Research Equity Specialist Unity Health Toronto, brings together St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare under a shared mission—to advance excellence in health care through world-class education, research and innovation. Research at Unity Health Toronto is comprised of over 260 researchers, 230 learners and 900 staff members with a variety of research programs from basic science and translational research to clinical, population health, policy, and health services research. MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions is the largest research centre at Unity Health Toronto focused on tackling complex community health issues at the intersection of health and equity. We are fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, the largest research entity in Canada.

Equity, diversity and inclusion is a key enabler of our 5-year research strategic plan and we set annual objectives focused on advancing our priorities in anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion across our research programs and activities. Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategy, Innovation & Partnerships, the Research Equity Specialist will provide leadership, coaching and collaborative approaches to develop and apply anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion principles within Unity Health research services and functions. The Research Equity Specialist is responsible for providing leadership, advisory and strategic consultation to cultivate and embed Unity Health Toronto’s research strategic goals and objectives as they relate to anti-racism, equity, and social accountability into the culture of the research institute, and its policies and practices. In order to ensure alignment with the hospital’s broader anti-racism, equity and social accountability (ARESA) strategy and objectives, the individual will have a close working relationship with Unity Health Toronto’s ARESA Office. This relationship will also provide the individual with a supportive community of individuals conducting similar work across the network. As this is a shared position between VPRI and MAP, this individual will also report indirectly to the Manager, Research Programs and Partnerships of MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (MAP) to advance the equity-related work of the Centre, and support the anti-racism initiatives in its 5-year strategic plan.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Builds relationships internally at Unity Health and externally, that recognize the rights and experiences of research scientists, staff and learners who are in groups impacted by racism and inequities and lead the development and planning of programs and initiatives designed to ensure fair and equitable selection and treatment of members of the research community
• Co-Chair the Research EDI (REDI) Task Force and advance its work; REDI is a task force established in 2021 with membership from across the institute to provide guidance to the Research Leadership on the EDIAR-related barriers that exist in research, and to recommend initiatives and practices aimed at removing these barriers and promoting fairness, mutual respect and an unequivocal sense of equity, diversity and inclusion among our research community
• In collaboration with the Senior Director, Research Strategy and in consultation with the REDI Task Force, develop and implement annual strategic objectives that aim to build a culture of anti-racism, equity, inclusion, anti-oppression, and de-colonization within our research institute
• Co-Chair the MAP Anti-Racism and Equity Advisory (AREA) and work with Co-Lead and Working Group Leads on their strategy, and support tracking and execution of work plans. AREA was created in early 2021 with membership from across MAP to address racial inequity and foster an actively anti-racist culture at MAP
• Attend and participate in MAP Core Team meetings and develop and deliver anti-racism and EDI trainings for MAP Core Team, PIs and research staff
• Review research policies and procedures and ensure that anti-racism and equity principles are adopted and implemented across all of the research institute’s practices
• Represent the research institute on anti-racism and EDIAR-focused working groups and committees within Unity Health and externally (e.g. University of Toronto) to enhance organization wide efforts
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of large-scale equity-focused education programs , including the Driving Change in Healthcare: Equitable Research in Action (ERA) Workshop Series and the Health, Equity and Research Talks (HEaRT) Lecture Series
• Coordinate all operational aspects of multi-session training programs and research equity lectures , including speaker engagement, content development, communications and promotions, registration systems, and participant experience for initiatives such as ERA and the HEaRT lecture series.
• Cultivate and manage partnerships with internal and external stakeholders (scientists, trainees, institutional partners, community leaders, and guest speakers) to strengthen program impact, foster alignment across the research enterprise, and expand reach
• Create presentations, guidelines and learning materials to support the adoption and advancement of EDIAR practices in research environments and within research programs
• Provide advisory and consultation expertise to researchers on aspects of EDIAR strategy development, integration of EDIAR policies and practices in their programs of work
• Be the key point of contact for members of the research community on EDIAR related matters and respond to internal inquiries and requests around issues of EDIAR
• Monitor program outcomes and use data-driven insights to inform organizational EDIAR strategies , including participant feedback analysis, reporting, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with a deep understanding of the social, political, cultural, spiritual, health and economic history, challenges and opportunities relevant to Indigenous, Black and other racialized people, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities
• Demonstrated commitment to decolonization, awareness of the impacts of historical and ongoing colonialism and intergenerational trauma for Indigenous, Metis and Inuit communities
• 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
• Direct experience partnering with and working closely with people belonging to communities that have been systemically marginalized and underserviced by health and social systems required
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing EDIAR focused training programs
• 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 affect research staff and learners, especially those from underrepresented groups
• Good understanding and applied experience of the Ontario Human Rights Code & Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the organizational obligations associated with legislation preferred
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, required
• Experience in a research setting strongly preferred with strong knowledge of best practices in equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to coach and mentor others including, supporting mindsets related to anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Experience and expertise in event planning & production, partnership building and community engagement preferred
• Strong project management and communication skills required
• Experience with community-based research is preferred

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.