Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing. Friends of Ruby offers Youth Mental Health services, a Youth Drop-In Centre, and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier-free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming. The Home provides transitional and emergency housing, mental health, and life-skills to support youth moving towards independent living.    

Friends of Ruby recognize that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract and develop incredibly talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applicants from the 2SLGBTQIA+, Allies, BIPOC and ACB communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the role. 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of People and Culture, this position requires a dynamic individual capable of designing and leading initiatives, managing projects, and creating a positive and equitable workplace culture. The People and Culture Generalist – EDI Specialist at Friends of Ruby will be a key driver in fostering an inclusive, diverse, and highly engaged culture. This role will be instrumental in overseeing HR functions while championing EDI programs, anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives, and training and development strategies.

Responsibilities

EDI Program Management:

• Develop and implement EDI initiatives and programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
• Establish an EDI committee or working group to drive initiatives and collect feedback from diverse perspectives.
• Conduct periodic assessments, analyses, and feedback mechanism to identify areas for improvement and track progress on EDI goals.
• Study our infrastructure with critical questions, such as:
• Are there members of underrepresented groups in senior leadership roles?
• Are there members of underrepresented groups acting as mentors for staff and clients?
• Are there people of diverse intersecting identities in these same roles?
• How is key messaging reinforced by tangible actions?
• What are our public accountability and transparency measures and are they adequate?
• Lead EDI training sessions and workshops for staff, fostering a culture of understanding and respect.
• Advocate for and implement policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusivity at all levels of the organization.
• Stay updated on current EDI trends, research, and best practices to continuously improve EDI initiatives.

Operational:

• Design, develop, and implement engaging learning experiences aligning with organizational goals.
• Facilitate the recruitment process by posting jobs, identifying candidates, setting up interviews, conducting reference checks, and issuing employment contracts based on the current employment standards. Customize training programs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiently design and deliver virtual and in-person training sessions using various platforms.
• Develop and update training materials, including presentations, manuals, and online resources.
• Collect disaggregated data for all groups to identify any systemic barriers within our policies and processes.
• Establish new staff onboarding policies and training materials Develop staff library on new staff web portal that incorporates EDI learning initiatives, workshops on EDI.
• Collaborate with department heads to identify and address internal training needs.
• Participate in HR committees for events, engagement activity etc.
• Plan and implement OHS policies and programs.
• Work on employee engagement initiatives to enhance and promote the organization’s values and culture.
• Facilitate employee orientations and update records of new staff.
• Manage employee relations including answering staff queries relating to HR and EDI.
• Develop HR metrics and KPI’s including EDI-related metrics.
• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial employment laws and regulations and recommend best practices.

Qualifications

Experience, Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in behavioral studies, Human Resources, or related field preferred. CHRP is not required but considered an asset.
• 5+ years of professional experience in human resources, with dedicated experience designing EDI and Training and Development programs.
• Strong understanding of EDI, intersectionality, ARAO concepts, trauma informed care and cultural safety. Both formal and informal experience leading to EDI change is preferred.
• Lived intersectional experience.
• A champion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & ARAO, including but not limited to:
  • Ability to navigate and communicate effectively in diverse environments.
  • Understanding of the broader social and cultural contexts that impact DEI efforts.
  • Understanding of equity issues and a commitment to promoting fairness and equality.
  • Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on inclusive language.
• Change management experience is an asset, however, more importantly we are looking for someone who is willing to learn and grow in their knowledge and understanding of EDI/ARAO concepts.
• Experience in not-for-profit sector is considered an asset.
• Track record of exceeding diversity and inclusion-related commitments.
• Ability to distill complex concepts into executable strategies.
• Strong communication skills with an emphasis on inclusive language.
• Cultural competence and ability to navigate diverse environments.
• Understanding of equity issues and commitment to promoting fairness.
• Cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork facilitation experience.
• Trained in Bias awareness and mitigation strategies.
• Conflict resolution skills related to diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems (LMS).
• Experience creating high-quality educational videos.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft products and eLearning tools.

Additional Requirements:

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check program.
• Legal eligibility to work in Canada.
• Working on a hybrid model, 3 days per week onsite, in downtown Toronto. The current hybrid model may be subject to change, considering business needs and responsibilities.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate occasional organizational needs, including evening and/or weekend work.
• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as required.

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to fostering an inclusive selection process and work environment, guided by the Employment Equity Policies. If selected for an interview, please inform the People and Culture team of any accommodation you may require during the interview process.