Job Posting: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The private research university in Cambridge has opened a search for an Ombudsperson. The search will fill a position held by Nick Diehl since 2017. The position works as a team with the other MIT Ombuds, Judi Segall. Reporting to the President, the two MIT Ombuds serve as a resource for all members of the diverse MIT community, including faculty, staff, postdocs, and students — a total population of nearly 35,000.  

Meet the New Ombuds for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

In October, Vassilena (Lena) Gashparova was named the Senior Conflict Resolution Officer and Ombudsman for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Based in Geneva, she reports directly to the Chief of Service, UNOMS and works under the general supervision of the UN Ombudsman. She provides services to OHCHR around the world.

Update: Court Enjoins Latest Title IX Rules, Including Ombuds Confidentiality

A decision last week by a federal district court in Kentucky effectively bars the U.S. Department of Education from implementing its 2024 Title IX rules nationwide. Ruling in Tennessee v. Cardona, the court found the Department's 2024 rules to be unconstitutional and in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. With this ruling, schools are likely to revert to the 2020 regulations, which did not explicitly recognize Ombuds' confidentiality. The decision likely reverses progress made in recognizing Ombuds as a confidential resource for students—a designation IOA had long advocated.

Journal of IOA: Why Ombuds Need a Charter

A new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association explains "What an Ombuds Charter is and Why it Matters." The authors are Chuck Howard (attorney and Ombuds consultant; former Executive Director of IOA, and Chuck Doran, CO-OP (outsourced Ombuds and Executive Director/Founder of MWI). They urge Ombuds to have a comprehensive written document that defines the role and relationship between Ombuds and the organization is serves. The article covers the benefits to all parties.

Article Proposes Ombuds for Graduate Medical Education

The current issue of the Journal of Education in Perioperative Medicine includes an article, "The Role of Ombuds in Graduate Medical Education: Fostering Wellness and Psychological Safety." The authors, all faculty members at Harvard or Columbia (including Jennifer Danielsson, Ombuds for anesthesia residents at Columbia), urge the establishment of Education Ombudsperson for medical residents and fellow to foster psychological safety, wellness, and professionalism in training programs. They assert that Ombuds programs that serve university students or faculty are insufficient to address the unique nature of graduate medical education. 

Indiana University Bloomington Selects First Grad Student Ombuds

Carissa Ciampaglia has been hired as first Graduate Ombudsperson (Student Support Specialist) for Indiana's flagship public university. In this new, full-time position, she will establish an Ombuds office to serve about 11,000 graduate students on the Bloomington campus and also work closely with regional graduate programs. Her office will be part of the University Graduate School.

Journal of IOA: Guidance for Ghosts

Heather McGhee Peggs (former Student Ombuds, current Patient Ombudsman, lawyer, and consultant) is the author of a new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association: "Ghosted! Why do Complainants Disappear and What Are the Ombuds’ Responsibilities When This Happens?" She provides insights into why visitors might discontinue services and an overview of some common practices of Ombuds offices in reporting on, and responding to, these situations.

Job Posting: Scotiabank

The Canadian multinational banking and financial services company is hiring a Manager for its Staff Ombuds Office. The full-time, fully remote, and bilingual position serves about 95,000 Scotiabank employees worldwide with workplace concerns. This is the third search for this position since December 2021.

Governor's School for the Arts in Virginia Names First Ombuds

Lauren Coble has been appointed the first Administrative Manager and Ombudsperson for the Virginia Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities. (The school for regional secondary-school students is sponsored by the state's Department of Education and is affiliated with Radford University.) In this new role, Coble's work will focus on "promoting mutual respect, conflict resolution, and collaboration among the program’s diverse population." 

Journal of IOA Article Offers Insights from Neuroscience

A new article in the Journal of the International Ombuds Association explains how Ombuds can use research from neuroscience to work with visitors. The authors are Francisco Espejo-Elgueta, the Regional Ombudsperson for the World Health Organization European Region Office; Saner Ahmedov, a former UN mediator and conflict resolution specialist; Laure Esteveny, the former CERN Ombuds; and Lee Raymond [bio unavailable].

Job Posting: UN World Food Programme, Panama

The United Nation's food assistance agency is hiring a Consultant Ombudsman for its Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services in Panama City. The initial contract is for 11 months and is renewable. Travel within the region is required.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Appoints First Ombuds

César Kagame has been named the inaugural Ombuds for Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments, the agency that regulates food, plants, and animals in Canada. Beginning this week, he will establish a program to serve over 7,000 CFIA employees stationed across the country. 

Meet the New Ombuds for Richland School District One

Last July, Basil Harris was named the Ombudsman for the public school district for Columbia, South Carolina. (The website for his office was updated this week.) As the Ombuds, Harris provides services to parents, students, district employees, and community members with school-level issues and concerns that interfere with teaching and learning and a positive school climate. 

IOA Commits to Certification Changes in 2025

The International Ombuds Association will make significant changes to its certification process, introducing a new program accreditation while retooling individual certification. These updates aim to make certification more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the Ombuds profession's evolving needs. Applications for Program Certification will open in June 2025, focusing on environmental compliance with IOA Standards of Practice. 

Job Posting: Loyola Marymount University

The private Jesuit university in Los Angeles is seeking its first full-time University Ombudsperson for faculty and staff. It appears that the new position will fill a position previously held by Ariane White on a part-time basis for the past two years. Meanwhile, Roy Pereira continues as the first Ombuds for Students. The position is located within the President's Office.