Associate Ombudsperson

About the role

We are seeking an Associate Ombudsperson who will report to the Johns Hopkins University Ombudsperson. The Associate Ombudsperson serves as a confidential, impartial, independent and informal resource for staff, graduate and postdoctoral students, fellows and programs, consistent with the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Associate Ombuds provides confidential advice, informal conflict resolution, communication facilitation, support navigating the university system, and coaching on a variety of issues. These issues might relate to university policies and practices, conflicts with supervisors, colleagues, mentors, authorship disputes, concerns with educational climate, bullying or harassment issues, or any other university-related matter that is of concern to the visitor to the Ombuds Office. The Associate Ombuds will adhere to the principle of “informality”, meaning that they will not take part in any formal investigative or adjudication processes, nor will they purport to make any binding decisions or policy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a confidential, neutral, impartial, and informal resource to staff, graduate and postdoctoral students, fellows and programs, and assist in resolving concerns as appropriate.
• Manage a portion of the Ombuds Office caseload by listening to and discussing the questions, complaints, and concerns raised by members of the university community; provide answers to questions when possible, support visitors to the office in developing their options, and help to identify the relevant policies, offices, or individuals who may be resources to further assist with the issue.
• Work closely with the University Ombudsperson to develop an approach to responding consistently and appropriately to complex and challenging visitor concerns.
• Coach visitors to the Ombuds Office in having difficult conversations with others including supervisors, colleagues, mentors, other students/fellows, or other JHU affiliates.
• When desired by the involved parties and when appropriate to the situation, facilitate constructive conversations and/or mediate conflicts between individuals or groups.
• For situations involving concerns