Sr Consultant Human Rights Edhr in Toronto

Reporting to the Manager, Human Rights, the primary role of the Senior Consultant, Human Rights (EDHR) is to advance excellent human rights practices at the City of Toronto. In this highly independent role, you will provide expert advice and resolve complex employee and resident harassment and/or discrimination complaints. Additionally, you will support the development of effective policies, programs, education, and communications for the organization, resulting in positive systemic change. Your work will contribute to the organization’s commitment to enhancing human rights, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide consultation, interpretation, and direction on the City’s Human Rights policies and relevant legislation to City staff, elected officials, job applicants, residents, and facility users.
• Provide confidential, impartial expert advice, coaching, and various conflict resolution approaches to parties in dispute.
• Undertake complex and/or systemic employee and/or resident harassment and discrimination investigations, consistent with City policy, collective agreements, and legislated obligations.
• Mentor, coach, develop, and guide Consultants on issues and projects; coordinate the work of Consultants and administrative staff to ensure that objectives are met.
• Where required, testify before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and at arbitrations.
• Assess equity impacts of complaint outcomes, developing appropriate resources to address gaps.
• Support management in addressing human rights issues including accommodation requests and complaints.
• Actively promote a positive human rights culture undertaking human rights, equity and diversity research and analysis.
• Assess and report on emerging human rights case law and legislative changes.
• Develop and implement effective corporate human rights programs ensuring that access, equity, and diversity are embedded into policy, procedures, education, and communications.
• Review, advise on and ensure alignment of human rights programs, policies, procedures, education with the City's equity and inclusion principles.
• Initiate, build, and maintain relationships with internal partners to develop, facilitate and promote human rights, access, equity and diversity policies and programs.
• Maintain detailed reports of all investigations, inquiries, statistics, and confidential records.

Key Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a professional discipline pertinent to the job function, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Law degree (LLB or JD) would be considered an asset.
• Extensive human rights experience in a major unionized public or private sector organization.
• Extensive experience conducting complex investigations and major human rights interventions.
• Considerable experience leading, developing, implementing, and evaluating corporate human rights and equity related programs.
• Considerable experience facilitating complaint resolution through alternative dispute resolution.
• Knowledge and application of relevant provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code and other related legislation.
• Highly developed communication, presentation, and human relations skills.
• Strong analytical skills to assess the relevance of evidence and ability to exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to identify needs, initiate, coordinate, and manage the implementation of solutions in response to client issues.
• Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgement, remain impartial and work independently.
• Political acumen to address sensitive issues and work with all levels of employees, management, senior leadership, and council.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.