Amnesty International Canada (English Branch) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals with significant expertise with diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) who are interested in helping AI Canada establish policies and practices to eliminate systemic barriers to DEI, and ensure appropriate representation of designated or underrepresented groups. They must have time available to devote to serving on a Steering Committee on a volunteer basis.
The Steering Committee will include two active Amnesty supporters, one person who brings experience from other organizations who is not actively engaged with Amnesty, and one Amnesty staff member. Other required competencies are set out below.
The Steering Committee will be supported by and report to Executive Director Jayne Stoyles, who will also draw on the expertise of an additional group of informal advisors with significant DEI experience within Amnesty and professional experience.
The volunteer Steering Committee will be tasked with reviewing the diversity-related work done within Amnesty in the past and getting oriented to the work planned for 2018 (such as improving policies and procedures for recruiting for diversity; offering anti-oppression training at all levels of the organization; and undertaking an organization-wide visioning exercise and consultation process).
The Steering Committee will then develop its Terms of Reference and a workplan. Some of its initiatives might include:
- Consulting with other organizations and seeking expert input as to best practices in a systemic approach to DEI, especially within membership organizations.
- Providing input into how the work described above, that will be driven by the Executive Director and undertaken by a hired consultant, should be implemented.
- Developing recommendations, priorities, benchmarks and a workplan, to ensure timely progress and accountability.
- Actively supporting the implementation of the workplan.
- Creating spaces for deep reflection and courageous conversations.
- Identifying champions and partners within Amnesty International Canada to help keep diversity and inclusion work moving forward.
Candidates for the Steering Committee must have some combination of the following competencies:
- Experience working within Amnesty International or other membership organizations.
- Practical experience in planning and implementing DEI programs, in particular in a membership organization.
- Connection to a network of diversity and equity professionals within Canada.
- Well-developed intercultural competencies.
- Commitment to Amnesty International’s mission.
- Time available to devote to Steering Committee work on a volunteer basis, with an estimate of about 4 hours per month (which will be flexible).
Please submit expressions of interest to Aden Seaton at aseaton@amnesty.ca by January 31, 2018.
Submissions can be in the body of an email, detailing which of the above competencies the candidate would bring, and how these were developed. Submitting a resumé is welcome but not required.
The selection committee will be comprised of two senior Amnesty volunteers with diversity, equity and inclusion experience, along with Amnesty International Canada’s Executive Director.
Short interviews of candidates may be held, with the intention to launch the Steering Committee and hold a first meeting by the end of February.
