Special Projects and Operations Manager (Term)

Date Posted: 12/16/2024
Req ID: 41043
Faculty/Division: OISE
Department: Dept of Leadership, Higher & Adult Educ.
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00057203

Description:

About us:

The African, Caribbean, Black Family Group Conferencing (ACB-FGC) project, soon to be rebranded as the “Black Mediation Centre” supports the wellbeing of African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) children, families and youth by delivering culturally responsive alternate dispute resolution (ADR) services to families and youth involved or at-risk of becoming involved in the Ontario child welfare and/or family court systems. ACB-FGC was established in 2018 in partnership with the Metro Action Committee on Violence Against Women (METRAC), and Black Creek Community Health Centre through a catalyst grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario to develop a culturally adapted and therefore culturally responsive Family Group Conferencing model for ACB families. More recently, the Law Foundation of Ontario funded the development of our mediator training program for ACB families needing family court mediation.

Family Group Conferencing and mediation are existing models of ADR used in child welfare and family court to encourage alternatives to court involvement for resolving disputes related to child protection, separation, divorce and child support. Our models use a strengths-based, inclusive and collaborative approach toresolve child protection disputes, and encourages the involvement and support of the family, extended family, and the community in planning and decision-making for children.

Our model builds from standard FGC and mediation models to meet the distinct needs of ACB children, youth and families. Early evaluations of the ACB-FGC demonstrate that families feel the intervention is meeting their needs and that their voices are being heard. At the same time, the evaluation demonstrates that the process is improving the working relationship between ACB families and their child welfare personnel. Our family court mediation model tentatively called “Ujima Mediation,” applies the values developed through our ACB-FGC model to the family court system. This service will be available as of early 2026. As of April 2021, the ACB-FGC model is being implemented in partnership with Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre and with Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.

Your opportunity:

The mission of ACB-FGC is to deliver culturally responsive Family Group Conferencing and mediation to African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) families and youth in the Toronto area. Our model uses highly trained facilitators to engage with Black communities in a way that values and centres cultural strengths. Under the direction of the Principal Investigators (PIs), the Special Projects and Operations Manager will be an experienced, relationship-focused, and entrepreneurial leader who will be responsible for transforming this project into a non-profit organization.

They will be responsible for leading the development and execution of strategic plans to achieve objectives; cultivate positive relationships and write grant applications to help ensure financial sustainability; build and maintain effective partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, organizations, and stakeholders to promote the services and for collaboration opportunities;as well as overseeing all day-to-day operational activities.

In addition, the position is responsible for creating the marketing to build the organization's image and reputation in society and help the public to understand what services are offered.

The successful incumbent will bring superior management and leadership expertise, with a strong record in advocacy, communications, community relations and team development.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Cultivating ongoing, high-profile prospective partnerships that advance strategic agendas
• Leading the development and making recommendations for policy, procedures and best practices for the unit
• Developing charter, scope, resources and schedule for project(s)
• Implementing a communications plan to keep stakeholders informed
• Writing funding proposals and grant applications
• Planning and estimating financial resources required for programs and/or projects
• Directing the activities of a single ongoing staff-appointed employee

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in business or other relevant field of study; or acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Six to seven years demonstrated experience in external relations, strategic community development, business development, stakeholder relations and/or venture management.
• Experience in project planning, budgeting, team leadership and management.
• Demonstrated experience in all aspects of process/project development and execution.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in securing grants.
• Experience supervising staff is required, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated work experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with start-ups, not-for-profit organizations, including a strong understanding of business models and drivers of success in start-ups.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and cultivating partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience conducting presentations to a wide range of audiences and promoting programs/services.
• Advanced skills with MS 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Exceptional project management skills; ability to prioritize competing tasks to meet tight deadlines.
• Exemplary relationship management and interpersonal skills.
• Strong client service orientation with the ability to interact with people from various levels and backgrounds in a tactful, professionaland diplomatic manner.
• Ability to analyze and systematically evaluate risk, prepare contingency plans and coordinate an effort to problem solve.
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work effectively in a complex, dynamic, and sophisticated organization.
• Demonstrated professionalism, tact, and maturity in handling highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience leading a non-profit (or similar) organization operating in a related field.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Achievement oriented
• Communicator
• Entrepreneurial
• Motivated self-learner
• Organized
• Self-confident

Notes: This is a part-time (80% FTE) one year term appointment. 

Closing Date: 01/14/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Grant - Term 
Schedule: Part-Time
Pro-rated Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 15 --  $76,501.60 with an annual step progression to a maximum of  $97,832. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Jennifer Tucker

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.