Programs & Pathways Officer

Date Posted: 03/27/2024
Req ID: 36685
Faculty/Division: Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
Department: Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00056186

About us:

The Access Strategy & Partnerships Office (ASPO), within the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, established April 2022, has a tri-campus mandate committed to supporting partners both internal and external to the University who support existing and prospective students to access and thrive in post-secondary education. U of T has long-standing commitments to access and outreach as evidenced through the 135+ diverse access and outreach programs across the institution, in partnership with communities, school boards and other stakeholders.

ASPO works alongside all divisions, many campus community partners, and an incalculable number of faculty, administrators, and students to identify strategic opportunities, tools, resources, and approaches required to address and respond to university-based access-focused priorities. We aim to be responsive, resourceful, and innovative. We do this by administering the Access Programs University Fund (APUF) to build, sustain and increase the capacity of partners to offer access and outreach programs at the University; convene, facilitate, and support the developing of key partnerships to enhance access goals and objectives across the University, and; infuse access principles in existing University policies and programs and clarifying access pathways through supporting research and evaluation focusing on access to post-secondary education.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Access Strategy & Partnerships Office, the Programs & Pathways Officer is responsible for supporting the development and success of U of T’s internal access programs and pathways. In general, the incumbent will manage projects, advise on strategic opportunities, develop networks, communications, and events, provide solutions, and advance the objectives and priorities of U of T’s Access Strategy & Partnerships Office (ASPO).

Specifically, the Programs and Pathways Officer will: (a) act as the main contact for internal access program partners; (b) coordinate the annual Access Programs University Fund (APUF) funding process; (c) provide guidance and support to U of T programs and divisions with existing access programs; (d) provide support and guidance to U of T programs and divisions who would like to create new access programs, including funding, staffing, and other project details; (e) support internal programs to resolve issues as they arise; (f) support internal programs to develop and execute sustainability strategies; (g) work with the Director develop and implement a tri-campus data and knowledge mobilization strategy; assisting programs to gather required data where necessary; (h) develop and host learning opportunities for internal partners; etc.

The Programs & Pathways Officer will coordinate, assist with and advance projects, initiatives, and daily activities within the Access Strategy & Partnerships Office that require knowledge of confidential information about staffing, priorities, and other strategic institutional initiatives. The role of the Programs & Pathways Officer will continue to evolve, and the individual must be willing to respond to the given priorities of the day and work cooperatively in a challenging and dynamic environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance.
• Tracking the status of partnership development initiatives, activities, and outcomes.
• Planning and overseeing the implementation of an evaluation framework for programs and initiatives.
• Keeping well-informed on theory and praxis related to access to post-secondary education, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Leading seminars and/or workshops.
• Planning and implementing project phases.
• Developing and editing content for marketing, newsletters, websites, handbooks and/or promotional materials
• Coordinating funding application processes and implementation of agreements once funding is approved.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree (in Social Sciences, Higher Education, Adult Education, or Community Development preferred) or acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum five years of related experience in access program development and administration and community development (preferably in a post-secondary environment).
• Knowledge and experience with applying evidence-based approaches, models and promising practices in post-secondary access, outreach, and retention.
• Experience leading complex and multi-stakeholder projects and successful track-record in building and strengthening relationships with partners that support strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing new initiatives and processes.
• Demonstrated professional experience in understanding complex issues related to institutional policies and practices.
• Experience delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities, or initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience with media (traditional, new, and social media).
• Proven leadership and participation in committee work and ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures, governance structure, educational policies, policy formation, and an understanding of the University’s organizational structure
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) to build and strengthen relationships with partners and to liaise with senior administrators to navigate complex, confidential, and sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to service excellence with the University’s mission and broader committee, high level of integrity and discretion with confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office (must be able to set up templates and macros in Word and Excel, set up Excel spreadsheets including complex formulas, and prepare sophisticated PowerPoint presentations), Access (design and maintenance of databases), and scheduling software.
• Strong research, organizational (planning, project management and task coordination), and interpersonal skills.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Understanding of and experience engaging with and supporting high-impact and experiential learning educational practices.
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint, content management systems (WordPress), Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Suite.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Discerning
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Team player

Closing Date: 04/10/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 14 -- $88,290 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $112,911. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.