Equity Specialist Anti-racism

Unity Health Toronto’s vision is to create the best care experiences created together. Health equity is fundamental to our vision. By prioritizing health equity, we strive to build a world where everyone can reach their full health potential.

This role is part of a growing team within the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability (ARESA) that advises and partners across the organization to strategically support Unity Health in its efforts towards equity for those who work and learn here and equity for the patients and communities we serve. Each member of the team acts as a role model and champion to identify and integrate safe, best practices into daily activities to foster the delivery of safe and exemplary care. The team currently includes the Director, Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability, 2 Equity Specialists, and an Evaluation and Equity Data Specialist.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- In conjunction with the Director, Anti-Racism, Equity & Social Accountability, meets with leaders across Unity Health Toronto, the Council for Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability (CARESA) and with community partners and patient advisory groups, to support implementation of a broad vision for anti-racism, equity and social accountability for Unity Health Toronto;
- Leads and partners on strategic initiatives that transform the hospitals culture to one of anti-racism, equity, inclusion, anti-oppression, and de-colonization.
- Builds relationships that recognize the rights and experiences of employees, patients and community members who are in groups impacted by racism and inequities to ensure that Unity Health meaningfully engages with and is responsive to the identified needs and calls to action;
- Collaborates with the Director, ARESA to identify the need for, develop and implement policies and guidelines on matters related to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion that will bring best practices into the organization as well as ensure compliance with legislation such as Ontario Human Rights Code and Ontario Disabilities Act;
- Participates in the development of scorecards, dashboards, and other monitoring tools to assess and evaluate progress towards network and departmental strategic goals.
- Provides consultative, strategic and administrative support to Unity Health’s affinity groups.
- Works with the Director, ARESA all levels of leadership, CARESA and affinity groups within the organization to lead and support the creation, implementation, coordination and evaluation of events related to Unity Health’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression.
- Responds to internal inquiries and requests around issues of equity; and offers recommendations on best practice and course of action based on program knowledge.
- Conducts research and environmental scans to inform deliverables and strategy.
- Work closely with local partners to support efforts to address the broader determinants of community health such as housing, employment, harm reduction supports, etc., in particular to draw the connections between these efforts and health outcomes, and the need for health care.
- In conjunction with the Director, ARESA, works with management and other key stakeholders to understand the learning, and development needs of the organization as it relates to ARESA, EDI, anti-oppression, accessibility and human rights, and supports the organization through the development of targeted initiatives;
- Uses project management principles and tools to ensure success of projects and initiatives
- Establish measurement targets to monitor and asses the effectiveness of engagement initiatives, including but not limited to web analytics, event attendance, surveys, etc., and utilize results to implement changes for future events;
- Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

- A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience developing and successfully implementing anti-racism, equity, inclusion and social accountability programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s degree required in a preferred area of study (including equity studies, social justice, social sciences, behavioural sciences, social work, public health administration, business administration, healthcare or other equivalent field);- Experience working in a hospital and/or healthcare sector is an asset- Demonstrated understanding of the health sector, including OHTs, primary care, acute care, home care, long-term care, and community support services strongly preferred
- Experience in quality improvement, care delivery, or clinical operations an asset- Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing health equity and EDI strategies in service delivery and/or at a population health level-
- Experience developing evaluation tools to measure and monitor the effectiveness of programs and initiatives- Demonstrated experience in change management and supporti