his Provincial HREA(s) would be neutral advisor(s), who provide impartial guidance about human rights issues. The HREA(s) would act in the interest of advancing human rights across school boards and work with individual Directors of Education, senior staff and/or their boards. They would not act as legal counsel nor would they provide legal advice.
Candidate Competencies and Skills
- A senior leader(s) with the following minimum qualifications and experience, in addition to other skills identified:
- Superior work-related expertise in applying human rights law and analyzing issues using the Human Rights Code and relevant policies to prevent and address discrimination and harassment, preferably with a school board(s);
- Superior understanding of human rights legislation and other relevant legislation (including the Ontario Human Rights Code, Education Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) and emerging trends and issues;
- Demonstrated experience providing advice and expertise on human rights-related strategic decision-making to senior leaders in large public or private-sector institutions;
- Demonstrated experience handling highly contentious issues with sensitivity, good judgment, and discretion, to build confidence in Boards’ commitments to human rights, equity, and anti-oppression;
- Extensive experience in developing and/or delivering human rights professional learning and training. Superior relationship-building skills, judgment, sensitivity, and an inclusive approach to building consensus and solving problems;
- Excellent managerial and project management skills with respect to planning, communication, decision-making, problem-solving;
- Management and professional experience at a senior level managing complex and/or high-profile projects;
- Understanding of the diversity and complexity of Ontario’s publicly funded school systems (English public, English Catholic, French public, French Catholic); Fluency in French is required at least for one consultant;
- Excellent relationship-building and team-building skills are essential; ability to work independently;
- Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in human rights investigations and/or complaint resolution in an environment of public scrutiny and complexity;
- Post-secondary degree in a relevant field (e.g. Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Administration, Human Resources); and
- Additional formal training and/or certification in mediation, dispute resolution, and facilitation is an asset.
The Provincial HREA(s) would carry out the following activities as they relate to building a culture of respect for human rights across the education sector:
- Work with Directors of Education at select Ontario school boards and the CODE executive to identify and respond to human rights and equity-related risks and emerging issues.
- Provide education and information on human rights issues across school boards, including providing human rights compliance training to Directors of Education and senior staff.
- Provide guidance to Directors of Education on their strategic goals of fostering cultures free of harassment and discrimination.
- Plan, organize, arrange, and/or deliver training to superintendents, school administrators, managers, other senior-level staff and Directors of Education as needed, on setting up and administering human rights complaints procedures and methods of complaint resolution.
- Provide guidance to Directors of Education on aspects of human rights in organizational change, such as: human rights and leadership; designing inclusively and conducting barrier review and removal; developing equity-focused policies, procedures, and other initiatives; liaising with community members and organizations; collecting data on human rights and equity issues; and communicating publicly about human rights issues.
- Gather information and trend data related to emerging human rights concerns at school boards and work with the CODE executive to plan any CODE-based sector-wide training, education, policies, or programs to address the human rights needs of school boards.
- Review and provide feedback on internal investigation reports.
- Provide guidance to Directors of Education and other senior leaders at school boards:
- School board-funded Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisors or others doing human rights work comparable to ministry-funded Human Rights and Equity Advisors at school boards that do not have an HREA.
Please submit a letter of application and resume which includes three professional references to: Laura Elliott, Executive Director, Council of Ontario Directors of Education no later than September 6, 2024.
Questions of clarification may be directed to Laura Elliott, Executive Director, CODE at [email protected].
About CODE
CODE, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1990, provides Directors of Education with a common voice, as it works with the Ministry of Education to advise and strategize on issues of program and operations, affecting the delivery of public education in Ontario.
CODE represents the following Affiliate members:
- CODEC – Conseil ontarien des directions de l’éducation catholique
- CODEP – Conseil ontarien des directions de l’éducation publique
- ECCODE – English Catholic Council of Directors of Education
- PCODE – Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education
Mission: To lead, influence and build coherence in Ontario’s publicly-funded education system.
Vision: The Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) listens to and represents the voices and perspectives of Ontario’s 74 school districts. As leaders in education, we implement and influence education policies and priorities, and enhance public confidence in publicly funded schools. Together, we help create the best possible learning conditions for students and working conditions for staff to reach high levels of achievement and personal well-being.
Strategic Priorities & Actions
- Advocacy: Advocate for continuous improvement in student achievement and well-being through collaborative decision-making with stakeholders and for appropriate funding to maintain the high-quality staff and programs necessary for increased student success.
- Leadership: Enhance members’ leadership through networking, mentorship, professional dialogue, and professional learning.
- Equity & Inclusion: Advance equity and inclusion in school districts to enable change in society.
For further information on CODE, please visit: https://www.ontariodirectors.ca.