September 11 2024

National Representative – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA)

National Union of Public and General Employees (“NUPGE”) is a family of 13 Component unions. Taken together, NUPGE is one of the largest unions in Canada. Most of its 425,000 members work to deliver public services of every kind to the citizens of their home provinces. NUPGE also has a large and growing number of members who work in the private sector.

The National Union is different from most unions; it has a federated structure – in effect, it’s a union of unions. Individuals are members of the National Union through their membership in one of NUPGE’s components. The National Union structure is built on the autonomy and identity of components, while providing the benefits of belonging to a National Union. Components elect their own officers, set their dues, hire their staff and do their own bargaining. The National Union provides assistance and co-ordination, and national and international representation.

NUPGE’s mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. Additionally, NUPGE’s mission as a National Union is to:

• monitor provincial and federal labour laws and developments
• analyse restructuring of social programs and public services
• report on and contribute to legislation affecting the workplace
• give its members a national presence through participation in the Canadian Labour Congress and internationally through Public Services International
• develop and share successful bargaining strategies with its component unions
• contribute to a national framework of services and solidarity to benefit all Canadian workers

Within this context NUPGE invites applications and nominations for its National Representative – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA). NUPGE strongly encourages applications from members of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities and all equity-deserving groups including women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Reporting to the Managing Director (Office of the President) and working alongside a team that is deeply committed to producing measurable change, the National Representative will help advance NUPGE’s commitment to social justice, equity, reconciliation, and solidarity.  The National Representative is uniquely positioned to bring together diverse voices, strengthen the bonds of solidarity among NUPGE’s Components, and drive positive change for all members, staff, and working people. As a key liaison, the National Representative will ensure that NUPGE is a valuable and responsive resource for its Components and will work closely with the Anti-Racism Committee and the Indigenous Issues Committee. As such, they will support a variety of impactful initiatives, programs, and projects; conduct research; prepare regular reports and briefing notes; review and develop policy; and author articles, papers, and responses. Internally, the National Representative will help guide NUPGE’s inaugural EDIA audit and subsequent EDIA initiatives, strategies, and efforts, ensuring its successful integration into all facets of the organization. Externally, the National Representative will champion the importance of an inclusive and diverse labour movement and foster connections with external partners, allies, and comrades to promote collaborations and build collective power.  

As the ideal candidate, you have demonstrated commitment to, and in-depth knowledge of, social justice, reconciliation, and solidarity. You have understanding and experience with EDIA, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive principles, strategies, initiatives, policies, and practices. Lived experience of encountering and addressing complex equity, diversity, and human rights issues is strongly preferred. Experience in the labour movement, or a strong understanding of the labour movement is a definite asset. Excellent research, project management, analytical, and communication skills, written and verbal, are required. You have exceptional interpersonal skills and thrive developing partnerships, acting as a liaison, catalyst, advisor, collaborator, and educator. You can successfully engage with a diverse group of partners, including NUPGE’s members and Components, allies, and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and are skilled at participatory approaches, facilitation, and relationship management.

Salary: Salary and benefits package in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the National Union of Public and General Employees and the NUPGE National Representative Staff Union (IAM 1922). The starting salary is $120,684.68 and increases to $123,707.70 after the probationary period.  

Location: This role is based in the Ottawa, Ontario area and involves some domestic and international travel. 

To learn more about this impactful opportunity with NUPGE, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Noshina Choudhary (noshina@griffithgroup.ca), or visit: https://griffithgroup.ca/nupge-edia/

The Search Committee will be meeting the end of October 2024 to review applications.

The office of NUPGE is on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. 

We recognize the crimes that have been committed and the harm that has been done and dedicate ourselves as a union to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and striving for justice. 

NUPGE is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, and strongly encourages applications from women, members of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity-deserving groups.  

NUPGE and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and assessment processes.  

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.