Count Down to Seventh Annual Ombuds Day on October 10, 2024

The theme for this year's Annual Ombuds Day is "Ombuds: Here to Hear You." The goals of Ombuds Day are to improve public awareness of ombuds, to connect Ombuds in their communities, and to encourage greater use of Ombuds programs and services. The event created by the American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Section has been embraced by Ombuds and professional associations around the world. 

Job Re-Posting: Cal Poly Pomona

In November 2023, California State Polytechnic University in Pomona announced a national search for a Director of Conflict Resolution Services and University Ombuds. Ten months later (during which time other Ombuds consulted with campus groups and provided educational events, and many experienced Ombuds submitted applications), the university has reopened the search. The position will lead the development of a new program for students, faculty, and staff as "part of the newly created organizational unit of People, Culture, and Institutional Affairs." The position reports directly to the university's president. 

University of the Bahamas Names Next Ombuds

Wendyi Poitier-Albury has been appointed the new Ombudsperson for the public university based in Nassau. She follows Marisa Mason-Smith, who established the program in 2019. Poitier-Albury will serve faculty, staff, and students at UB campuses across the Lucayan Archipelago. She will practice to IOA standards. 

Job Posting: Defense Logistics Agency

The U.S. Department of Defense's combat support agency is hiring a Program Analyst (Ombudsman). The position, "Provides an independent, informal, neutral, and confidential forum to hear and assist in addressing concerns of employees" (of which there are over 26,000 worldwide) and other stakeholders. Given the general secrecy about staffing within federal defense and intelligence agencies, it is hard to say whether or not this is a new program. Telework is available and some travel is required. 

Call for Reviewers: IOA 2025 Annual Conference

The International Ombuds Association's Conference Committee seeks volunteers to review presentation proposals for the upcoming 20th Annual Conference on April 7-9, 2025, in Miami, Florida. IOA is a volunteer driven association and this offers a chance for a discrete and focused opportunity to make a meaningful impact to benefits other members. 

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Announces Ombuds

Elizabeth Field has been hired as the new Ombuds for ICANN, the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases that undergird the Internet. she follows Herb Waye, who served in the role from July 2016 until Krista Papac was appointed as the Interim Ombuds in October 2023. Field reports directly to the ICANN board and generally follows IOA standards. However, in some cases, the Ombuds may initiate a formal investigation and make formal recommendations.

Call for Presenters: IOA 2025 Annual Conference

The International Ombuds Association is inviting presentation proposals and speaker suggestions for its 20th Annual Conference, which is set for April 5-9, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Proposals are due by October 23, 2024, and will be considered by the IOA Conference Committee Programming Subcommittee. Proposals will be evaluated in consideration of several criteria and can range in length from full or half day (pre-conference) to 60 or 15 minutes. (IOA Call for Presentations.)

Job Posting: Texas Department of Public Safety

The Texas state agency responsible for law enforcement and vehicle regulation is hiring a full-time Dispute Resolution Specialist. Based in the Dispute Resolution Office in Austin, the position will, "Perform advanced (senior-level) conflict management and dispute resolution work" for employees of the department. The work is generally confidential and requires independent judgment. The position is eligible to for telecommuting and up to 20% travel may be required.

Job Posting: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The multilateral development bank based in Beijing has opened search for its next Ombudsperson. The position provides Ombuds services to bank staff globally and also leads the Respectful Workplace Advisors Program. The search will fill a position currently held by the Interim Ombuds, Huan Chen. The AIIB will serve an initial, three-year appointment.

Howard University Selects First Faculty Ombuds

Kevin Gerard Linder has been named the inaugural Faculty Ombuds for the private university in Washington, DC. His appointment caps national searches in 2016, 2018, and 2024. He will establish a program that has been required by the faculty handbook since 2019 and will report to the Office of the President. Previously, Howard had a Student Ombuds, but that program appears to be defunct.

Job Posting: World Health Organization, Republic of the Congo

WHO is hiring a Regional Ombudsperson for an initial two-year contract. Based in the capital city of Brazzaville, the full-time position will serve all WHO personnel and report directly and independently to the Regional Director for Africa. The position will practice to IOA standards.

Job Posting: Amsterdam UMC

Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, the Neatherlands' leading teaching and research medical center is hiring two positions in its Ombudsman and Confidential Affairs office. The Project Leader is a full-time position that is responsible for overall project management and administration. The Ombudsman and Confidential Advisor is a part-time position (28 hours/week) will provide focus on cases involving UMC employees.

Job Posting: Phillips Academy

The highly selective, private boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, has reopened its search for an inaugural Ombuds. The posting appears changed from the prior search in March 2023. The part-time position (approximately 8-10 hours per week) will provide services to faculty, staff, and administrators and report to the head of school. The position is hybrid and will work both on campus and remotely. It is expected that the position will follow IOA standards.

IOA Offers In-Person Foundations Training in Rhode Island

Since 2020, the International Ombuds Association's signature, training course has been offered primarily online. This year, only two of the Foundations classes will be offered live. In July, the course was offered only for practicing and new Ombuds. The second Foundations is open to anyone interested and is set for October 28-30, 2024, at the Omni Providence Hotel in Providence, RI. Registration is now open and registration is capped at 36.

Meet the Inaugural Student Ombuds at Southern Oregon University

In January 2023, SOU unveiled an Ombuds program for its 6,200 students public, liberal arts university in Ashland. Erica Knotts and Rebecca Williams provide services jointly. Located within the Office of Student Life, they practice to IOA standards. Meanwhile, Rachel Jochem and Cody Christopherson, separately serve as the Faculty Ombuds.

SAP to Host European Ombuds Conference

The European Group of Ombuds and Mediation Representatives will gather at SAP's headquarter in Walldorf, Germany, next week for their annual conference. The annual, three-day event for professionals from large European and international organizations offers an opportunity to come together, share best practices, and collaborate on the evolving role of Ombuds in today’s world.

Australia Set to Create National Student Ombuds Program

A package of legislating pending in the Australian parliament will establish a new National Student Ombudsman. The program will provide students with a federal mechanism to complain about higher education providers, especially cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment on university campuses. 

Rutgers University Appoints Next Ombuds

Kaamilyah Abdullah-Span has been named the new Ombudsperson for the State University of New Jersey. She will will restore a program that has been dormant since 2021, when the long-time Ombuds, Sybil James, moved into the Dean of Students role. Abdullah-Span will serve a student body of nearly 70,000 and report to the University Provost. (A separate Ombuds Office serves students and house staff at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.)

COFO Opens Registration for 2024 Annual Conference

Registration is now open for the 2024 Coalition of Federal Ombuds Annual Conference, which will be held for both in-person and virtual attendees from 9 AM – 5 PM Eastern time on October 25, 2024. The in-person portion of the conference will be held at the Clara Barton Auditorium at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA. Registration is free.

Job Posting: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The U.S. government corporation that insures bank deposits seeks two Internal Ombudsman Specialists. The FDIC ran a search last month which was substantially similar. Job details for the current openings are unchanged except that the posting states the "candidate selected will be offered a term appointment not-to-exceed four years." The full-time positions serve about 6,000 agency employees and report to the FDIC Internal Ombuds, Robert D. Harris in the Chairman's office in Washington, DC. 

Meet the Ombuds for Amnesty International, Italy

In December 2023, Vittorio Indovina became the Organizational Ombudsperson for Amnesty International Italia. As a contractor for the international non-governmental human rights organization, he developing an Ombuds program and is providing dispute resolution services to staff in discrimination and harassment cases and other interpersonal conflicts. 

Job Posting: Texas Southern University

The public HBCU in Houston has opened a search for a full-time Ombuds Officer. The position will report to the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and serve faculty, staff, and students, a total population of over 10,000. Previously, TSU had only a Student Ombudsman (and it is not clear who served in the role). The position will practice to IOA standards. 

University of Tennessee Knoxville Ombuds Posts Fifth Annual Report

Cases increased significantly according to the 2023-24 annual report from the Office of Ombuds Services at UT Knoxville. Campus Ombudsperson, Lisa Yamagata-Lynch, said that her office handled 659 contacts with visitors. The office includes Associate Ombudsperson, Brooke Wichmann, Educational Program Coordinator, Duren Thompson, and a graduate research assistant, Mohammad “Shovon” Rahanur Alam.

Duke University Hires Associate Ombuds

Marlo Goldstein Hode has been selected as the Associate Ombuds for the private university in Durham, North Carolina. She joins University Ombuds, Jessica Kuchta-Miller, CO-OP, and serve all faculty, staff, and students. 

Internship: SAP

The Global Ombuds Office for the German multinational software corporation is seeking student for a six-month internship in Prague. The paid, part-time position will focus projects that support the work of the Ombuds Office, including preparing new trainings and promotional materials. After an initial six-month internship, the position may transition to a student employee. Up to 10% travel may be required.

ACCUO Selects Interim Leaders

Following recent changes in its executive executive committee, the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (Association des ombudsmans des universités et collèges du Canada) has named interim replacements. Permanent committee members will be appointed at the Annual General Meeting in October 2024.

Job Posting: Central State University

The public land-grant university in Wilberforce, Ohio (the state's only HBCU), is hiring its first Director of the Office of Student Ombuds. Reporting to the President's Chief of Staff, the Ombuds will serve about 5,500 enrolled students. In a State of the University address last week, Central State's President, Morakinyo A.O. Kuti, said, "We will also launch the Office of Students Ombudsman in October to help students navigate their University journey more efficiently." The university's website does not indicate what motivated the creation of an Ombuds program, but one of its accrediting bodies (the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), endorsed Ombuds in 2015.

Toronto Metropolitan University Adds an Assistant Ombuds

In May 2024, Jemmy Erhiaganoma was selected as the new Assistant Ombudsperson for TMU. She joins Acting Ombudsperson, Gemma Kerr, and Assistant Ombudsperson & Outreach Officer, Edmun Natkunarajah. TMU's Office of the Ombudsperson serves 48,000 enrolled students, plus applicants and former students, and follows ACCUO and FCO standards of practice.

Virginia Commonwealth University Ombuds Announces 2024 Conflict Resolution Day Event

Since 2013, VCU's Ombudsperson, William King, has sponsored a National Conflict Resolution Day program. This year, his signature event on October 17, 2024will feature a keynote by Reese Ramos, University Ombuds for Virginia Tech. The theme for his address is "The Power of the Dark Side – Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable." The rest of the day includes panel discussions and group work on managing conflict with other campus leaders. As usual, the event is free and open to the public.

US News & World Report: "What Students Should Know About College Ombuds"

The media company known for its influential ranking of colleges and graduate schools, has published an article explaining the role of campus Ombuds. The piece includes sections on: History of Ombuds Offices; What an Ombuds Does; How an Ombuds Helps; When To Use Ombuds; When Not to Use Ombuds; Issues Brought to Ombuds; and Resolution That Can Be Expected.

Job Posting: CVS Health (OhioRISE)

CVS Health is hiring an Ombuds to work in the Ombuds Office for OhioRISE, the statewide, Medicaid behavioral health plan for children and youth. The full-time, remote position will provide services to members and community partners following Organizational Ombuds standards. (The job is not related to the discontinued CVS Ombuds Office that served internal employees.)

New APSA Leader is an Ombuds Advocate

Kimberly A. Mealy has been named the Executive Director of the American Political Science Association, the leading professional association for the study of political science. In addition to her many years of leadership within APSA, Mealy has been an advocate for Organizational Ombuds. In 2017, she advocated for the creation of the APSA Ombuds program. In 2019, she authored an article that highlighted the role of APSA Ombuds as part of a social justice framework. Since then, Mealy has continued to advise associations and academic institutions on resource and policy development, including the role of Ombuds. (Political Science Now.)