Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Specialist

KidsAbility is an equal opportunity employer that is dedicated to over 65 years of proven community outreach and servicing of families across the Waterloo and Guelph Wellington Regions. With core values such as collaboration, respect, accountability, integrity, and inclusion, KidsAbility offers employees:
• Health and Dental benefits as well as access to Employee Assistance Programs that include wellness and support. Generous vacation and paid time off.
• Organizational transparency on mission, vision, and business plan
• Social Events and opportunities to give back to your community and connect with co-workers.
• A supportive and caring work environment with a strong focus on client service and supporting staff to meet our mission critical work.
• Support for professional development
We are looking for an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Specialist to support the Vice President People and Culture in developing and implementing EDIA initiatives and programs. You will be supporting the enhancement and improvement of the EDIA programs and initiatives already established and evolving our programs to meet the changing needs of our employees and organization in line with our Strategic Plan, mission, vision, and values. You will be a key point of contact with people across the organization, partnering to educate, guide and champion behaviors that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Reporting to the Vice President, People and Culture you will execute on and implement our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) framework and develop effective programs to drive KidsAbility’s commitment to our Strategic Plan.
Responsibilities:
• Develop a comprehensive system to review, monitor and track progress of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, and to identify obstacles for resolution.
• Collaborate across the organization to identify opportunities and measures to integrate EDIA and belonging initiatives in all staff, student, volunteer, and client-facing processes.
• Working with the EDI committee, cultivate and embed champions of EDIA across the organization and provide them with the support, encouragement, and expertise necessary to strengthen their commitment.
• Build strong and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholder groups. Be aware of market, community and association trends and programs in the Waterloo and Wellington Regions.
• Ensure Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance and provide informed guidance on accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Meet all AODA reporting requirements.
• Review organizational policies to ensure they reflect the principles of anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in compliance with human rights and accessibility related legislation and case law.
• Evaluate and support the organization with implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and framework.
• Be an active representative of the organization’s commitment to EDIA and belonging, both internally and externally, finding meaningful ways to promote the organization’s progress.
• Work closely with the communications team to develop internal and external EDIA communication material. Create a culture of EDIA learning and awareness by managing the EDIA Multicultural calendar, organizing and/or supporting EDIA events and partnering with Joint Leadership in providing learning opportunities to KidsAbility employees and volunteers.
• Identify resources, training opportunities and other events to promote and advance EDIA and belonging initiatives.
• Enhance the organization’s culture by collaborating with management to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and accessibility are integrated into and across all management processes.
Qualifications:
• Undergraduate degree in Public Administration, Diversity Studies, Equity Studies, Human Resources, Cultural Studies, Indigenous Studies, Black Studies, Social Psychology, or related field from a recognized university or an equivalent level of experience and education.
• 1 to 3 years of progressive experience in diversity and equity policy and process.
• Lived experience of encountering and addressing complex equity, diversity and human rights issues is strongly preferred.
• Sensitivity to and awareness of Indigenous, Black, racialized, gender, and disability-related issues and their intersection(s) with other identities including socio-economic status, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, etc.
• Experience with, and understanding of, applicable Canadian legislation such as: Human Rights, Employment Standards and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• Can effectively manage and cope with change, finding ways to advance work and projects.
• Demonstrated experience educating, coaching, advising, and consulting on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues and influencing individuals in a non-reporting relationship.
• Demonstrate superior judgement, tact and diplomacy required to address sensitive topics and effectively manage relationships.
• Experience in creating and facilitating training programs related to EDIA.
• Exceptional interpersonal, facilitation and mediation skills, with the ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including those in a unionized setting.
• Strong Microsoft Teams skills.
• Valid Class G driver’s license and access to reliable transportation required; liability insurance of $1 million.
We invite applications from those interested in this position to submit a letter of interest and resume by end of day May 1, 2023, to:

How to apply:

Via Agilec - jfruhner-travers@agilec.ca