Equity Specialist

Overview:
**Term: 1 year.**

Reporting to the Director of Equity, the Equity Specialist is a member of the Equity Office responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring equity initiatives. The Specialist provides campus members support and guidance on navigating University procedures. The Specialist manages initiatives in line with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism’s strategic plan; builds strong partnerships with students, staff and faculty; researches best practices to support developing and implementing initiatives to meet the needs of campus community members.

**Responsibilities**:
Strategic Development of Equity Initiatives
- Manages projects, information and logistics of project deliverables
- Implements and monitors equity related initiatives assigned by the Director of Equity
- Prepares communications for key stakeholders
- 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 assigned equity initiatives

Collaboration and Engagement
- Consults, advises, and guides campus members on equity and escalates sensitive issues to the Director of Equity as needed
- Collaborates with stakeholders to build equity capacity
- Liaises with departments and groups in the university community on equity related topics
- Builds relationships with student groups, staff and faculty, facilitates input on key equity initiatives
- Sits on campus committees where appropriate

Equity Response and Support
- Responds to individual disclosures of equity related concerns from staff and faculty (e.g. racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism) 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 marginalized campus members where appropriate
- Collaborates with internal support units and external organizations to meet needs of diverse members of the campus community
- Remains current with pertinent ethical requirements and research relevant to responding to equity concerns
- Engages in case management when required, particularly with cases presenting with more complex needs

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

Qualifications:

- Master’s degree or equivalent education and experience. Lived expertise and institutional/systemic knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
- Knowledge and expertise in disability justice and/or trans inclusion is an asset
- Experience working in a post-secondary environment is an asset
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral for the preparation of reports and making presentations
- Good 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

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.