Black Affairs Commissioner

  • Contract

Company Description

L'Association Étudiante de l'Université de McGill est présentement en période d'embauches. Avec plus de 20,000 membres, l'AÉUM a pour rôle de représenter les étudiants et de leur offrir des services depuis 1908.

The Student's Society of McGill University (SSMU) is currently hiring. With over 20,000 members, SSMU's role is to represent students and to offer services since 1908.

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Black Affairs Commissioner coordinates all activities and work relating to Black affairs at SSMU. The Black Affairs Commissioner will strive to represent Black students to the SSMU and will be responsible for engaging and adequately representing Black students through consultation of the Black Affairs Committee. The Black Affairs Commissioner is mandated to support Black equity by supporting, organizing, and facilitating campaigns, workshops, and conferences aimed at uplifting and meeting the needs of Black students on campus.

The Black Affairs Commissioner will also be responsible for coordinating and effectively managing the relationship between SSMU and Black student stakeholders. Such activities will include community-building, as well as utilizing the SSMU’s existing services to support Black students. The Commissioner will work to dismantle systemic racism both within the SSMU and McGill University. The Commissioner will work to manage other positions within the Black Affairs portfolio, if it exists, to support Black equity at both SSMU and McGill University. Such work includes administering the Black Equity Fund, if it exists, consulting Black student clubs, groups, and associations, coordinating with Black faculty and staff, and acting as a point of contact for SSMU members who wish to learn more or consult on Black issues.

Responsibilities 

  1. Chair and coordinate the activities of the SSMU Black Affairs Committee including aiding in programming, budgeting, and advocacy efforts;
  2. Serve as the SSMU representative on the McGill Joint-Board Senate Committee on Equity, Subcommittee on Racialized and Ethnic Persons, if the undergraduate seat is vacant;
  3. Attend regular meetings of the Black Students’ Network, or if unable send a staff member of the Black Affairs team; 
  4. Advocate for political and organizational change within both the student body and the McGill University administration, in collaboration with student association representatives, including but not limited to the Vice-Presidents (External Affairs and University Affairs) and the Black Students’ Network;
  5. Manage, coordinate, hire, and support relevant staff within the Black Affairs portfolio including, but not limited to, the Black Affairs Coordinator. 
  6. Administer the Black Equity Fund
  7. Provide consultative services to the SSMU Executive and, if relevant,  the broader Society;
  8. Help revise the SSMU Equity Policy, and draft an SSMU Policy on Black Solidarity;
  9. Support the  Black Affairs Coordinator. in conducting research to identify barriers to Black student success at McGill and facilitate campaigns that target and overcome those barriers;
  10. Report twice per semester to the SSMU Board of Directors;
  11. Present an end-of-year report to the SSMU Legislative Council;
  12. Act as a resource for racialized students and BIPOC-oriented student groups;
  13. Coordinate communication as a liaison between Black students, Staff, and Faculty.

Qualifications

  1. Connection to local Black communities;

  2. Ability to mobilize Black and non-Black communities;

  3. Knowledge of SSMU and McGill governance structures is an asset;

  4. Experience running campaigns and organizing events;

  5. Knowledge of high-profile student activism at McGill is an asset;

  6. Diligence and impartiality in execution of duties;

  7. Organized with attention to detail;

  8. Ability to make fair and equitable decisions under pressure;

  9. Strong communication skills both in English and French an asset;

Additional Information

  • Paid position: $17.20 per hour;
  • Hours: An average of 12 hours per week;

At the SSMU, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. If you require accommodation(s) for the recruitment/interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

 

Confidentiality: 

It is understood and agreed that all matters to the SSMU and those clubs associations or groups forming part of the SSMU are to be kept in the strictest of confidence, and nothing regarding the operations, policies and general activities of the SSMU or its constituent groups shall be divulged to any third party without the express consent of the General Manager or the Executive Committee of the SSMU.