Equity, Diversity

**Title**: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer (ED & I Officer)
**Term**: One-Year Fixed Term Contract (Temporary)
**Hours**: Full Time
**Location**: 962 Bloor St West
**Supervisor**: Executive Director

**Sistering **is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed.** **Our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do. We operate on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model.

Our programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, on-site Medical Clinic, On the Path to Employment and Spun Studio social enterprise. During COVID our 24/7 Drop In runs as one of the City Respite Centres, providing essential services.

***:
Reporting to the Manager, HR & LR, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer (ED&I Officer) will be responsible for ensuring that the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are fully integrated Sistering’s policies and practices.

During this term of this contract, the ED&I Officer will assess Sistering’s existing policies, procedures, and practices through engagement with employees, volunteers, students and service users to identify areas for continuous improvement, recommending strategies and approaches for positive impact and, once authorized, for coordinating their respective implementation.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Policy and Procedure Review and Development:_
- Reviewing organizational policies to ensure they reflect the principles of anti-racism, equity and inclusion, and in compliance with human rights related legislation and case law
- Reviewing current procedures and practices, assessing and analyzing the extent to which they support or hinder the organization’s equity and inclusion goals, and identifying areas for improvement
- Recommending and creating policies and guidelines related to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility that take into account legislation, best practices and organizational needs; Working with relevant departments to implement recommendations
- Supporting the organization with development and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in HR functions, including recruitment, performance management, leadership development, employee engagement and retention
- Organization Change Management
- Conducting climate reviews and developing action plans to address negative workplace environments
- Developing and implementing a change management strategy that addresses the learning and capacity needs at all levels of the organization, and supports the information flow across the organization
- Creating professional development opportunities related to diversity and inclusion
- Leading, developing, planning and managing programs related to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Communication:_
- Designing, delivering and facilitating workshops, trainings, assessments, dialogues, and interventions with and for employees, staff and management with the goal of enhancing awareness of the experiences of historically marginalized populations.
- Facilitating dialogues and group conversations in which there is potential for conflict among participants, with an understanding of how identity, history, power, systematic discrimination and other barriers to equality impact the work environment
- Providing informed advice, support and recommendations concerning equity and inclusion to management and staff
- Conflict Resolution
- Facilitating resolution of workplace conflicts, gathering information as appropriate, and helping parties identify and understand issues and interests, explore options, and generate solutions
- Working collaboratively with relevant actors to facilitate informal resolution to employment related problems raised in workplace
- Offering creative and expert advice on dispute resolution procedures and technique
- It is expected that the ED&I Officer will contribute to the positive culture at Sistering and act with tact and discretion when engaging highly sensitive matters that affect employees.

**Other duties as assigned**

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
***_Mandatory:_
- University degree in a field related to human rights or diversity
- Experience with advancing diversity and inclusion, identifying systemic issues, eliminating barriers, fostering inclusive, safe work environments
Strong ability to participate comfortably in discussions on equity, diversity, inclusion using current discourse (e.g. anti-oppression, anti-Black racism and racism, feminism, disability studies, queer studies, etc.) while remaining open to new and challenging ideas
- Strong interest and/or grounding in dialogue and conflict resolution theory and practice
- Expert presentation, facilitation and design skills, including the ability to conduct diversity and inclusivity workshops, workplace training, and various education programs
- Other Qualifications:_
- Exceptional listener, with strong written