inter-sectoral linkages, community engagement, and advocacy.</li><li>Experience and skill in people-centred community development with diverse racialized, Black, and Indigenous communities focused on needs assessment, program planning, resource development, facilitation, and project management.</li><li>Experience and deep understanding of anti-oppression and how to apply this lens across settings and situations. Knowledge and skill using equitable approaches across systems. Ability to apply an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonization lens to identify best practice in municipal governance and community engagement.</li><li>Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and related legislation (e.g., Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, health and safety, and employment standards).</li><li>Knowledge and demonstrated positive outcomes/success using anti-oppression, anti-racism, and anti-discrimination approaches to effect institutional change, including policy, procedural, practical, and behavioural change within the framework of diversity and equity.</li><li>Knowledge and skill in project management, driving and achieving results, and organizing and prioritizing work, with a proactive approach to problem solving.</li><li>Ability to work in a fast-paced multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests.</li><li>Negotiation, facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills, with acumen in relationship-building and organizing, preparing, and delivering communications for diverse audiences. Ability to manage challenging conversations with stakeholders.</li><li>Knowledge and skill interacting with municipal, provincial, and federal agencies.</li><li>Demonstrated understanding of colonial frameworks, impacts of intersectionality, social determinants of health (SDOH), discrimination in communities and a strong commitment to equity, antiracism, collaboration, and advocacy for Reconciliation.</li><li>Awareness of contemporary and emerging trends in social justice locally, nationally, and internationally.</li><li>Ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision, and as an effective team member.</li><li>Problem solving and critical thinking skills, with ability to incorporate research and various information to support a comprehensive, informed response.</li><li>Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.</li><li>Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.</li><li>Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.</p><p><br></p><p>For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400</p>