Associate Director, UBC Investigations Office

Associate Director, UBC Investigations Office

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, however, may be subject to change due to operational requirements.

Locations: UBC Vancouver Campus - Vancouver, BC, Canada; UBC Okanagan Campus - Kelowna, BC, Canada

Time Type: Full time

Posted On: Posted 3 Days Ago

Job Requisition ID: JR19126

Job Category: M&P - Excluded M&P

Job Profile: XMP - Human Resources, Level E

Department: Office of Investigations | Central Human Resources

Compensation Range: $11,705.58 - $18,265.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position.

Posting End Date: November 14, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job Summary
The UBC Investigations Office (“IO”) manages formal complaint processes under UBC’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, Discrimination Policy, Retaliation Policy, Respectful Environment Statement, and the Public Interest Disclosure Act Policy (collectively, the “Policies”). The Associate Director provides leadership on the development and implementation of investigations and alternative resolution processes (“ARPs”) under the Policies. The role is responsible for the management and direction of Investigators and Student Researchers, and provides mentorship and advice to Senior Investigators. The Associate Director provides leadership to the IO and the UBC community when the Director of Investigations is unavailable.

Organizational Status
Reports to and collaborates with the Director on overall strategic direction of the IO and individual complaint management. The role is responsible for the management and direction of Investigators and Student Researchers, who report to the Associate Director. The role provides mentorship and advice to Senior Investigators, who report to the Director. When the Director of Investigations is unavailable, the Associate Director provides leadership in that capacity as needed. Works collaboratively with relevant stakeholders including Human Resources, the Equity and Inclusion Office, Student Conduct and Safety, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, Respondent Resource Specialist, Ombudsperson, Academic and Administrative leaders, and the Office of University Counsel. Liaises professionally with external entities including government, law enforcement, legal counsel, and external investigators. Operates in a complex unionized environment, with various staff and faculty unions and associations.

Work Performed

1. Collaborates with the Director on overall strategic approach to complaint management under the Policies, including establishing and implementing best practices in investigations and ARPs.
2. Develops and refines internal practice standards and tools relating to investigations. Examples include templates, checklists, training material, file management protocols, and process maps.
3. Leads the development of the IO’s ARP offerings, including identifying relevant theoretical approaches, establishing standards of practice, consulting and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, and where appropriate, facilitating ARPs.
4. Supports the Director in exercising specific decision-making powers under the Policies, including making recommendations as to whether UBC has jurisdiction to investigate, whether an ARP may be appropriate, and what measures, if any, are required to prevent retaliation or preserve safety during an investigation.
5. Drafts written decisions on behalf of the Director, applying relevant Policies and laws to complex factual scenarios.
6. Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including engaging in collaborative case management and consultation on strategic projects.
7. Provides information and instructions to external legal counsel representing UBC in litigation and Senate appeals arising from complaints under the Policies.
8. Provides leadership on the collection and reporting of data regarding complaints management under the Policies, including identifying purposes of data collection, determining what data is collected, and reporting on statistics and trends in accordance with the Policies and relevant legislation, including via the IO’s Annual Report.
9. Manages and directs Investigators and Student Researchers, including recruiting, assigning work, establishing priorities and objectives, coaching and managing performance, and providing training and development.
10. Provides mentorship and advice to Senior Investigators, including legal and procedural advice, and reviewing draft investigation reports for sound legal reasoning and writing.
11. Where required, assigns complaints to external investigators and ARP facilitators. Responsible for the management and oversight of external practitioners, including establishing terms of reference, providing instructions, and reviewing draft investigation reports.
12. Promotes the use of ARPs to support more restorative outcomes for participants to the various processes.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Associate Director is a position of significant responsibility and trust. Complaints under the Policies are often complex, serious in nature, and can lead to significant disciplinary outcomes for community members. Where complaints are not handled in a fair, efficient, accessible, and trauma-informed way, there is risk of significant harm to individual community members. Where complaints are not handled in accordance with relevant laws and Policies, there is risk of significant legal, reputational and financial harm to UBC.

Supervision Received
Works under the direction of, and in close collaboration with, the Director.

Supervision Given
Manages and directs Investigators and Student Researchers, including assigning work, establishing priorities and objectives, coaching and managing staff performance, providing training and development, and recruiting. Provides mentorship and advice to Senior Investigators, including legal and procedural advice, and reviewing draft investigation reports for sound legal reasoning and writing.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Must possess a Juris Doctor or equivalent and be a practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, or another Canadian jurisdiction that is party to a national or territorial mobility agreement. Minimum of ten to twelve years of related experience including at least five years of managerial experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Training and experience in human rights, employment and administrative law.
2. Training and experience in workplace, institutional and/or regulatory investigations.
3. Training and experience in alternative or adaptable forms of conflict resolution, including restorative justice.
4. Demonstrated knowledge and application of trauma-informed approaches.
5. Demonstrated knowledge and application of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) competencies.
6. Ability to maintain impartiality while contributing to the maintenance of a safe, inclusive and respectful environment.
7. Ability to balance many competing priorities, in particular, multiple case files, while contributing to strategic vision and direction.
8. Experience working in large, complex, unionized environments.
9. Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and good judgment.
10. Ability to identify and balance competing interests of individuals and stakeholder groups.
11. Exceptional communication skills; ability to speak and write effectively, listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and tailor language tone, style and format to match audience.
12. Demonstrated ability to support, train and mentor direct reports.