African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant (Education Officer 3)

Job title: African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant (Education Officer 3)

Job description: Competition # : 36579

Department: Education & Early Childhood Development

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG

Closing Date: ​9/12/2022​ (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. Under the Government of Nova Scotia’s Employment Equity Policy, this position is designated and therefore, only applicants from the following group will be considered: African Nova Scotians.

If you are a member of one of this equity group, you must clearly identify in your cover letter and self-identify during the application process, to be considered.

About Us

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of the early years and public education system in Nova Scotia. We are doing this by designing an innovative curriculum, facilitating excellence in teaching and learning, ensuring an inclusive education experience, and working closely with our partners in education. This will provide children, students, and families with a strong foundation for success. This department is a perfect fit for those that want to be part of the future of public education in the province by supporting student learning in a progressive and responsive policy environment.

The African Canadian Services Branch is located within the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is dedicated to collaborating across the Department to build a Nova Scotian educational system that is equitable, culturally responsive and a safe learning environment for African Nova Scotian/Black learners. ACSB is dedicated to advancing the holistic development, well-being and scholarship of African Nova Scotian and African Canadian learners.

The African Canadian Division was established in February of 1996 to implement the Department’s response to the BLAC Report on Education, Redressing Inequity Empowering Black Learners.

ACSB’s mandate is located at the following link:

About Our Opportunity

The African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant is a key member of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and a member of the African Canadian Services Branch.

The African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant is a subject matter expert in the areas of in relation to transforming educational practices to produce more equitable and inclusive outcomes for African Nova Scotian students. The consultant will lead the collaborative development of the African Nova Scotian Educational Leadership Strategy, a plan recruit and engage educational leaders in the design and implementation of impactful actions and strategies which inspire success for African Nova Scotian students.

The consultant has lived experiences with African Nova Scotian cultures, histories and demonstrated experiences working holistically in support of valuing students, and empowering families and communities. The African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant has proven success in leading impactful educational and/or school based initiatives and is able to support educational leaders in building and deepening shared understandings and impactful practice.

The African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant will work directly with EECD staff, Regional Centres for Education (RCEs) and conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) and with internal and external partners such as other government departments, authorities, agencies, post-secondary institutions, professional associations, and nongovernment organizations to ensure EECD commitment to Inclusive education for all students. The Consultant provides strategic leadership to inform the development and implementation of policies, programs, standards, curriculum, leads projects, supports, and services for the public school system.

The Consultant is responsible for collaborating, leading, and managing professional learning and educational initiatives and support for education entities for the implementation of inclusive policies, programs and resource supports and services for African Nova Scotian learners. The African Diaspora Educational Leadership Consultant provides leadership in the establishment of student assessment and testing practices that are equitable and that recognize racial, cultural and gender diversity. The consultant also provides expert guidance and leadership in the collaborative development, and update policies, strategies and practices which support the success of African Nova Scotian students and students of Black African ancestry

This position reports to the Director and Executive Director.

Primary Accountabilities

The Consultant will work directly with Regional Centres for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and with internal and external stakeholders such as other government departments, authorities, agencies, post-secondary institutions, professional associations, and nongovernment organizations and is responsible for:

• collaborating, leading and managing professional learning and support for education entities on the African Nova Scotian Educational Leadership Strategy for the implementation of inclusive policies, programs, and resource supports for all learners.
• supporting all teachers and support staff in an inclusive education system to improve student achievement and well-being.
• analysing data in relation to student achievement and well-being and designing, implementing, and monitoring responsive supports to inform and guide decision making.
• guiding, leading, and managing processes for supporting P-12 education system.
• researching, implementing, and evaluating programs, services, curriculum, and professional learning opportunities.
• supporting and ensuring that policies, programs, services, and curriculum are current, evidence-informed, and developmentally appropriate; and monitors for continuous improvement.
• playing a key role in advising and providing expertise to support the NS public school program and services based on evidence-informed practices as well as research into current population-level indicators and outcomes in achievement and well-being for all students.
• actively leading and participating in strengthening student outcomes by building partnerships, relationships, and integrated services delivery across government, agencies, and communities, as appropriate.
• representing the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on committees with stakeholders to establish policies and protocols in relation to programs, services, and related legislation.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have a Masters’ degree in Education, a Teaching Certificate, and a minimum of eight (8) successful years of teaching/, including related leadership experience in foster climates student achievement and well-being.

The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge and expertise in the areas of school administration and/or counselling, coaching, staff and system development. The candidate will also have demonstrated successful experience in project management and working with data to inform next steps.

The consultant is proficient in using computer applications (Microsoft Office programs, Internet, virtual meeting platforms). Above average organizational and time management skills are essential, as are excellent interpersonal skills, facilitation skills, and team-building skills. Proven ability to manage constructive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and the ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement is required. The consultant will be required to work independently and in team environments applying the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion to all areas of the work, and will support colleagues to do the same.

Assets for this position include:

• Bilingualism (English and French)

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Mentorship through iNSpire; a new formal, interdepartmental mentorship program that connects employees so they can gain knowledge and experience to support their career development.
• Countless Career Paths for Nova Scotians.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 20

Salary Range: $3,387.99 – $3,989.08 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

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