News release

 

 

 

Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA):

A Social Innovation Laboratory Focus on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities

IDEA is a new initiative at McMaster University recently funded for six years by the New Frontiers in Research Fund Transformation Stream. It follows from our longstanding Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (www.crwdp.ca). The activities of the IDEA laboratory are focused on advancing knowledge and practice on how workplaces and related systems can be better designed to support full inclusion of persons with disabilities, including the social aspects of employment.

Four job opportunities with the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) Social Innovation Laboratory – Deadline is May 20, 2022

Four exciting job opportunities are available with a new initiative on the employment of persons with disabilities, called the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) Social Innovation Laboratory. The IDEA Social Innovation Laboratory has six years of funding and is in its initial stages of getting the project organized and hiring staff.

Please find the links to the four job ads below – please distribute widely.

1. IDEA National Manager
2. IDEA National Coordinator
3. IDEA Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Associate
4. IDEA Web Master and Social Media Designer

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Deadline is May 20, 2022.

 

1. IDEA National Manager

 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Working under the supervision of the two leads of IDEA, the National Manager will play a key role in the management, running and support of all activities of the laboratory. The successful candidate will be experienced and skilled in the management of a knowledge to practice initiative. The position will be primarily remote with approximately 25% of time on-site in Hamilton and/or Toronto.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• manage all aspect of the national office and serve as team lead for the operations
• oversee timeline and yearly activity cycles of the initiative
• organize operations meetings and related activities
• oversee participant and partner commitments
• oversee students and post-doctoral programs
• liaise with participants, including partners, collaborators, researchers, and media
• oversee preparation of materials for various stakeholders
• assist with maintenance of the website and support the social media program
• manage terms of reference for funds allocation
• oversee accounting and management of budgets and financial reporting
• prepare reports to the funder

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• a university degree, preferably at a graduate or post-graduate level
• bilingualism is considered an asset (French and English)
• a solid understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and work disability issues
• work experience managing a large complex initiative
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• sound working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Excel
• ability to manage competing demands of the laboratory, independently coordinating and prioritizing relevant projects, tasks and responsibilities
• effective organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• a strong interest in team-based project work
• flexibility – able to switch tasks easily to address changing priorities
• ability to work with people from different backgrounds and with diverse goals
• ability to problem solve on issues with multiple inputs and perspectives
• experience facilitating meetings, including note-taking and action items
• experience coordinating events

SALARY RANGE

The position will be assessed after three months.

This is a full-time position for one year with a possibility of extension and is based on a full-time salary range of $70,000-$80,000, plus benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

PHYSICAL SETTING/WORKING CONDITIONS

Much of this job can be done remotely. The job requires coming into the office as needed, approximately 25% of the time, in Hamilton and/or Toronto. The physical environment of the office is an accessible modern building. There is no unusual physical effort involved in the duties. There are many periods of focused concentration at a computer terminal.

APPLICATION DETAILS

We strongly encourage candidates who identify as a person with a disability to apply. We are open to the possibility of job sharing in cases where a candidate has strong skills in key areas of the position. If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by e-mail to Emile Tompa (e-mail: etompa@iwh.on.ca). Applications will be accepted until May 20, 2022.

Access the IDEA National Manager job description (Word)

 

2. IDEA National Coordinator

 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Working under the supervision of the two leads of IDEA and the National Manager, the National Coordinator will play a key role in supporting of all activities of the laboratory. The successful candidate will be experienced and skilled in coordinating activities of a knowledge to practice initiative. The position will be primarily remote with approximately 25% of time on-site in Hamilton and/or Toronto.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• assist the National Manager with all aspects of the national office
• support timeline and yearly activity cycles of the initiative
• support operations meetings and related activities
• coordinate hub activities and support their administrative needs
• support student and post-doctoral program activities
• liaise with participants, including partners, collaborators, researchers, and media
• assist with the preparation of materials for various stakeholders
• assist with maintenance of the website and support the social media program
• support accounting and management of budgets and financial reporting
• assist with the preparation of reports to the funder

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• a university degree
• bilingualism is considered an asset (French and English)
• a good understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion issues
• work experience coordinating large complex initiatives
• good oral and written communication skills
• sound working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Excel
• ability to handle multiple demands of the laboratory, coordinating and prioritizing relevant projects, tasks and responsibilities
• good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• familiarity and interest in team-based project work
• flexibility – able to switch tasks easily to address changing priorities
• ability to work with people from different backgrounds
• experience supporting meetings, including notetaking and action items
• experience supporting events
• tact, discretion, and ability deal with confidential issues in a professional manner

SALARY RANGE

The position will be assessed after three months.

This is a full-time position for one year with a possibility of extension and is based on a full-time salary range of $60,000-$70,000, plus benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

PHYSICAL SETTING/WORKING CONDITIONS

Much of this job can be done remotely. The job requires coming into the office as needed, approximately 25% of the time, in Hamilton and/or Toronto. The physical environment of the office is an accessible modern building. There is no unusual physical effort involved in the duties. There are many periods of focused concentration at a computer terminal.

APPLICATION DETAILS

We strongly encourage candidates who identify as a person with a disability to apply. We are open to the possibility of job sharing in cases where a candidate has strong skills in key areas of the position. If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by e-mail to Emile Tompa (e-mail: etompa@iwh.on.ca). Applications will be accepted until May 20, 2022.

Access the IDEA National Coordinator job description (Word)

 

3. IDEA Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Associate

 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

The Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Associate will provide broad communication services, as well as stakeholder engagement support for the laboratory. They will work closely with the two leads of IDEA, the Web Master, the National Manager and the National Coordinator to plan, initiate and coordinate a wide range of products, services and initiatives to fulfill the laboratory’s communications and stakeholder engagement objectives. The position will be primarily remote with approximately 25% of time on-site in Hamilton and/or Toronto.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• coordinate, write and post content for the launch of the laboratory’s website, and continue to write and post web content throughout the life of the initiative (e.g., articles on IDEA activities, resources, events and outcomes)
• coordinate, write, edit and produce an e-newsletter according to schedule (to be determined)
• pitch and write articles on IDEA activities and outcomes for stakeholder publications, ghost-writing articles for IDEA participants and partners as needed
• edit and proofread initiative reports, policy briefs, guides and other resources, as required
• oversee media relations activities for the laboratory, including handling inquiries from media, arranging interviews where appropriate, preparing media advisories and releases, conducting media analysis, and tracking media uptake
• oversee social media for IDEA, including regularly tweeting, posting on LinkedIn, and posting on other social media platforms as required (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) to keep stakeholders up to date on IDEA activities and outcomes
• coordinate production of project-related videos, including writing and approving scripts, creating or approving story boards, and creating or approving final videos
• coordinate, run and promote IDEA webinar series, and help coordinate other events such as workshops and conferences, as needed
• ensure all communications products and dissemination methods are accessible and meet accessibility standards

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• strong writing, editing and proofing skills, as well as a general knowledge of production processes
• strong people and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and coordinate stakeholders in a range of online and in-person formats, as well as the ability to work both in a team and independently
• demonstrated ability to support research, conduct interviews, write and edit for various types of public relations materials, especially newsletters, websites, media releases and video scripts
• demonstrated knowledge of communication accessibility standards and how to meet them
• savvy and strong web content and social media skills, video production skills an asset
• sound working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel), Adobe Suite (InDesign, Acrobat) and html
• familiarity with video production an asset
• formal education in public relations, communications and/or journalism and/or more than five years of related job experience an asset
• experience in a research or academic organization, and/or an organization serving people with disabilities an asset
• knowledge of work and disability issues an asset

SALARY RANGE

The position will be assessed after three months.

This is a full-time position for one year with a possibility of extension and is based on a full-time salary range of $65,000-$75,000, plus benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

PHYSICAL SETTING/WORKING CONDITIONS

Much of this job can be done remotely. The job requires coming into the office as needed, approximately 25% of the time, in Hamilton and/or Toronto. The physical environment of the office is an accessible modern building. There is no unusual physical effort involved in the duties. There are many periods of focused concentration at a computer terminal.

APPLICATION DETAILS

We strongly encourage candidates who identify as a person with a disability to apply. We are open to the possibility of job sharing in cases where a candidate has strong skills in key areas of the position. If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by e-mail to Emile Tompa (e-mail: etompa@iwh.on.ca). Applications will be accepted until May 20, 2022.

Access the IDEA Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Associate job description (Word)

 

4. IDEA Web Master and Social Media Designer

 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

The Web and Design Coordinator plays the lead role in the design, creation and ongoing maintenance of the IDEA website, and also supports the design and production of publications, videos and digital tools. They work closely with with the two leads of IDEA, the National Manager, the National Coordinator, the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Associate to plan, initiate and coordinate the website and other activities to help fulfill the laboratory’s communications and stakeholder engagement objectives. The position will be primarily remote with approximately 25% of time on-site in Hamilton and/or Toronto.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Website

• build, adjust and maintain the design and functionality of the IDEA website on WordPress or another popular web platform, keeping accessibility and usability top of mind
• consistently create well-designed, tested code using best practices for website development, including mobile and responsive site design
• analyze user needs to ensure the content, graphics and navigation provide a positive user experience

• add functionality and content to the website throughout the time period of the initiative, especially to support knowledge mobilization among workplace stakeholders, and maintain and update the website to keep it secure
• build and maintain Contact Relations Manager system

Design

• ensure consistent use of IDEA logo, colours and fonts across products, including the website, e-newsletter, reports, summaries, videos, slides and other resources
• ensure all product design, functionality and layout are accessible and adhere to accessibility best practices and standards

• design and produce a regular IDEA e-newsletter
• design letterhead, as well as reports, slides and other resource templates
• design and layout infographics, guides, policy briefs and other products, as needed

Digital Tools and Other Materials

• support video production, including storyboards, audio and editing
• provide technical support to a webinar series
• design social media cards for sharing on Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms
• build and design apps and other tools, as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• strong working knowledge of web applications (e.g., WordPress, Drupal), programming languages and web services, including proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and other relevant web design coding languages
• strong website and product design skills, including proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
• strong knowledge of website and design accessibility and usability best practices and standards, and experience in how to implement them
• experience with Contact Relations Management systems an asset
• video production and editing skills, as well as proficiency in video editing software, an asset
• formal education in web design, multimedia design or related field and/or more than five years of related experience an asset
• strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team

SALARY RANGE

The position will be assessed after three months.

This is a full-time position for one year with a possibility of extension and is based on a full-time salary range of $70,000-$80,000, plus benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

PHYSICAL SETTING/WORKING CONDITIONS

Much of this job can be done remotely. The job requires coming into the office as needed, approximately 25% of the time, in Hamilton and/or Toronto. The physical environment of the office is an accessible modern building. There is no unusual physical effort involved in the duties. There are many periods of focused concentration at a computer terminal.

APPLICATION DETAILS

We strongly encourage candidates who identify as a person with a disability to apply. We are open to the possibility of job sharing in cases where a candidate has strong skills in key areas of the position. If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by e-mail to Emile Tompa (e-mail: etompa@iwh.on.ca). Applications will be accepted until May 20, 2022.

Access the IDEA Web Master and Social Media Designer job description (Word)

 

IDEA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

We thank all applicants, but only those considered for the position will be contacted.