Job Description

Overview:
Reporting to the Director of Anti-Racism, the Anti-Racism Specialist is a member of the Anti-Racism Unit (ARU) responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring anti-racism initiatives. The Specialist provides campus members support and guidance on navigating University procedures. The Specialist manages initiatives in line with the institutional anti-racism plan; builds strong partnerships with students, staff and faculty; researches best practices to support the developing and implementing initiatives including learning and development to meet the needs of campus community members. The Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day activities with respect to program delivery in the Anti-Racism Unit. Responsibilities:
Strategic Development of Anti-Racism Initiatives

• Manages projects, information and logistics of project deliverables
• Supports the Director of Anti-Racism and the Associate Directors of Anti-Racism with the planning, implementation, delivery and monitoring of anti-racism related initiatives
• Plans and implements assigned initiatives, prepares communications
• Organizes meetings, prepares minutes and documents progress and challenges
• Updates the Director of Anti-Racism and the Associate Directors of Anti-Racism on initiatives and prepares reports to track progress
• Maintains detailed documentation according to program requirements
• Evaluates initiatives and prepares reports to track progress
• Prepares necessary resources and tools, based on relevant legislation and best practices, to support the successful implementation of anti-racism initiatives

Engagement and Outreach

• Consults, advises, and guides campus members on anti-racism and escalates sensitive issues to the Director of Anti-Racism as needed
• Liaises with departments and groups in the university community on anti-racism related topics
• Builds relationships with student groups, staff and faculty, facilitates input on key anti-racism initiatives
• Sits on campus committees where appropriate

Anti-Racism Response and Support

• Supports the response to individual disclosures of racism related concerns from staff and faculty by providing support and referrals based on individual needs
• Utilizes anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approaches to support campus stakeholders who often present in distress
• Maintains an understanding of the legal and reporting requirements in order to provide accurate advice, support and resources
• Advocates on behalf of racialized campus members where appropriate
• Collaborates with internal support units and external organizations to meet needs of racialized members of the campus community
• Remains current with pertinent ethical requirements and research relevant to responding to intersectional racism related y concerns
• Engages in case management when required, particularly with cases presenting with more complex needs
• Provides secondary support to the Associate Directors (Program & Policy and Racism Reporting) when needed

Research and Analysis

• Works with the Directors to identify racism issues and conducts related research (e.g. literature reviews, needs assessments, data collection and analysis)
• Prepares research reports on anti-racism matters
• Prepares communication materials pertaining to strategic priorities
• Consults with students, staff and faculty to prepare educational resource materials

Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent education and experience. Lived expertise and institutional/systemic knowledge of anti-racism and critical race theory required
• Demonstrated experience successfully implementing anti-racism initiatives; project management experience; demonstrated understanding of human rights, intersectional anti-racism issues and anti-oppressive frameworks, and demonstrated ability to apply them to an institutional setting; ability to interpret and communicate human rights and anti-racism concepts; proven ability to align work priorities and realize strategic goals. Knowledge and expertise in Black feminist theory/thought
• Demonstrated knowledge the concepts of anti-racism, critical race theory, transformative justice, equity, human rights, de-colonization and anti-oppressive frameworks. Working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Anti-Racism Act, and other relevant legislation
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral for the preparation of reports and making presentations
• Excellent facilitation skills to lead groups to productive outcomes
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work on confidential and sensitive matters with tact and discretion
• Ability to manage challenging conversations with stakeholders
• Ability to work well independently or in a team setting, with diverse individuals
• There may be unusual hours or schedules

Vaccination Requirement Statement:
Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.

The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/

Failure to comply with the Vaccination Requirement if it is reinstated, including failure to comply with any future amendments to the Vaccination Requirement, or failure to comply with new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University, including those related to new mandatory employee vaccination, shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.

The requirement to be vaccinated, if reinstated, will be subject to the duty to accommodate pursuant to the Human Rights Code. If you are unable to be vaccinated for reasons related to a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written request for accommodation with an explanation of the reasons and/or any supporting documentation. If you request accommodation, the University may follow up with you for further information if necessary. Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.