African NS Equity Consultant (STEM & Student Assessment & Evaluation) (Education Off 3, Designated)

Job title: African NS Equity Consultant (STEM & Student Assessment & Evaluation) (Education Off 3, Designated)

Job description: Competition # : 36114

Department: Education & Early Childhood Development

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG

Closing Date: ​8/30/2022​ (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 Nova Scotian Equity 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 Nova Scotian Equity Consultant is a subject matter expert in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Student Assessment and Evaluation in relation to transforming educational practices to produce more equitable and inclusive outcomes 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 Nova Scotian equity consultant has proven success in developing and supporting performance-based assessments and is able to support educational staff in building and deepening shared understandings and impactful practice.

The African Nova Scotian Equity Consultant will work directly with EECD staff, Regional Centres for Education (RCEs) and conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) and with internal and external stakeholders 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 Nova Scotian equity 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 of STEM curricula, learner resources and opportunities in support of Nova Scotia’s Inclusive Education Policy.

This position reports to the Director or Executive Director.

Primary Accountabilities

• Consultants are responsible for adherence to Nova Scotia’s Inclusive Education Policy.
• Committed and empowered to work collectively to identify and eliminate barriers that interfere with students’ well-being and achievement
• Provide support to all teachers and support staff in an inclusive education system to improve student achievement and well-being through continuing to improve programs and growth of all students, and the establishment of practices, strategies and educational initiatives that enable students to feel safe, accepted and valued so they can best learn and succeed.
• Analyzes and monitors various levels of data in relation to opportunities for student achievement and wellbeing, student achievement and evaluation
• Designs, implements, and monitors responsive supports to inform education policy, programs, standards, and curriculum and guide decision making towards an equitable and inclusive approach to student assessment, evaluation
• Guides, leads, and manages educational processes (for supporting early years/Pre-Primary and P-12 education system).
• Develops and supports policies, programs, services, and curriculum through a collaborative approach involving teachers, cross branch and department staff, regional staff, and other educational partners (i.e., parents, students, and families)
• Utilizes current, evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate research, information and data, and monitors for continuous improvement.
• Leads project work focusing on areas of expertise in alignment with NS Inclusive Education Policy.
• The African Nova Scotian Equity Consultant leads teams, develops project plans, develops budgets, identifies, defines, and manages overall projects that impact multiple internal and external stakeholders; and makes effective recommendations to senior leaders

Primary Accountabilities Cont.

• Identifies, develops, and implements programs and resources which reflect African Nova Scotian and African culture, traditions, and history to meet the needs of all learners in the public-school system of Nova Scotia.
• Advises and provides 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 African Nova Scotian students
• Actively leads and participates in strengthening student outcomes by building partnerships, relationships and integrated services delivery across government, agencies, and communities, as appropriate.
• Represents EECD on committees with stakeholders to establish policies and protocols in relation to programs, services, and related legislation.
• Responds and provides direction to Ministerial requests, develops information notes for briefings and media relations as required.
• Develop curriculum resources, learning and teaching materials strategies which reflect African culture, traditions, and history for use in the public-school system

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you have a Masters’ Degree in Education, plus eight (8) years of combined experience in STEM subject areas, student assessment and evaluation, Africentric education, antiracist, and social justice education. This position requires services if French, therefore you must possess a mastery of French. Experience working with teachers and regional centres for education in the areas well-being, human rights education, equity, accessibility, and cross culture teaching is a requirement.

You have highly developed skills in proposal writing, assessment, and the development of recommendations in relation to training and professional development best practices. You have experience in transitional program planning, team case management programming, adult education programming and quality standards. You are proficient in developing and delivering professional development workshops/sessions.

You possess exceptional communication (written and verbal) and time management skills and are comfortable working under pressure to meet tight deadlines. You have strong analysis and facilitation skills with an ability to draft reports, presentations, work plans and other documents and charts to facilitate decision making. You also have previous experience in research and compiling information and data.

You work well independently, and in team environments you apply the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusive practice to all areas of your work and will support your colleagues to do the same. You have extensive knowledge in the research principles of inclusive education, specifically Black learners. You can build productive relationships with non-governmental and governmental members (both internally and externally). When dealing with colleagues, you exercise tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.

You are proficient using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), You have strong interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy while balancing priorities.

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

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. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Additional Information

This is a permanent position with an anticipated start date of August 30, 2022. The actual date is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

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.
• Countless career paths.
• Department specific flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 20

Salary Range: $3,288.59 – $3,872.05 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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