African NS Liaison / Education Officer (Program Admin Officer 1-2) (Designated)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as African/Black Nova Scotians.

See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has a unique role within Nova Scotia. It is an independent government agency tasked with administering the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act ("the Act"), a provincial statute created in 1969, with the most recent amendments in November 2012. The Commission has many responsibilities.  Currently, the Commission is focused on two main areas; providing a human rights dispute resolution process to resolve allegations of discrimination both on an individual and systemic level; and working to eliminate barriers and prevent discrimination through education, training, public engagement, and policy development. The Commission is mandated by the Act to help build inclusive communities and protect human rights in Nova Scotia.
 

For more information on our department please visit https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/.

About Our Opportunity

The African Nova Scotian Liaison/Education Officer is responsible for promoting  Human Rights services available to a diverse range of African Nova Scotian communities and communities of African descent across the province. You will also work with the Race Relations, Equity and Inclusion (RREI) Team to provide education to the general public, as it relates to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.

You will work with the NSHRC on how to better adopt and engage in Africentric approaches to service delivery and to resolve human rights complaints.

Primary Accountabilities

As the African Nova Scotian Liaison/Education Officer you are an integral member of the Race Relations, Equity and Inclusion Team with the responsibility to provide human rights education to all Nova Scotians, through an Africentric lens by:

• Developing, delivering, and keeping up-to-date on human rights education and training to African Nova Scotian communities/communities of African descent and to other communities and organizations across Nova Scotia.
• Planning, developing, and delivering consultation and outreach programs and initiatives that align with the Commission’s priorities for African Nova Scotians.
• Developing and conducting information sessions, providing education materials as well as managing appropriate evaluation, reporting and follow-up tools that incorporate cross-cultural and equity/inclusion understanding for all Nova Scotians.
• Working closely with African Nova Scotians and communities to identify opportunities for collaboration on initiatives and services that will strengthen African Nova Scotians’ confidence in the NSHRC and enhance their willingness to raise discrimination inquiries and complaints.
• Responding to requests for information on the Commission’s programs, policies and services and providing appropriate linkages to staff of the Commission while collaborating with government departments and community organizations.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate for this position, you possess the following:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline such as adult education, community development, plus a minimum of one (1) year of related experience.
• Experience with training and development and techniques of adult learning.
• Extensive experience working within the African Nova Scotian Community and understanding of the history and realities of the community.
• Practical knowledge of Africentric Community Engagement process.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communications skills including the ability to develop and deliver professional presentations and develop program materials.
• Working knowledge of human rights and discrimination including systemic discrimination.
• Knowledge and practice in cultural competency and trauma-informed practice.

The incumbent must be a team player with good organizational, time management, conflict management, and negotiation skills and be able to operate effectively in a changing environment.

Experience with restorative and “train-the-trainer” approaches are considered assets for this role.
 

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• You will work in a comfortable office setting with regular travel throughout the province as required. You will have daily contact with various Commission staff, government departments as well as other local Agencies and community members. At times, you will have to manage conflict situations with clients who may be experiencing frustration.
• Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of September 4, 2026.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department specific flexible working schedules.