IOA seeks proposal for its 13th annual conference. Set for April 23-25, 2018 in Richmond, VA, the event attracts Ombuds and others interested in the field from diverse sectors around the world and have varying levels of experience. They represent professionals in academia, corporations, government, and other organizations. Proposals from conference speakers are due by September 29, 2017.
Amanda Dean has joined the Ombuds Office for Students and Postdoctoral Appointees at Berkeley. She will fill-in for Sunny Lee, Assistant Ombudsperson, for the next 11 months. Dean previously worked at General Assembly in Atlanta, a global company that provides career development and education.
The Office of the Ombudsman for the United Nations' global development network is accepting applications for an unpaid internship in New York. The temporary position is full-time and will last three to six months. Duties are expected to include: research on ADR mechanisms; analysis of conflict management systems; and compiling/drafting reports.
The International Ombudsman Association expands its selection of training programs with five courses in Baltimore, MD in late October 2017. The offerings are aimed at novice and experienced Organizational Ombuds, but are open to the public.
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Office of the UN Ombudsman and Mediation Services says that it handled 2,633 cases in 2016, an increase of 10% over the prior year. The increase was due to continued growth in cases from the Secretariat while the volume from UNHCR and funds and programs have remained relative stable over the past few years.
The professional association of political science students and scholars in the U.S. has appointed two Ombuds for a two-year pilot program. As the inaugural Ombuds, APSA has named Carol Mershon, Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, and David Rasch, the Stanford University Ombuds.
The University of California Davis continues its seach for two full time Ombuds positions.
In addition to these two openings, the Ombuds Office is excited to announce that Lauren Bloom has joined on a part-time basis as an Associate Ombudsperson.
The American Bar Association is offering a discounted membership to all Ombuds in North American who are already members of the International Ombudsman Association, U.S. Ombudsman Association, Coalition of Federal Ombuds, Forum of Canadian Ombudsman, or the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons. The fee of $140 includes both the ABA membership of $95 and Dispute Resolution Section dues of $45.
The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has announced the agenda for its 44nd annual meeting at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. Taking place on November 12-15, 2017, the event attracts Ombuds from beyond California and the higher education sector with its inclusive, casual, and intimate tradition. The co-convenors this year are Marcia Gee Riley (University of California Berkeley) and Natalie Sharpe (University of Alberta).
The private university near Boston, MA is hiring a part-time Ombuds Officer (17-18 hours per week) for a two-year contract. The Ombuds program at Brandeis was launched in 2015 in response to student protests about diversity on campus. Currently, two Ombuds, Elena Lewis and Susan Parker, serve about 7,500 faculty, staff, and students.
The century-old association of professional scientists created its Office of the Ombudsperson in 2011. The program was established, "to hear and to respond appropriately to complaints of unprofessional behavior by any member of the ASM at its annual meeting or in the governance of the ASM through its committee structure."
Kim Killu has been named the next Faculty Ombudsperson for the UM regional campus in Dearborn. Killu is a professor of Special Education and takes on the Ombuds role as a volunteer. Her appointment will run through the Summer of 2020.
At its Annual Meeting in New York City today, the American Bar Association House of Delegates passed a resolution that: "Encourages greater use and development of ombuds programs that comply with generally recognized standards of practice as an effective means of preventing, managing, and resolving individual and systemic conflicts and disputes."
Virginia's Department of Human Resource Management, Office of Equal Employment and Dispute Resolution is hiring a Workplace Conflict Specialist. As part of the Workplace Conflict Consultation and Mediation Program, the position provides early intervention services, including mediation, training, consultation, coaching, facilitation, investigation, and/or other related services as needed. The entry-level job is located in Richmond.
The public university in Williamsburg, VA is hiring its next Ombudsperson. The full-time position serves all campus employees and reports to the Provost's office. Tatia Granger has been W&M's Ombuds since 2008.
The public university in Burnaby, Vancouver with an enrollment of 35,000 is hiring its next Student Ombudsperson. The position is funded jointly by the University, the Graduate Student Society, and the Simon Fraser Student Society. The search will fill a position held by Laura Reid since last fall.
IOA is soliciting proposals for a "replicable core course which will introduce ombuds professionals to conflict theory" -- a new two-day course to be offered for the first time in April 2017. The solicitation is part of a large plan to develop a set of standardized core courses that can be offered repeatedly and by a variety of trainers.
Nevada's largest university has opened an internal search for its second-ever Ombudsperson. The full-time position serves about 32,000 faculty, students and staff, and follows IOA Standards of Practice. The UNLV Ombuds reports to the University President.
