Equity Specialist Anti-racism & Equity

Equity Specialist Anti-Racism & Equity (Job ID: 8019)

Unity Health Toronto's vision is to create the best care experiences created together. Health equity is fundamental to our vision. By prioritizing health equity, we strive to build a world where everyone can reach their full health potential.

Reporting to the Director, Anti-Racism, Equity & Social Accountability, the Equity Specialist will provide guidance, coaching and collaborative approaches to apply workplace and health equity content expertise, and evidence based frameworks and practices within Unity Health services and functions as needed. The Equity Specialist is responsible for providing advisory and strategic consultation to cultivate and embed Unity Health Toronto's strategic goals and objectives as they relate to anti-racism, equity, social accountability into the culture of the organization, and its policies and practice.

This role is part of a growing team within the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability (ARESA) that advises and partners across the organization to strategically support Unity Health in its efforts towards equity for those who work and learn here and equity for the patients and communities we serve. Each member of the team acts as a role model and champion to identify and integrate safe, best practices into daily activities to foster the delivery of safe and exemplary care. The team currently includes the Director, Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability, 2 Equity Specialists, and an Evaluation and Equity Data Specialist.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • In conjunction with the Director, Anti-Racism, Equity & Social Accountability, meets with leaders across Unity Health Toronto, the Council for Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability (CARESA) and with community partners and patient advisory groups, to support implementation of a broad vision for anti-racism, equity and social accountability for Unity Health Toronto;
  • Leads and partners on strategic initiatives that transform the hospitals culture to one of anti-racism, equity, inclusion, anti-oppression, and de-colonization.
  • Builds relationships that recognize the rights and experiences of employees, patients and community members who are in groups impacted by racism and inequities to ensure that Unity Health meaningfully engages with and is responsive to the identified needs and calls to action;
  • Collaborates with the Director, ARESA to identify the need for, develop and implement policies and guidelines on matters related to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion that will bring best practices into the organization as well as ensure compliance with legislation such as Ontario Human Rights Code and Ontario Disabilities Act;
  • Participates in the development of scorecards, dashboards, and other monitoring tools to assess and evaluate progress towards network and departmental strategic goals.
  • Provides consultative, strategic and administrative support to Unity Health's affinity groups.
  • Works with the Director, ARESA all levels of leadership, CARESA and affinity groups within the organization to lead and support the creation, implementation, coordination and evaluation of events related to Unity Health's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression.
  • Responds to internal inquiries and requests around issues of equity; and offers recommendations on best practice and course of action based on program knowledge.
  • Conducts research and environmental scans to inform deliverables and strategy.
  • Work closely with local partners to support efforts to address the broader determinants of community health such as housing, employment, harm reduction supports, etc., in particular to draw the connections between these efforts and health outcomes, and the need for health care.
  • In conjunction with the Director, ARESA, works with management and other key stakeholders to understand the learning, and development needs of the organization as it relates to ARESA, EDI, anti-oppression, accessibility and human rights, and supports the organization through the development of targeted initiatives;
  • Uses project management principles and tools to ensure success of projects and initiatives
  • Establish measurement targets to monitor and asses the effectiveness of engagement initiatives, including but not limited to web analytics, event attendance, surveys, etc., and utilize results to implement changes for future events;
  • Other duties as assigned.

  QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

  • A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years' experience developing and successfully implementing anti-racism, equity, inclusion and social accountability programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives strongly preferred
  • Bachelor's degree required in a preferred area of study (including equity studies, social justice, social sciences, behavioural sciences, social work, public health administration, business administration, healthcare or other equivalent field);
  • Proficient understanding and application of academic/theoretical and practical knowledge of health equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and/or population health frameworks and how these affects staff, client and family experience especially those from underrepresented group
  • Experience working in a hospital and/or healthcare sector is an asset
  • Demonstrated understanding of the health sector, including OHTs, primary care, acute care, home care, long-term care, and community support services strongly preferred
  • Experience in quality improvement, care delivery, or clinical operations an asset
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing health equity and EDI strategies in service delivery and/or at a population health level
  • Experience developing evaluation tools to measure and monitor the effectiveness of programs and initiatives
  • Demonstrated experience in change management and supporting transformational organizational change;
  • Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills including, ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, manage confidential information, and build rapport and positive working relationships.
  • Advanced problem solving, analytical and research skills. Strong project management and meeting coordination skills
  • Ability to coach and mentor others including, supporting learning-to-action models of change related to anti-racism and equity and belonging.
  • Direct experience partnering with working closely with people belonging to communities that have been systemically marginalized and underserviced by health systems required;
  • Direct experience in partnership, coalition building, co-design and community engagement preferred;
  • Lived experience of encountering and addressing complex equity, diversity and human rights issues strongly preferred.

  Unity Health Toronto is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our patients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

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