Manager, Equity and Inclusion

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of 24-7 services to more than 300 young people each day. 

As a national leader, we educate and advocate for long-term change to improve the lives of vulnerable youth. This includes influencing public policy, leading awareness and prevention programs and continually building and sharing our knowledge. As a learning organization, we strive for excellence and programs with impact.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer housing options, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

Thanks to our donors, who contribute almost 80 per cent of our $33-million annual operating budget, we are able to deliver these comprehensive programs and services.

Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview:

As the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, you will collaborate with organizational stakeholders to develop and hone a strategy for the development and execution of related ED & I programs to drive required culture, behavioral and systemic changes in the organization. You are a skilled facilitator who can bring people to the table and create a safe space for open, insightful dialogue that propels our diversity, inclusion and equity work forward.

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager is responsible for creating and implementing tools to report on outcomes related to diversity and inclusion priorities at Covenant House. In this new role, you will review, recommend and support implementation of changes to internal HR processes that promote diversity and inclusion for all employees and in key focus areas such as stakeholder engagement, talent management, recruitment and employee relations. Your expertise in diversity and inclusion with a focus on Anti-Black racism coupled with a strong knowledge of employment equity principles will assist CHT in realizing its existing diversity and inclusion initiatives as well as introducing new ideas for future strategies.

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager will partner with the Equity Advocate to develop, review and implement initiatives, develop communications, monitor and report on progress to all stakeholders. The incumbent will foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders, provide guidance and expertise in promoting a positive working and learning culture that values diversity and fosters equity, fairness, respect, cross- cultural understanding and inclusion. This role will have a reporting relationship to the Associate Director, Human Resources and Volunteering and part of the Human Resources Team.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of the CHT’s inclusion and diversity strategy and associated action plans, including resources, tools and actions to advance diversity related goals within the Agency’s strategic plan
• Facilitate integration of inclusion and diversity practices into all existing practices including recruiting, hiring, learning and development, employee relation and succession planning strategies.
• Advise on the internal communication strategy in relation to inclusion and diversity
• Participate in the internal inclusion and diversity committee, attend meetings and events as appropriate.
• Build external relationships with key organizations and participate in external diversity conferences as appropriate.
• Be a subject matter expert on Human Rights and the intersections with Human Resources activities
• Recommend, develop and delivery necessary training as part of an annual organization wide training strategy in collaboration with the Equity Advocate
• Recognize and recommend solutions to diversity needs and issues with appropriate solutions.
• Design and implement ED & I metrics, monitoring and reporting systems, and identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Identify the need for, develop and implement policies and guidelines that will bring best practices into the Agency.
• Conduct audits of related policies, programs, procedures and processes to identify systemic bias, and/or other potential areas of focus
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, Human Resources, respond and investigate bias related incidents, and make strategic and proactive recommendations based on outcomes.
• In partnership with the CHT Committees, spearhead efforts to celebrate and promote identity, heritage, and cultural awareness.
• Lead compliance/implementation on AODA requirements.
• Coordinate corporate-driven requirements for AODA required training, AODA required policy. development, AODA compliance monitoring and statutory reporting to the Ontario Accessibility Directorate.

Qualification, Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion roles with increasing scope and responsibilities for developing and leading diversity strategies.
• University degree required or equivalent, advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leadership, project and change management and policy / program development within a Human Resources Department
• Excellent time management skills to handle competing deadlines and priorities with high attention to detail.
• Involvement in innovation and professional development related to Anti-Black racism and leadership.
• Ability to assess barriers to access and inclusion within policies, procedures and understand rights and responsibilities in reference to relevant policies and legislation (e.g. CHT policies, AODA, Human Rights Code).
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, including demonstrated ability to interact, lead and participate in consultative decision making that respects people with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and styles, while working collegially with a high degree of tact and diplomacy.
• Experience with conflict resolution, mediation and conduction investigations in a human resources department
• Advanced communication skills, interpersonal, virtual and in person group facilitation and coordination, workshop creation and delivery.
• Advanced writing and presentation skills.

Interested candidates should submit their resume along with a cover letter (please include cover letter in same document as resume). 

We thank all applicants however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.