Title: Manager, Human Rights

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Enterprise Supports, the Manager, Human Rights oversees the Human Rights unit which includes developing and implementing policies and procedures for preventing and addressing workplace harassment, discrimination, workplace violence prevention, and the AODA complaint processes. This position is responsible for overseeing the workplace investigations process and ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and guidelines including the Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), workplace violence and harassment provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other relevant legislation.

Work Performed:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic projects and initiatives for the Human Rights unit to achieve Council’s Strategic Plan.
• Accountable for the effective delivery and business responsibilities of the unit.
• Provide leadership for the planning, management, and administration for the Human Rights unit; recommend, develop implement, and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures and protocols that inform and support City services.
• Provide professional opinion, advice, consultation, and support to inform the Senior Leadership Team on priorities with responsibility to operationalize identified goals and strategies.
• Oversee a team of employees including a team of Workplace Investigators and Coordinators. Provide leadership in the execution and delivery of services and programs in the following areas of accountability:
• • Provide oversight of the workplace investigation process under the Respectful Workplace Policy, Code of Ethics, and Workplace Violence Prevention policies including reviewing complaints, assigning work, making recommendations for external investigations, assisting with investigations and the peer review process and presenting the overall findings with outcomes to the committee.
  • Implement measures to ensure investigations are confidential, trauma-informed and comply with legal requirements and best practices.

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• • Partner with People Services and ARAO Division to create strategies for workplace restoration and culture assessments to promote a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace.
  • Partner with People Services and ARAO Division to implement dispute resolution measures such as facilitated discussions, mediation, coaching, and sensitivity training.
  • Partner with People Services and ARAO Division to develop programs related to respect in the workplace, conflict resolution and other relevant areas, establish training cycles, and develop ongoing internal communications about policies, programs and procedures.
  • Oversee drafting and maintenance of corporate policies and procedures related to human rights.
  • Monitor relevant legislative changes and identify impact on policies and processes. Recommend related changes to the Deputy City Manager, Enterprise Supports.
  • Represent the Human Rights unit on various strategic committees.
• Manage the Human Rights unit including hiring, coaching, administration, training and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.
• Liaise with unions on issues that affect bargaining unit employees. Promote and foster working relationships with employees and bargaining units and ensure consistent application of the collective agreements as required.

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• Liaise with People Services to fairly and consistently administer provisions of various collective agreements to promote resolution of grievances. May be required to provide representation at mediation and arbitration proceedings.
• Work enterprise-wide with Legal Services, Employee and Labour Relations, the Ombudsperson, Occupational Health and Safety and Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression to understand trends, modify policies while cultivating strong relationships, and communicating diplomatically and professionally with individuals at all levels.
• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment.
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; and actively promote a culture of physical and psychological safety with direct reports.
• Prepare reports for Council and various Committees as required.
• Identify, adapt and implement innovative, effective and efficient work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities of the unit.
• Build capacity among employees for evidence-informed decisions supported through data collection and analytics.

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• Contribute to the identification and development of internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored and reported on within the Human Rights unit.
• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.
• Provide input to the development of the annual operating budget for Enterprise Supports.
• Manage the budget for the Human Rights unit, prepare associated documents (i.e., business plans, business cases and presentation documents) as required. Manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources.
• Represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.
• Represent the City of London and Service Area in legal proceedings as required.
• Prepare responses to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Deputy City Manager of the Service Area.
• Represent Human Rights unit on the various boards and committees of external organizations, associations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Completion of a university degree in law, human rights, human resource management or a related discipline or equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting workplace investigations, including workplace harassment and bullying, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, racial and systemic discrimination, and other complex investigations.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a team.
• Certified Human Resource Leader designation is an asset.
• Experience working in a multi-union environment, preferably within municipal government or other public sector environments.
• Specialized training in dispute resolution, workplace investigations and trauma-informed practices is an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of relevant legislation as well as diversity, equity, human rights, and anti-racism theory and practices with an in-depth understanding of the area’s programs and services and how the work of the area aligns with the objectives of the area.
• Highly developed analytical financial and business planning skills with a proven track record for effectively implementing and monitoring programs, budgets and services.
• Demonstrated successful experience in a people leadership role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a group of employees, contracted services, and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.
• Ability to perform duties in a trauma-informed, sensitive, and diplomatic manner.
• Demonstrated ability to be empathetic and impartial.
• Demonstrated understanding of the psychology of human behaviour.

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• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrated perseverance and resilience in addressing challenges and emergent issues.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills including interpersonal, interviewing and listening skills.
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the area’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Ability to skillfully communicate to a wide and varied audience and effectively influence outcomes; political acumen to identify and manage issues.
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively within all levels of the corporation.
• Focused analytical and strategic thinking. Issue resolution skills problem solving, combined with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

Compensation & Other Information:

$111,583 to $146,396

This posting is for one (1) permanent, full-time position.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.