International Ombudsman Association Selects New Management Company for 2019

The IOA Board of Directors has awarded a contract to SBI Association Management for professional services, effective the first of the year. SBI is located in Seattle and serves 38 clients, including nine other international associations. SBI has 32 employees and is accredited through the AMC Institute.

Budget Cuts Lead to End of Pasadena Schools Ombuds Program

After just two years, the public school district in Southern California has shuttered its Ombuds office due to budget cuts. It was one of a relatively few IOA-compliant public school programs. Esther C. Salinas, who was the inaugural PUSD Ombuds Officer has become the HR director for the school district in Yuba City California. (LinkedIn.)

New Handbook Surveys Public Sector Ombuds

The just-published Research Handbook on the Ombudsman, edited by Marc Hertogh and Richard Kirkham, looks at Public Sector Ombudsman and their work as important administrative justice institutions in many countries around the world. The publisher's blurb says: 

Halliburton Adds an Ombuds

The Halliburton Dispute Resolution Program has hired Jai Calloway as an Dispute Resolution Analyst to perform Ombuds work. Calloway is new to conflict resolution, but has a background in legal support, qualitative research and training development. 

Confederation College Ombuds Recaps 2017-18

In her annual report, College Ombudsperson Kim Morgan said that the past academic year, "was marked by a five-week long academic strike which impacted not only students and their families but funders, faculty and staff." Despite the strike and the disrupted academic calendar, Morgan's caseload rose slightly to an all-time hige of 136, up about 2% from the prior year. The number of non-traditional students declined significantly, and was offset by an increase in the number of students ages 21-25. She also noted an increase in the number of telephone appointments.

Ombuds and the Exit Interview

A recent article in the U.S. News & World Report mentions Ombuuds as possible resource for confidential exit interview. However, the article points out that some other exit interview processes may not be as confidential. The article also quotes Vik Kapoor, an Ombuds with FEMA, who also works as a career coach. He recommends employees prepare for an exit interview so they can be honest, but constructive. 

Job Posting: Safer Care Victoria

The Department of Health and Human Services agency that oversees and supports health services is hiring its second Independent Facilitator. Based in North Eastern Victoria, the position is an "independent, neutral and confidential resource for employees of designated Victorian health services, providing informal assistance and support to employees regarding workplace issues, concerns or complaints." The job practices to IOA standards. 

Job Posting: Rhode Island School of Design

The top-ranked fine arts and design college in Providence has opened a search for its first Ombudsperson. The part-time position will provide services to students, faculty and staff who have concerns arising from or affecting their work and studies at RISD. It is located within the Office of Social Equity & Inclusion, but few other details about the Ombuds program have been publicized.

Job Posting: County of Santa Clara

The county in Silicon Valley, California is hiring a Senior Mediator with significant Ombuds duties. In addition to providing ADR services (including Ombuds work), the Senior Mediator also provides professional training and development efforts in the fields of ADR and/or Ombuds. 

Public Service Commission of Canada Appoints Ombuds

The government agency that safeguards diversity and bilingualism in the Canadian public service has named Maria Tsourounakis as its Ombudsman. The new program was created in response to a report by the Privy Council Clerk that reviewed the civil service culture and handling of harassment harassment are handled, and which recommended the creating of an Ombuds program. Tsourounakis will serve as a confidential, neutral, independent, and informal resource for PSC employees with workplace issues. 

Columbia University Ombuds Reports Healthy Increase in Visitor Traffic

Last week, Columbia University Ombuds Officer Joan C. Waters presented her annual report to the faculty senate. Although the report is not published, the Columbia Spectator provided this summary:

Job Posting: Austin Community College District

The community college system in Central Texas has re-opened its internal search for its first Faculty Ombudsperson. The position is open only to current full-time faculty members. The ACC Faculty Ombuds will report to the provost and provide confidential and informal assistance to faculty members and students with concerns about a faculty member. An early search ran in May 2018 and coincided with an external search for a Staff Ombuds, which has not been announced yet.

Job Posting: United Nations, Uganda

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a Senior Conflict Resolution Officer to be based in Entebbe.  This position heads the Regional Ombudsman's Office and supervises three Conflict Resolution Officers and one Administrative Assistant. The position is currently held by Youssoupha Niang.

UC Riverside to Host Southern California Ombuds

University of California Riverside Ombuds Andrew Larratt-Smith is hosting a meeting of the Southern California Ombuds Group on Monday, December 3rd.  Geared towards members of the Ombuds community and those interested in Ombuds work, the event starts at 8:30 am with breakfast (the program starts at 9 am) and run until about 3 pm. Immediately following, UCR will be hosting a lecture and reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ombuds Office. 

Job Posting: United Nations, New York

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a full-time Conflict Resolution Officer for a permanent position. The position will provide Ombuds and other conflict resolution services to UN headquarters staff in New York, but some travel may be required.