Job Posting: World Health Organization, Manila

WHO is hiring an External Ombudsman Consultant to work three days a month on a retainer basis in its Western Pacific Regional Office in the Philippines. The position works with the local WHO Ombuds stafff and is not an "external Ombudsman."

Profile of Auburn University Ombuds

Kevin Coonrod, who has served as Auburn's Ombudsperson for the past two years, was interviewed by the campus newspaper this week.  Coonrood, who works with all of the university stakeholders, clearly enjoys the diversity of his work:

Deadline for IOA 2016 International Scholarship Approaches

The International Ombudsman Association has renewed its offer of financial support to sponsor member(s) or prospective members living outside of the United States and Canada to attend its annual conference in Seattle, Washington, USA, April 10 - 13, 2016.

University of Oregon's First Ombuds to Step Down

According to a report in an unofficial faculty blog, Bruce MacAllister will step down from his position as UO's Ombudsperson at the end of this week.  MacAllister created the Ombuds Office at the University of Oregon in 2014 and successfully resolved several issues that would have compromised the ability of the office to operate to IOA best practices.

IOA Seeks Webinar Proposals

The International Ombudsman Association is inviting proposals for its 2016 Webinar Series. These webinars are widely attended by practitioners within universities, companies, not for profit agencies as well as sole practitioners. The webinars provide an opportunity to learn about the latest regulations affecting Ombuds as well as best practices for a variety of processes. 

New Ombuds Appointed at Colorado College

Paul Kuerbis was named the Ombuds for faculty and staff at the private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs in October. He reports to the Executive Committee of the College's Board of Trustees. Kuerbis, who joined the Colorado College faculty in 1973, was awarded emeriti status in 2013. In addition to teaching, he helped lead efforts to improve student support and faculty development. 

Emory University Names New Student Ombuds

In September, the private university in metropolitan Atlanta appointed Dona Yarbrough as its second-ever Student Ombudsperson. In addition to her part-time Ombuds work, Yarbrough continues as Senior Associate Dean and Special Assistant to the Provost in which she leads community and diversity efforts. 

OMV Petrom Hosts European Ombuds Meeting

OMV Petrom’s Organizational Ombudsman hosted the second annual European Ombudsman Meeting in Bucharest, on October 27-28, 2015. The meeting reunited 20 Ombuds from all over Europe including the United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mars Incorporated, Novo Nordisk and United Technologies Corporation.

Job Posting: United Nations, Uganda

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services has opened a search for a Regional Ombudsman for its office in Entebbe.  The position will manage the office, which provides conflict resolution services to resolve workplace concerns for staff in the area.

University of Michigan Task Force Recommends Ombuds for Staff

An ad hoc committee created in 2013 to review workplace climate for staff of color has recommended that U-M appoint an Ombuds for staff issues. In a report recently made public, the Staff Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee laid out six recommendations, including that the University: "Create a single entity able to receive confidential information, such as an independent ombuds, responsible for coordinating assistance from the various existing resources to help resolve concerns from staff members."  Currently, U-M has Ombuds offices only for students and faculty.

University of Arizona Hires Second Ombuds Program Director

Caitlan Hendrickson has been hired as the Ombuds Program Director at the University of Arizona. She takes over from Martha McKee who was appointed in July.  (UA has not said why McKee departed,)  Hendrickson will direct, coordinate, and train several campus volunteers (currently 17) who comprise the UA Ombuds Program.

Job Posting: Kaiser Permanente Southern California

KP Southern California is hiring a full-time Health Care Ombuds/Mediator for its medical facility in Panorama City.  The Kaiser HCOM, "functions as a trained alternative dispute professional offering patients, family members, staff & providers a conflict management program to resolve patient/provider healthcare disputes early thereby improving patient safety & reducing the costs of health care dispute resolution."

Cleveland State University Fills Ombuds Position

In September, CSU named Professor Jill E. Rudd as its University Ombudsperson.  Reporting to the Provost, Rudd will work with nearly 20,000 faculty, staff, and students.  She is tenured faculty member in the School of Communication where her area of focus is dispute resolution. Her research interests include: communication skill deficiencies and the role of aggression, negotiation in intercultural settings, and managing conflict in organizational communication. 

Oberlin College Honors its Retiring Ombuds

After 35 years of service to the private liberal arts college, Yeworkwha Belachew ("YB") retired from her position as Ombudsperson in October. Among her celebrated achievement, was establishing, nurturing, and guiding the Oberlin College Dialogue Center, which taught and provided dispute resolution services. 

Video Introduces Brown University Ombuds

Brown has posted a video about its University Ombudsperson, Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg.  Sitting in a gorgeous office, she introduces the role of the Ombuds and offers the range of reasons why people may want to visit her.  (YouTube.)

Concordia University's Ombuds to Retire

Kristen Robillard, who has served as Concordia’s Ombudsperson for more than 15 years, has announced her retirement. In addition to the thousands of people she has assisted, Robillard is being hailed as a leader within the Ombuds community. According to an article in the campus newspaper:

Job Posting: Transportation Security Administration

The Department of Homeland Security agency is hiring an Ombudsman Specialist for its Office of the Ombudsman in Arlington, VA. Located in the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement Office, the position responds to issues and concerns from TSA employees and the traveling public in a confidential, neutral, and independent manner.

University of North Dakota Hires an Ombuds

The University of North Dakota has selected Henok Elias to serve as its first full-time Ombuds. Most recently, Elias worked as an Ombudsman and Mediator for the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and as a Mediator for the Center for Conflict Resolution in the Small Claims courts of Los Angeles Superior Court. 

Interview of William & Mary's Ombuds

Tatia Granger, the University Ombudsperson at William & Mary since 2008, was the subject of an interview by the newsletter this week. In addition to explaining her role, she offers this insight:

ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference to Feature Ombuds

Two Ombuds will speak at the American's Bar Association's Ninth Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference in Philadelphia, November 4-7, 2015. Scott M. Deyo, Ombuds at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and Chair of the Coalition of Federal Ombudsman, and Kevin Jessar, Corporate Ombudsman at the American Red Cross, will present "What You Should Know About Ombuds" along with Michael J. Wolf, of the Federal Labor Relations Authority.