Associate Vice-President - Equity & Advocacy

Reports to: VP Education   

Rate: C5  

Contract term: 1st Monday in May - April 

Hours: 12 - 14 hours per week   

General Scope of Duties 

The Associate Vice-President (Equity & Advocacy) is responsible for chairing the Student

Representative Assembly (SRA) Standing Committee on Campus-Wide Equity &

Advocacy, and any directly related ad-hoc committees of the SRA. The Associate Vice-

President (Equity & Advocacy), alongside their committee, provides informed guidance and

leadership on matters related to diversity, equity, inclusivity, spirituality, race, and ethnicity

through the creation and delivery of programming, campaigns, and events. Additionally, the

Associate Vice-President (Equity & Advocacy) will work alongside the Vice-President

(Education) to develop resources and training for students and student groups, to support

their advocacy initiatives. . They will also be responsible for attending meetings relevant to

their portfolio, as advised by the Vice-President (Education).

Please note this posting closes Sunday, April 12 at 11:59pm. 

Supervision/Professional Development (15 %) 

• Chair meetings of the SRA Standing Committee on Campus-Wide Equity & Advocacy, and any related ad-hoc committees


• Inform committee members of their responsibilities on the committee


• Inform committee members of meeting times, locations, and where to find relevant information


• Ensure meeting minutes are recorded and then submitted to the Executive Assistant and Administrative Assistant within two weeks of meetings


• Notify, in writing, members who are within one meeting of losing their committee seat


• Maintain contact lists for committee members


• Create agendas for committee meetings

Logistics/Budgeting/Finances (20 %) 

• Coordinate with the Vice-President (Education) to obtain resources from internal and external vendors for projects and campaigns


• Fill out Risk Management as necessary for bookings


• Coordinate the necessary logistics for OUSA General Assembly, when hosted at McMaster


• Assist the Advocacy & Policy Research Assistants in planning forums, hosting focus groups, and coordinating surveys for primary research


• Coordinate the planning of the MSU Policy Conference


• Provide logistical support to student groups and MSU Services in planning student advocacy-related initiatives


• Manage the budget for the committees in which they chair
  

Internal Communications/Collaboration (15 %) 

• Report to the SRA and the Vice-President (Education) with regards to committee work


• Assist other MSU staffers as necessary, in areas relevant to their portfolio


• Prepare a detailed year-plan submission for the SRA with regards to committee work


• Provide transition for the incoming the Associate Vice-President (Equity & Advocacy)


• Submit reports to the SRA as advised by the Vice-President (Education) and the Administrative Assistant.


• Maintain strong communication channels with the Vice-President (Education), the Education & Advocacy Department, and MSU Services.


• Consult with the Vice-President (Education) on matters relating to their area of responsibility


• Seek consultation and advice from the Vice-President (Education) on matters of policy, procedure and assembly business


• Assist the Vice-President (Education) with other projects and duties as assigned


• Attend Education Department meetings as set by the Vice-President (Education)


• Advise and seek advice from the Executive Board as required


• Participate in committees as mandated by MSU Operating Policies

Innovation/Initiative (10 %) 

• Generate new and relevant ideas through committee-driven insight for the purposes of engaging the student body with the work of the MSU Education Team
  

Judgement/Thinking (10 %) 

• Advise the Vice-President (Education) on event coordination and promotion in regards to student advocacy.


• Determine key student engagement priorities in relation to the work conducted by the University, Municipal, & Provincial and Federal affairs committees in collaboration with the Vice-President (Education)

External Communications/Promotions (30 %) 

• Develop promotion for campaigns and events


• Develop training materials and workshops for student groups and the general student population


• Advise the Vice-President (Education) and the Communications & Advertising Department on MSU public relations relating advocacy issues of student concern


• Collaborate with community and campus partners, including but not limited to the Spiritual Care and Learning Centre and the Equity and Inclusion Office


• Facilitate and maintain relationships with student groups, to support advocacy initiatives for underrepresented students


• Represent the MSU in Education & Advocacy Department campaigns and events with campus stakeholders


• Recruit committee membership from a diverse student population


• Work with the MSU Communications & Advertising Department to promote educational and advocacy initiatives

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledgeable in scope and focus of the Standing Committee


• Knowledgeable of parliamentary procedure, MSU Constitution, Operations, Bylaws, and Policies


• Knowledgeable of the MSU legislative process and the complexities of policy creation


• Knowledgeable in University event planning procedures and policies


• Familiarity with the MSU and with the field of Post-Secondary Education


• Familiarity with post-secondary issues & the concerns of students on campus


• Organizational and time management skills


• Skilled in event planning


• Skilled in making reasoned and impartial decisions


• Skilled in communicating clearly and succinctly to moderate debate


• Skilled in effectively chairing meetings


• Skilled in strategic planning abilities


• Skilled in working both independently and in a team

Effort & Responsibility 

• Effort required to maintain strong community and campus partnerships 


• Responsible for acting as a positive ambassador of the MSU at campus and community events 

Working Conditions 

• Hours of work may vary (i.e., no scheduled work hours on a daily basis)


• Access to shared workspace in the MSU Committee Room


• Colleagues often exude a high degree of passion regarding their work