The Ontario Public Service (OPS) has a duty to bring about change and ensure our systems are fair, equitable, and that opportunities are accessible for Ontarians from underrepresented groups.
We have committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable, anti-racist and accessible workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. The OPS has established a new and permanent Black Equity Branch within the Centre for People, Culture and Talent to champion the elimination of anti-Black racism in the OPS. The team will work closely with key partners, including the Black Ontario Public Service (BOPSers) Employees Network, as well as ministry and corporate partners.
To achieve our commitment, we need your talent and passion! For an organization to be equitable, it must actively build fairness and accessibility into everyday functions and long-term enterprise-wide initiatives.
*Please note: The headquarters for these positions is at 315 Front Street in Toronto. Options for flexible work and telework arrangements are available.
This is an opportunity to be part of establishing a positive, supportive, and collaborative culture where, together, we will build a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive and accessible OPS for Black employees and leaders. Bring your lived experiences as a Black leader and help us achieve our commitment towards establishing fairness, accessibility, and equity across the OPS. We are looking for individuals dedicated to equity with a strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by Black employees and leaders. You can effect real change by leading responsibilities related to anti-Black racism, including addressing disparities related to recruitment, career development, advancement, leadership diversification and retention for Black employees working in the OPS.
The Branch will:
1. Provide visible Black executive leadership.
2. Offer a career pathway for Black employees.
3. Attract strong Black talent to the OPS in all areas and at all stages along the career trajectory.
How we will support you : You will be supported with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones in your career, as you share your knowledge with us and help to make the OPS a better place to work for Black people. From in-depth on-boarding programs to training and coaching, including director led mentoring, we will help you gain valuable experience to broaden your skillsets and develop your OPS career.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
About the job
Reporting to the Director of the Black Equity Branch, you will:
• Coach, mentor and manage a team of experienced policy professionals, while supporting and promoting an engaged, culturally responsive, and inclusive work environment.
• Lead and contribute to enterprise wide initiatives to foster a culture of equity and excellence, building an accessible and inclusive OPS for Black employees and leaders.
• Lead the strategic review of the Anti-Racism Policy, bringing a lens of anti-Black racism and equity.
• Lead a team in the development of an anti-Black racism strategy for the Ontario Public Service.
• Share anti-Black racism expertise and advice with internal partners to advance inclusion, equity, and anti-Black racism focused programs and initiatives.
• Plan, develop and launch anti-racism training for OPS staff and leaders.
• Maintain meaningful partnerships across the OPS and ongoing engagement with the Black community.
What you bring to the team
Strategic Leadership
• You demonstrate the principles of inclusive leadership by empowering employees, encouraging collaboration, and defining a team culture rooted in respect, continuous learning, and performance excellence.
• You have demonstrated commitment to social justice and combatting anti-Black racism, proven success in engaging employees, building leadership capacity, and promoting a strong organizational culture of anti-racism, excellence, equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• You can drive innovative thinking and have the courage to implement and communicate the value of making bold changes to stakeholders, staff, and leaders.
• You possess outstanding interpersonal skills, including being approachable, authentic, courageous and a people-centred leader, who leads by example and demonstrates a high degree of integrity, empathy, loyalty, confidence, and respect for employees.
• Develops, builds, and leads organizational capacity through positive and values-based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams and partnerships.
Relationship Management and Political Acuity
• You have proven experience building solid trusted relationships to enable engagement with partners and stakeholders.
• You have a collaborative approach to working with staff, stakeholders, and partners to advance common goals.
• You demonstrate political acuity and judgment skills to anticipate and manage contentious issues and to identify mitigating strategies.
Strategic Planning, Strategy and Delivery
• You have proven abilities in providing strategic direction, formulating evidence-based solutions, establishing priorities and accountability measures, and developing and implementing policy and programs.
• You demonstrate a strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by Black employees and leaders.
• You have led multi-disciplinary project teams and overseen the development and implementation of special initiatives to support anti-Black/anti-racism priorities.
• You demonstrate exceptional cross-cultural communication, consultation, and facilitation skills, and possess expertise in engaging in matters that require sensitivity and empathy.
• You possess strong links and a wealth of experience in engaging and building relationships within the Black community.
• You can provide strategic advice and work across government to identify, prevent, and dismantle anti-Black racism and systemic barriers in internal government policies, programs, and services.
• You have experience providing strategic direction, compelling advice, recommendations and conducting concise briefings for senior executives
Knowledge
• You have experience in relevant areas, for example: social justice; human rights; anti-racism; human resources; Black, African and / or Caribbean Studies; and Afro-centric ways of knowing.
• You have expert knowledge of the Black experience, systemic, individual, and cultural dimensions of anti-Black racism, and all forms of anti-Black oppression.
• You understand intersectionality and the importance of the connections between race and dimensions, such as creed, language, and gender.
• You have demonstrated experience identifying opportunities for change and championing ideas that lead to improved outcomes impacting Black employees.
Next step in the hiring process• Applicants who screen into the competition will be contacted on Thursday, March 16. Anticipated interview date for this position is Friday, March 17, 2023.