We are excited to share that PRI is looking for interested candidates and nominations to fill a new Ombudsperson role, appointed by the PRI Executive Director.
The connections and contacts of our students, researchers, and staff—you! —are imperative to the success of PRI; therefore, we ask that you take a few moments to review this newly established role at PRI and consider if it is right for you or nominate a PRI co-worker or retiree. Only full-time employees within the Institute or qualified retirees of PRI will be considered for this position. The expected effort for the role is 20% time as part of the staff member’s regular service activities or up to 8 hours per week for a re-hired retiree.
The PRI Ombudsperson is authorized to confidentially receive complaints, concerns, or inquiries about alleged acts, omissions, improprieties, and/or broader systemic problems within the ombudsperson's defined jurisdiction. The Ombudsperson will be tasked with listening, examining issues and any relevant policies, offering options, facilitating resolutions, and developing and promoting equitable resolutions. All advice and feedback provided by the PRI Ombudsperson will be considered as informal, independent, and non-binding, and should maintain neutrality and impartiality.
The selected candidate for this role will be expected to maintain confidentiality except in cases where reporting is legally required. Note: The Ombudsperson will not be exempt from Title IX reporting requirements.
The individual must have excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills. The successful candidate must be able to build a strong reputation within the PRI community. They will be seen as resourceful, fair, credible, trustworthy, and culturally competent and have experience working with multi-level stakeholders and diverse populations.
They must have a solid understanding of appropriate and inappropriate uses of power and be comfortable interacting with a wide range of people regardless of status or position. Previous experience with staff management, researchers and staff mentorship, and adherence to personnel policies and procedures will be key to the success of this role.
Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a vision statement, and names and contact information for three references. Letters of nomination ideally will be accompanied by the individual’s curriculum vitae. PRI will contact the nominees regarding interest in the role and additional materials. All requested information must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources of PRI, Amy Dillman, at adillman@illinois.edu by September 30, 2023, to be fully considered for this role.
