Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), located on the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation within the Wabanaki Confederacy, is committed to cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and safe campus environment. The Director of EDIHR plays a strategic leadership role in advancing this commitment by overseeing three core portfolios: Human Rights, Sexual Violence Prevention, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Reporting to the Vice-President, People and Culture, the Director collaborates across academic and administrative units to foster a culture of belonging, support the well-being of students, faculty, and staff and ensure legislative compliance. The role requires a demonstrated ability to build consensus and navigate complex institutional dynamics with diplomacy and tact.

What we offer: 

• Flexible work arrangements
• Comprehensive Health and Dental 
• Post Retirement Benefits  
• Tuition Waivers 
• Health and Wellness on Campus available to staff 
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Occasional evening/weekend work may be required

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements a university-wide EDIHR strategy aligned with UPEI’s strategic plan
• Serves as a resource to the University community on human rights matters, diversity and inclusivity, harassment and discrimination, and sexual violence response and undertakes risk assessment of high-risk human rights incidents
• Is knowledgeable and oversees human rights, discrimination, accommodation, sexual violence, personal harassment/conflict resolution functions
• Provides overflow case management support to the EDIHR team as required 
• Leads a trauma-informed, survivor-centered strategies for prevention and response 
• Serves as a neutral advisor to students, faculty, staff and administrators in relation to the processes available to complainants and respondents under the university’s harassment, discrimination, accommodation, and sexual violence policies
• Provides consultation and coaching to campus-wide administrative and academic units to ensure swift, coordinated and effective response to complaints of harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence 
• Support and advise senior administration and unit heads in implementing relevant harassment, discrimination, accommodation and sexual violence policies 
• Approves staff requests as well as advising/case management expenditure
• Directs educational programs developed by the EDIHR team to ensure the effective design and delivery learning initiatives related to anti-discrimination and inclusivity 
• Leads a data informed EDIHR practice that identifies gaps and tracks progress, presents annual trends and reports to senior leadership/Board
• In partnership with the Human Resources team, oversees the effective execution of the restorative Justice practice 
• Provides subject matter expertise on policy revisions, trauma-informed approaches, and procedural fairness, ensuring alignment of human rights policies with collective agreements, academic plan, and university-wide strategic commitments
• Participates in the development and review of new policies and procedures for the University to promote a diverse, respectful and inclusive working environment 
• Participates in and guides relevant advisory groups and committees 
• Demonstrates accountability through regular reporting on case management activities, while ensuring confidentiality of information
• Supervises, coaches and facilitates performance development for the EDIHR team 
• Provides input and support to the VPPC as requested, to advance strategic plans and priorities
• Build relationships with unions, external media, government ministries, etc.
• Networks and stays current on best practices in post-secondary human rights work

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• The successful candidate will have a graduate degree in a relevant field and will have progressive experience advancing EDI and human rights in a post-secondary setting
• The successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills with proven expertise in managing sensitive issues with discretion, integrity, and cultural humility
• This position requires someone with strategic and demonstrated leadership in change management and stakeholder engagement
• The idea candidate will have a minimum of 5 years leading a team in charge of human rights/sexual violence investigations and dispute resolution. The candidate has experience in anti-racism work (anti-Black racism, anti-Indigeneity, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism etc.)
• A candidate who brings lived experience and or subject matter expertise in EDI with a strong background in policy development and commitment to anti-oppression, anti-racism, and intersectional approaches will be preferred
• Familiarity with relevant PEI legislation will be desirable