IOA and ABA Form Joint Taskforce for Ombuds Model Act

The International Ombuds Association and the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution's Ombuds Committee have created a joint taskforce to coordinate future work on the proposed Organizational Ombuds Practices Act. The model legislation is intended to serve as a template that individual states may adopt, establishing a statutory framework for Ombuds offices and, if enacted by state legislatures, providing legal protections consistent with the IOA's Standards of Practice. The new taskforce will develop recommendations regarding next steps for advancing the proposal. 

Internship: Pan American Health Organization

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Pan American Health Organization is accepting applications for a part-time internship based in Washington, DC. The intern will assist the PAHO Ombuds, Fernando Navarro Sánchez, with communications, research, training materials, surveys, and other office projects. The position is intended for students interested in multilateral organizations, organizational culture, learning design, and workplace well-being.

New Service Offers Data Analytics Support for University Ombuds

Isabel Brooke has launched Insight Ombuds Analytics, a niche service that provides data management and reporting support for university Ombuds offices. The venture offers assistance with case tracking, data analysis, and annual reporting, with the goal of reducing administrative burdens and allowing Ombuds to devote more time to assisting visitors. 

Job Posting: Harvard University

The private research university in Cambridge is hiring an Ombuds I to join an office headed by Melissa Brodrick that currently includes Adam Barak Kleinberger, and three consulting Ombuds. The full-time, hybrid eligible position is based in Cambridge.

University of California Ombuds Update Systemwide Statement of Best Practices

The University of California Ombuds Offices have released a revised Declaration of Best Practices, replacing the prior version adopted in 2017. The updated guidance applies to Ombuds Offices at all UC campuses and the UC Office of the President. While reaffirming the core principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality, and informality, the revision adds extensive guidance on Ombuds office structure, reporting relationships, staffing, selection of Ombuds, and conflicts of interest. The document also updates terminology to align with current IOA standards, replacing references to “neutrality” with “impartiality” and reflecting the association's current name. 

Berkeley Ombuds to Retire

Marcia Gee Riley, who has served as Student Ombuds for the University of California, Berkeley since August 2008, retires this month. Current Assistant Ombuds, Zackary Hull, will step up as Interim Student Ombuds while the campus makes plans for a search. 

ENOHE Elects 2026 Board

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced its new leadership elected during its its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków this week. 

The new officers and board members are:

JAMS Pathways Adds Ombuds Services

JAMS Pathways, a division of the large ADR provider JAMS that launched in 2023, has added Ombuds services to its portfolio. JAMS Pathways now offers outsourced Ombuds services alongside workplace assessments, conflict coaching, mediation, facilitation, and training. According to the company, its Ombuds provide confidential, independent, impartial, and informal assistance to employees and other stakeholders while helping organizations identify systemic issues and emerging trends. JAMS does not explicitly reference IOA standards in its materials.

Job Posting: University of California, Davis

The public research university near Sacramento is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position will join an office led by Director Lauren Bloom and including Associate Ombuds Jenny Vaccari and Casey Woods and Assistant Ombuds Katie Ranney, that serves about 75,000 faculty, staff, and students. The hybrid position, based in Davis with some work in Sacramento, will fill a vacancy left by Lindsey Ensor. 

Meet the Inaugural Faculty Ombuds at Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology appointed Sahra Sedigh Sarvestani as its first Faculty Ombuds in June 2023. (The webpage for her office went live this week.) The public research university in Rolla, Missouri established the part-time position to serve its 400 faculty members with workplace concerns and resolving conflicts. 

European Central Bank Adopts Privacy Policy for its Mediator/Ombuds

The European Central Bank has published a privacy statement for its Mediation/Ombuds Function, the independent service that assists staff in resolving workplace concerns. (Spyridon (Spyros) Antonelos was appointed the inaugural ECB Mediator/Ombuds in 2023.) The statement outlines strict limits on the collection, processing, and retention of personal data. Furthermore, the statement identifies how the IOA Standards of Practice are aligned with EU data protection law. 

Cornell University Selects Assistant Ombuds

Cornell has hired Maria Zambos as an Assistant Ombuds in its Office of the University Ombuds. She joins University Ombuds Bruce Lewenstein and Assistant Ombuds Ati Alipour in the office that serves students, faculty, and staff across the university. 

Job Posting: Boston University

The private research university in Massachusetts serving an Associate Ombuds. The position reports to University Ombuds Francine Montemurro along with Associate Ombuds Lailul Ikram. The search will fill a position previously held by Erin Wright. 

University of Calgary Names Student Ombuds

Yan Zhang has been appointed Student Ombuds for the University of Calgary, the public research university in Alberta. Zhang will serve as a resource for more than 36,000 students and succeeds Karen Quinn, who served as Interim Student Ombuds for less than one year. 

Job Posting: U.S. Secret Service

The federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security is hiring an Organizational Ombudsman. Based within the USSS Office of the Director, the Ombuds will (re)establish and manage a new Ombudsman Program for internal stakeholders to provide confidential and impartial assistance to employees and managers, informal conflict resolution, identification of systemic workplace issues, and advising agency leadership on organizational improvements.