Trustee, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (“CMHR” or “Museum”) was established as a federal Crown corporation on March 13, 2008. As the first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights, its mandate as described in s. 15.2 of Museums Act is “To explore 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 enables visitors to explore the importance of human rights for all by creating innovative and inspiring encounters on site, online and around the world, while applying the highest professional and ethical standards to care for, share and lift up human rights stories.

The CMHR is located on ancestral lands, on Treaty One territory. The Red River Valley is also the homeland of the Métis. The water in the Museum is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. The Museum’s relationship to these lands and all Indigenous Peoples is at the centre of all it does and will continue to guide the Museum’s work.

The Museum is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage. As a national museum, the CMHR plays an essential role in:

• preserving and promoting our heritage at home and abroad;


• contributing to the collective memory and sense of identity of all Canadians; and


• inspiring research, learning and entertainment that belong to all Canadians.

The Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and nine other trustees. The Board has the overall responsibility for stewardship of the Museum and is expected to provide strategic guidance to management and oversee the activities of the organisation. It has a duty to act in the best interests of the Museum and to exercise care and due diligence. The Board is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis.

In addition, the Board of Trustees has a primary responsibility to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are applied to the operations of the Board and of the CMHR as a whole.

The members of the Board also serve as ambassadors for the Museum, galvanizing support for the Museum and inspiring a culture of philanthropy.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

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.

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.

To be considered, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements:

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;


• A professional accounting designation (CPA) would be considered an asset;


• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors/trustees for an academic, private, not-for-profit or public sector organization;


• Experience in governance, human resources and financial management would be considered an asset;


• Experience in working in or providing consulting/advisory services to museums and/or other cultural institutions would be an asset;


• Experience in fundraising activities within cultural institutions and developing self-generated revenues would be considered an asset; and


• Experience in the process of identifying principal corporate risks and in ensuring that management has implemented the appropriate systems to manage risk would be an asset.

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the legislative framework, mandate and activities of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, as well as its strategic priorities and public policy issues;


• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities for Canadian cultural institutions;


• Knowledge of Diversity & Inclusion practices and Indigenous Engagement in an institutional setting;


• Knowledge of government relations, human resources, or promotion and marketing would be an asset;


• Knowledge in the areas of information technology, technological evolution related to digital and the supporting environment of national creative content would be an asset;


• Ability to identify, analyze and define priorities and strategies;


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Board members and stakeholders;


• Ability to actively participate in debate and discussions among Board members; and


• Ability to recognize and address emerging issues and trends, to seize opportunities, and to advance ideas and innovation.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following Personal Attributes:

• A commitment to promoting respect, equity, inclusion, and to modelling anti-racist and accountable behaviours


• Sound judgment, integrity, and impartiality


• High ethical standards


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Diplomacy, tact and discretion

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.


• A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of the Board if that person is not a Canadian citizen (statutory).


• The Board as a whole meets at least five times a year, The Board’s Committees meet by videoconference in advance of each Board meeting. You must prepare for the meetings and participate actively. Attendance of additional meetings held via conference call or video conferencing is also required.


• The average time commitment for this position is 18-22 days annually.

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 (more information available here) will begin on April 11, 2022. Candidates should 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 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.