Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer

About World Learning / The Experiment for International Living / School for International Training

The World Learning Inc. family includes the global development and exchange nonprofit World Learning; The Experiment in International Living, the nation’s most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students; and School for International Training (SIT), offering accredited undergraduate study abroad programs through SIT Study Abroad and internationally focused master’s degrees and a doctorate through SIT Graduate Institute.

Position Summary

The Chief DEI Officer (CDEIO) will lead all efforts to foster greater diversity, equity, and inclusion for World Learning Inc. from conception, development, through implementation. Building upon a strong organizational foundation of social inclusion, justice, and experiential learning, the CDEIO will work to build an inclusive culture across our global platform.

Impact of the Job

This role will have a profound impact across the World Learning Inc. family, ensuring that the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is woven through its culture, policies, processes, and programs. The Chief DEI Officer’s work will touch hundreds of staff, faculty, students, and participants each year, with an exciting opportunity to influence the international education, exchange, and development sectors in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsible For

•    Serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing guidance and advice to the CEO, President, and leadership team.

•    Developing and evolving industry-leading DEI strategies (in partnership with internal stakeholders) for World Learning Inc. that embraces and incorporates anti-racist, inclusive, equitable, and justice-centered management practices.

•    Designing, integrating, and delivering solutions, products, policies, and tools across internal functions that are measurable, effective, and provide value.

•    Collaborating with Human Resources and internal recruiters to build a robust strategy to attract, recruit, develop, retain, and build a pipeline of diverse talent.

•    Working with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, & Learning (MERL) team to create and manage appropriate metrics (with benchmarks) and data collection processes that:

o    measure, analyze, and report progress against agreed indicators; and, 

o    evaluate the impact of organizational DEI policies and initiatives.

•    Cooperating with HR to support the design and implementation of relevant professional development and training opportunities for leadership, faculty, and staff that advance DEI objectives.

•    Collaborating with HR and Marketing & Communications to appropriately integrate DEI content, messaging, and practices into the organization’s internal and external communications.

•    Co-chairing DEI Committee of World Learning Inc. staff and faculty and facilitating its work 

•    Supporting World Learning / SIT / The Experiment programs’ DEI efforts, inter alia by:

o    increasing recruitment of more students/participants from diverse backgrounds

o    integrating gender equality/social inclusion (GESI) approaches across global exchange, education, and development programs, and 

o    ensuring faculty and staff can meet students’/participants’ DEI needs while on World Learning / SIT / Experiment programs

•    Occasional additional and unforeseen duties as assigned, within the scope and level of the position.

Accountable For

•    Implementation of World Learning Inc. DEI strategy.

•    Cultivation of a healthy and collaborative work environment that encourages and supports engagement, personal/professional development, diverse perspectives, and a sense of belonging for faculty and staff in the US and overseas.

•    Development of an organizational culture that consistently applies a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to the internal workings and external programs of World Learning Inc.

•    Consolidation and growth of World Learning Inc.’s reputation as an organization committed to principles and values of diversity, equity, and inclusion through its mission to advance social justice and peace through education, exchange, and development.

•    Identification, development, & fostering of relationships, together with the External Engagement & Advocacy and University Relations Teams   with relevant external organizations, thought leaders, partners, and stakeholders, representing World Learning / SIT on DEI issues, building its brand and reputation in the field.

•    Successful navigation of complex global organization with unique NGO and/or higher educational governance models.

•    Close internal coordination of DEI initiatives between World Learning / School for International Training / The Experiment in International Living.

Stakeholders

Internal: CEO, President of SIT, SVP Legal & General Counsel, CFAO & SVP of Finance, VP of Human Resources & Administration, VP of Programs, VP External Engagement & Advocacy, Associate VP of Marketing & Communications, Faculty & Staff DEI Committee; Board of Trustees

External: World Learning / SIT partner organizations; other DEI professionals in the international education, exchange, and development communities; InterAction; MIUSA, Alliance for International Exchange, Basic Education Coalition

Equivalent education/experience can substitute for all required qualifications except where there are legal constraints noted, such as a license/certification/registration or requirements for a US Government contract.

Required Education & Certifications

•    Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, which includes at least 3 years of leading and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

•    Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Required Knowledge/Experience

•    Experience developing customized and innovative solutions to address DEI challenges and meet DEI objectives.

•    Extensive knowledge of strategies, policies, and tools to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

•    Track record of developing and implementing DEI strategies, in partnership with stakeholders from multiple levels and functions in an organization.

•    Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex organizational setting.

•    Experience directly managing a team of individuals in a multicultural (or international) setting.

Required Skills

•    Strategic thinking and decision-making skills; strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills; a customer-focused mindset.

•    Strong, concise, and compelling written and verbal communication skills with the capacity to engage, inspire to action, and articulate clear vision and direction (including in public settings).

•    Awareness of power dynamics and how they can positively/negatively affect organizations.

•    Ability to pair business and emotional intelligence with data-oriented analysis.

•    Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, videoconferencing services (e.g., Zoom, WebEx), and general principles of cloud-based collaboration/document management tools.

Required Behaviors

•    Receptive, flexible, and collaborative leadership approach that contributes to a positive team environment.

•    Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with people from all backgrounds, genders, cultures, and viewpoints.

•    Demonstrated effectiveness at listening and responding with empathy in a diverse environment, building consensus, and effectively managing conflict.

•    Ability to effectively cope with change; able to shift comfortably, decide and act without having the total picture; comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

•    Ability to build trust and establish rapport as both a leader and a colleague, with comfort in providing, receiving, and incorporating feedback to/from colleagues.

Desired Qualifications

•    Experience working in an international or multinational organization with staff located in disparate parts of the world.

•    Experience working in an academic environment, especially a higher education institution.

•    Working knowledge of principles of experiential learning and cross-cultural communication.

Required Documents to Apply

•    Resume

•    Cover Letter

•    References (3)

Please note that the selected candidate will be required to provide documentation demonstrating authorization to live and work in the United States for completion of the USCIS I-9 form.