Indigenous Research Advisor, IRST, Research Services

Position Overview

The Indigenous Research Support Team within Research Services invites applications for an Indigenous Research Advisor. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months(based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST) is a project launched within Research Services to address identified challenges being overcome by the Indigenous faculty members at the University of Calgary, as well as challenges associated with research being carried out in Indigenous environments. The overarching intention of the project is to strengthen and identify existing resources for Indigenous communities and stakeholders, university researchers, and further partners to promote collaborative, reciprocal, and culturally responsive research.

The Indigenous Research Advisor will report directly to the IRST's Manager, collaborating extensively with the Grants and Awards and Institutional Programs units within Research Services as needed. The incumbent will be relied upon to provide oversight and expert advisory consults with complex projects as required, with emphasis on facilitating Indigenous research, including process development and improvement.

The incumbent acts as a champion for research and ethical considerations that are premised in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and connecting. The incumbent must have a high level of tact and discretion, and be cognizant of the potential for error or harm related to the scope of work, requiring tasks to be completed with accuracy and accountability. 

This role supports the continued indigenization of the University of Calgary. Click here to see more job opportunities with an Indigenous scope. 

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Provides support for the development and submission of research funding applications falling within the incumbent's portfolio, including atypical and complex projects. More typical project assistance may be required of the individual, as dictated by operational needs.
• Contributes to application review processes with consideration given to funding proposals, including facilitating application development processes, ensuring compliance with funding agency application development guidelines, and reviews proposals for strategic content and accuracy of budgetary information, and ensuring compliance with University and funding agency guidelines (i.e. procurement, ethics, facilities development, etc).
• Assists with developing and executes, in collaboration with other teams in Research Services, project plans pertaining to major funding competitions, proactively identifying project risks, developing action item lists and project status reports.
• Provides strategic leadership within their portfolio, and contributes to organizational development needs to support the values and direction of the research project.
• Contributes to the development and design of policies and procedures aligned with current and emerging needs based on the direction of the research project and its evolving needs.
• Manages communication flow between agencies and researchers regarding specific research projects, proactively developing communications strategies and measuring the effectiveness and making changes in collaboration with the researchers
• Liaises with legal services when necessary to monitor contract development as related to competitions and help resolve outstanding issues from a program perspective.
• Proactively identifies risks related to the completion of research funding projects and develops mitigating strategies.
• Acts as a point of contact for stakeholders requiring information relating to specific projects within funding competitions and is a key catalyst in ensuring inquiries are responded to in a timely manner.
• Works with others to develop and deliver presentations across campus surrounding program offerings, opportunities for improvement at the institutional level, lessons learned, etc.
• In collaboration with the applicable teams, develops and implements a plan for external training and engagement opportunities surrounding operation and programming.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor or Masters degree required or commensurate work experience.
• 5 years of related experience (or combination of Indigenous related research or research administration landscape).
• Highly developed organizational, analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills, and capacity to work as a team member are critical.
• Demonstrated capacity to traverse research projects and quantitative and qualitative methodologies from and across a wide variety of disciplines.
• A strong understanding of the Canadian research funding landscape is required, including a strong awareness of the Tri-Council agencies and their affiliated policies and regulations.
• Experience supporting researchers or project leaders in an academic, industrial, or community setting.
• Expert knowledge in local, national and international guidelines, recommendations and legislation relating to Indigenous research.
• Expertise in university-based research collaborations with Indigenous communities and leadership is essential. The incumbent will have comprehensive understanding and experience in navigating complex and competing priorities within Indigenous contexts.
• Demonstrated cultural competencies that affirm Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, and incumbent is recognized by Indigenous communities as a trusted and respectful colleague.
• The candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with the internal and external community.
• Ability to act decisively and to exercise a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to assess, plan, coordinate and work under the direction of shared leadership required.
• Must demonstrate professionalism, discretion, courtesy and respect in all interactions.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; in particular, MS Word, MS Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint are required.
• Comfortable working with technology and internet-based applications and portals

Application Deadline:  Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.