Project Officer, Scarborough Charter Initiatives

On November 18, 2021, OCAD University joined more than 40 Canadian universities and colleges to sign the historic Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, which outlines a national plan of action to fight anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion. The University’s current Academic Plan commits to implementing concrete, meaningful action to address anti-Black racism and promote Black flourishing and inclusive excellence as articulated in the Scarborough Charter.

Reporting to the Director of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives, the Project Officer, Scarborough Charter Initiatives provides professional project management and analytical expertise in support of all phases of Scarborough Charter related projects, including coordination, implementation, evaluation and communication consistent with the organizational goals of the University’s Strategic Plan and guiding principles of the Scarborough Charter.

Working closely with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI) the Project Officer, (Scarborough Charter) collaborates with the faculty Co-Chairs, the steering committee, ODESI, and departments across the University, as well as with external community members - to coordinate all project related items. This includes ensuring action items, deliverables and timelines are met, changes are properly documented and approved, and reports are submitted in a timely manner.

**Summary of Responsibilities**:

- Project Coordination_
- Assist Co-Chairs with developing project plans and associated communications documents using appropriate tools (timeline with critical path, communications plan, deliverables checklist, etc.)
- Ensure the project deliverables are on time and at the required level of quality, including managing and monitoring project schedules, resources, budget, scope, and changes
- Monitor the day-to-day progress of projects using forms and files to document and track project progress and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project
- Plan and support regular project team meetings; ensure goals and objectives are on track and being met; drafts and submits budget proposals; recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary; monitors project budgets to ensure they remain within scope; proactively, tracks and prepares regular project financial status reports
- Investigates defined issues, solicits input, suggests remedies, and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure contract terms and conditions and schedules are being met as negotiated; includes dealing with project scope changes and modifications as required
- Coordinate and participate in meetings with and prepare regular update reports for the Director, Scarborough Charter Co-Chairs and full team, taking minutes, and documenting and compiling notes as required.
- Schedules & Resources_
- Initiate and coordinate all project meetings, including scheduling, communication, agenda-setting, assisting with the preparation of presentations and meeting materials, and identifying and tracking the status of action items
- Establish work schedules and coordinate resource availability based on assigned tasks for members of the Scarborough Charter Committee and sub-groups as documented in the project schedule
- Communications_
- Community engagement and knowledge dissemination events
- Development and updates to a Scarborough Charter website
- Research_
- Assist in conducting research into best-efforts-based, individual institutional action plans (including engagement plans and communications strategies) to redress anti-Black racism in place at other Canadian institutions that are signatories to the Scarborough Charter
- Research and build connections with relevant community organizations in support of the Scarborough Charter requirement to build robust community partnerships with Black-led organizations.
- Documentation & Reporting_
- Assist Co-Chairs with developing and implementing a project evaluation and monitoring plan; compile and organize all project data to ensure it is catalogued and stored appropriately, and prepare regular progress and status evaluation reports
- Review the quality of completed project work to ensure that it meets the Project’s goals
- Participate in all relevant meetings and prepare or support preparation of agendas, minutes, regular update reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations.
- Draft and submit budget proposals and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary; monitor project budgets to ensure they remain within scope; proactively track and prepare regular project financial status reports
- Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately, mindful of confidentiality requirements
- Prepare project reporting documents for reporting to the OCAD U community, University