Consultant, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) (Designated)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as an Indigenous, Aboriginal or First Nation Person. Due to the nature of work and its connection to the Mi’kmaw Community in Nova Scotia, individuals who identify as Mi’kmaw and are connected to community would be considered a asset.

If you are a member of this equity group, you must self-identify during the application process to be considered. In addition, please complete the screening question as part of the application process.

If you require accessibility accommodations during the application process, please contact Competitions@novascotia.ca who will help navigate you to a contact who can assist you.

About Us

The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism (OEA) works across government with partners, communities, and public service employees, to help lead and support government’s equity and anti-racism initiatives. In July 2024, our mandate was expanded to include both an internal and external focus.
 

• For public service employees—we work to promote and advance equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and to create a culturally responsive workplace; and
• For all Nova Scotians—we work to identify and address systemic racism, barriers, and inequities in government policy, legislation, programs and services.
   

We are an energetic team with a positive attitude and determination to make a difference by applying a collaborative government approach. Our team strives to be representative of the communities we serve and we strongly value diversity.

If you are interested in making a difference and wish to join a strong team who strive to achieve change, we are interested in hearing from you!

Who is EDIA?

The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) unit consists of a group of professionals who support the work of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Nova Scotia Public Service. We support departments in eliminating barriers to underrepresented groups, establishing and meeting employment equity targets at all levels, and in creating safe, inclusive and accessible workspaces. Our team functions as one with respect and acknowledgement for differences and how they make us stronger, together.

About Our Opportunity

Are you a passionate champion for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility? Do you enjoy strategy implementation and developing others? Do you thrive in building and fostering positive relationships and culturally responsive work environments? Do you enjoy working in a respectful environment dealing with complex issues while applying critical thinking and analysis?

If you answered yes to these questions, we have an exciting opportunity for you to explore with the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism as a Consultant, with the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Unit.

What You Will Do

As a natural leader you actively support change through effective communication and planning. As an EDIA Consultant you will report to the Director of the unit and be part of a team that provides strategic leadership, training, advice, and support to the Nova Scotia Government on EDIA activities and initiatives.

You will provide subject matter expertise, training, advice, and support on a wide range of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility issues, with a focus on all areas.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advising and supporting client departments in the implementation of corporate strategies, such as the All Together Action Plan, Government of Nova Scotia Accessibility Plan, Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and other EDIA related issues and departmental plans;
• Increasing awareness of and building capacity for EDIA across government. This includes facilitating a range of EDIA training courses for employees and leaders across the public service;
• Partnering with colleagues from African Nova Scotian Affairs, L’nu Affairs, the Accessibility Directorate, and the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission, who also globally support government and community with corporate level initiatives.
• Fostering positive partnerships with various community-based groups and organizations, related partners, including departmental EDIA leads/resources and champions, and Employee Networks, to name a few;
• Playing a lead role in the identification and removal of barriers, including systemic barriers, preventing members of equity groups from participating to their full potential in the workplace;
• Contributing to the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of policies, guidelines and programs designed to foster equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces;
• Developing resources related to EDIA for employees and managers across government;
• Leading corporate level EDIA assessments and reports; and
• Collecting, analysing and reporting on relevant data such as Self Identification, jurisdictional, and academic research, related to EDIA

Qualifications and Experience

This could be the right job for you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Project management experience, i.e., developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, guidelines and/or programs;
• Effective facilitation, presentation, and training skills;
• Extensive experience partnering and building positive relationships, including engagement processes with a variety of equity communities;
• A high level of intercultural competence and a strong diversity and critical analysis lens when reviewing policies, programs, processes, and practices;
• Experience working on anti-racism policies and issues around systemic discrimination affecting underrepresented groups;
• Completion of post-secondary education, such as a bachelor or master level degree in a related field plus several years of related community and/or work experience. This may include advocacy, organizing or research on systemic racism and oppression, inclusion and accessibility, cultural responsiveness, as examples; and
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams (teleconferencing tool) and comfortable learning new web-based enterprise application when required.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Conceptual Thinking, Strategic Orientation, Outcome Focus, Initiative, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written or situational pre-interview exercises, multi-media format presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

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

What You Can Expect

Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day

• May be required to work overtime on occasion
• Time in a comfortable office setting
• Pressures to meet deadlines with attention to accuracy
• Facilitating and at times initiating difficult and courageous conversations
• A work community that supports and recognizes varying perspectives and thoughts
• A strong team culture working cohesively in the promotion of Allyship and education

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.

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

• Being an active leader in addressing systemic barriers experienced by Indigenous communities

• Countless career paths