News release details

NOTICE OF VACANCY

CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Chairperson (part‐time position)

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights was established as a federal Crown corporation under the Museums Act in March 2008. Located in Winnipeg, this national institution and member of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio is responsible for exploring the subject of human rights, with special but not exclusive reference to Canada, in order to enhance the public's understanding of human rights, to promote respect for others and to encourage reflection and dialogue. The museum will, through research, exhibitions, programs and Web sites, navigate complex human rights issues (past and present, Canadian and international, failures and successes) in fulfilling its mandate. 

The Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of a Chairperson, a Vice‐Chairperson and nine other trustees. The board has the overall stewardship of the Museum and is expected to provide strategic guidance to management and to oversee the activities of the Museum. It has a duty to act in the best interests of the Museum and to exercise care and due diligence. The chairperson is responsible for the proper conduct of the board meetings in such a way that the Museum carries out its mandate and objectives effectively, ensures good value for public funds, remains viable and holds management accountable for its performance. 

The successful candidate must possess a degree from a recognized university or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job‐related training and/or experience. Experience on a board of directors/trustees, preferably as chairperson, is required, as well as experience at the senior management level within the private or public sector. The ideal candidate possesses experience in the development of strategies, objectives, plans, best business practices and corporate governance. Experience in dealing with the federal government, preferably with senior government officials, as well as experience in dealing with cultural institutions, is considered an asset. Experience in fundraising activities is also considered an asset.

The ideal candidate should possess knowledge of the legislative framework, mandate and activities of the Museum. Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the chairperson, the board and the director of a similar sized organization is necessary. The selected candidate should possess knowledge of sound governance principles, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of performance. The successful candidate is financially literate and possesses knowledge of the federal government's expectations with regard to accountability and reporting. Knowledge of the federal government's priorities to set the strategic goals for the Museum is required. Knowledge of the cultural, patrimonial and/or recreational tourism sectors is considered an asset.

The position requires superior leadership and management skills to enable the board to accomplish its work effectively. The selected candidate should be able to lead discussions, foster debate among board members, facilitate consensus and manage conflicts, should they arise. The ability to anticipate emerging issues and develop strategies to enable the board to seize opportunities and solve problems is essential. The qualified candidate should possess the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the Museum's management, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, his office, the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Museum's key stakeholders and partners. Superior communications skills, both written and oral, are required, as well as the ability to act as a spokesperson in dealing with the government, the media, and the Museum's stakeholders and partners, and other organizations.

The selected candidate must be an innovative and strategic leader and a person of sound judgment and integrity. The chosen candidate must possess and adhere to high ethical standards and have superior interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy. The suitable candidate should also be motivated by challenge and change.

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

To be appointed as chairperson of the board, a person must be a Canadian citizen. The board meets approximately 6 times per year in Winnipeg and participates in conference calls approximately 4 times per year. The successful candidate should expect to commit to the position an average of 25 days annually.

The Government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada's regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disabled persons and visible minorities.

The selected candidate must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website, under "Reference Material" at www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca.

The selected candidate will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. For more information please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website at http://ciec-ccie.gc.ca.

This notice has been placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on its website at http://humanrightsmuseum.ca.

Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by July 27, 2012, to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, 59 Sparks Street, 1st Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A3, 613–957-5006 (facsimile), GICA-NGEC@bnet.pco-bcp.gc.ca (email).

English and French notices of vacancies will be produced in an alternative format (audio cassette, diskette, Braille, large print, etc.) upon request. For further information, please contact Publishing and Depository Services, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5, 613–941-5995 or 1–800-635‑7943.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

• A degree from a recognized university or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job‐related training and/or experience.

Experience

• Experience on a board of directors/trustees, preferably as chairperson; 
• Experience at the senior management level within the private or public sector; 
• Experience in the development of strategies, objectives, plans, best business practices and corporate governance; 
• Experience in dealing with the federal government, preferably with senior government officials, is considered an asset; 
• Experience in dealing with cultural institutions is considered an asset; and 
• Experience in fundraising activities is considered an asset.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the legislative framework, mandate and activities of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; 
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the chairperson, the board and the director of a similar sized organization; 
• Knowledge of sound governance principles, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of performance; 
• Financial literacy and knowledge of the federal government's expectations with regard to accountability and reporting; 
• Knowledge of the federal government's priorities to set the strategic goals for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; and 
• Knowledge of the cultural, patrimonial, and/or recreational tourism sectors is considered an asset.

Abilities

• Superior leadership and management skills to enable the board to accomplish its work effectively; 
• Ability to lead discussions, foster debate among board members, facilitate consensus and to manage conflicts, should they arise; 
• Ability to anticipate emerging issues and develop strategies to enable the board to seize opportunities and solve problems; 
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the Museum's management, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, his office, the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Museum's key stakeholders and partners; 
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral; 
• Ability to act as the Canadian Museum for Human Right's spokesperson in dealing with the government, the media, the Museum's stakeholders and partners, and other organizations.

Personal Suitability

• Innovative and strategic leader 
• High ethical standards and integrity 
• Tact and diplomacy 
• Sound judgment
• Superior interpersonal skills 
• Motivated by challenge and change

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

Conditions of Employment

• To be appointed as chairperson of the board, a person must be a Canadian citizen; 
• The Board meets approximately 6 times per year in Winnipeg and participates in conference calls approximately 4 times per year; and 
• The successful candidate should expect to commit to the position an average of 25 days annually.