Pay Equity Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is an independent regulatory body that is responsible for administering the Canadian Human Rights Act, which protects Canadians from discrimination based on any of the thirteen prohibited grounds of discrimination, such as race, sex and disability. The Canadian Human Rights Commission receives discrimination complaints, facilitates mediation to resolve complaints, and, where a complaint cannot be settled or it is determined that further examination is warranted, refers the complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

The Pay Equity Commissioner’s primary role is to provide leadership and direction for the administration and enforcement of the Pay Equity Act. This includes establishing a dedicated pay equity unit that will be developing educational materials and tools, facilitating the resolution of pay equity disputes, investigating complaints, and determining applications under the Pay Equity Act. The Pay Equity Commissioner, as the leading authority on pay equity matters in Canada, is also tasked with identifying and reporting on systemic or emerging pay equity issues. Finally, the Pay Equity Commissioner is a de facto member of any division established by the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission to decide on complaints alleging a discriminatory practice related to pay equity under section 11 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Diversity and Official Languages

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in business, public administration, economics or law, or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training and/or experience;


• A graduate degree from a recognized university in business, public administration, economics or law would be considered an asset;


• Experience in management or leadership in an organization at the senior level within a government, academic or business context;


• Experience in the interpretation of legislative and regulatory requirements;


• Experience with methods of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation;


• Experience in stakeholder management and outreach, including building and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders, senior officials from government and strategic partners within Canada and internationally; and


• Experience with the operation and conduct of a regulatory agency or another organization operating in a regulatory environment would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of pay equity and related matters, such as gender discrimination, the gender wage gap, and the Pay Equity Act;


• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the legislative framework in which it operates;


• Knowledge of the federal jurisdiction, including an understanding of its complexity and the operational aspects of workplaces in this jurisdiction;


• Knowledge of strategic corporate planning, monitoring and the evaluation of corporate performance;


• Knowledge of unionized and non-unionized work environments would be considered an asset;


• Ability to build and nurture effective and collaborative working relationships with peers and staff, as well as with relevant government departments;


• Ability to demonstrate leadership and champion innovation in solving problems, building consensus, facilitating the resolution of disputes and adapting to change;


• Ability to undertake public outreach using superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to represent the Canadian Human Rights Commission in matters related to pay equity with a wide range of organizations, including the media and governments;


• Ability to create a sense of common purpose and direction and build an environment of accountability and excellence in performance when managing employees and leading the organization; and


• Ability to extract the key issues from complex and rapidly changing environments and take a forward-looking approach to addressing issues, with a broad perspective and long-term timelines to improve outcomes for Canada and Canadians.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Strong, strategic and innovative leadership


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Superior judgement


• Strong interpersonal and engagement skills


• High level of initiative

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• In order to be appointed to this position, a person’s knowledge and experience in relation to pay equity matters will be taken into consideration (statutory).


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel within Canada and internationally to attend meetings and participate in international forums in support of the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s activities related to the Pay Equity Commissioner’s mandate.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on April 4 2019. Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.