Manager, Due Diligence, Research Security, Research Services Office

Position Overview

Research Security in the Research Services Office invites applications for a Manager, Due Diligence. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

As a Top 5 research university, the University of Calgary is committed to sharing new knowledge and discoveries generously. Our scholars are working to address society's challenges proactively and making a positive impact in the world around us.

Research Services is comprised of 75+ staff that include 5 directors, 15 managers, 5 divisions and 14 high performance units that generate over $500 million in annual sponsored research. Research Services Office (RSO) works with the University of Calgary’s research community to advance research enterprise to increase sponsored research revenue, reduce financial, reputational risk and manage compliance.

Within the Research Services Office (RSO), Research Security acts a resource to faculty and to the research enterprise to navigate new and changing requirements from the federal and provincial governments and international regulations on national security guidelines related to research partnerships. Research Security will serve as a one-stop shop in providing information and guidance on how to safeguard research from theft, interference, or unwanted transfer of knowledge and that results in ways individuals and teams do not intend. Research Security is comprised of three units that includes: Academic and Outreach, Due Diligence and Compliance, Mitigation, and Special Investigations. This position will work within the Due Diligence team. 

The team leads the University to build capacity and create expertise in how we do open-source intelligence gathering, understand complex export control and sanctions rules and ensure robust vetting processes and procedures are implemented. Using a risk-based approach, this team will educate and help build awareness of methods of use to perform this work and to ensure alliance with other teams across the University such as Cyber, IP, data management and Security Office.  

The Manager, Due Diligence reports to the Director, Research Security and will support the University's research mission to provide significant content and process expertise to support preparation, submission, review and on-going administration of risk assessments for researchers across the University eco-systems (researchers, faculty members, administrators). As the manager, you will support and guide your team providing advise to researchers in their review and preparation of risk assessments. This role has extensive knowledge of National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and compliance with Institutional policies and procedures. The incumbent provides the team with vetting processes and creates a methodology to vet risk assessment forms using open-source intelligence gathering methodologies.

Position Description

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

• Establishes the due diligence policies and vetting procedures becoming a center of expertise on open-source intelligence gathering
• Creates a risk matrix looking at various resources across the university and documents risks and partners
• Oversees the review of applications and provides research, risk assessment forms and creation of mitigation forms for quality and compliance with granting agency regulations
• Liaises with other units within the University of Calgary to develop coordinated compliance mechanism and vetting processes
• Supervises and directs the workload of a team of 2 or 3 in support of their mandate
• Hires, trains, provides mentorship opportunities, conducts performance reviews, disciplinary actions up to and including termination of staff
• Exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion to ensure the development of risk identification / mitigations strategies related to partnership agreements and others with national security considerations minimize institutional financial and reputational risk
• Manages institutional processes related to developing / executing project management strategies for the development of major and complex partnership agreements
• Builds and oversees the process for developing/implementing identification and mitigation strategies for complex files on sensitive areas of research or partners
• Reviews, researchers and provide information on complex files and cases using open-source intelligence gathering techniques
• Ensures compliance reports are developed on time, accurately, and in accordance with government guidelines (federal, provincial or international) and internal controls and processes

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A University degree is required, either an undergraduate degree combined with significant work experience in a relevant area, or a graduate degree with work experience in an academic or funding agency environment, a legal office or working with open-source intelligence gathering and research
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience and a minimum of 5 years managing teams and projects 
• Demonstrated experience in a research environment, preferably at a major university or college, government office, and in administrative procedures and computer applications
• Strong knowledge of research security
• Experience in open-source intelligence gathering and an understanding of export controls and sanctions is essential
• Broad knowledge of technical procedures and terminology commonly used in open-source intelligence gathering and safeguarding research activities
• Strong knowledge of Canadian Safeguarding Research standards and regulations (i.e. National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships, Export Controls, Data Management Strategy, Cyber Security Plans)
• Demonstrated ability to apply high level critical thinking consistently and effectively, sound decision-making and communication skills in a high volume, fast-paced environment is required
• Highly proficient use of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is required and various OSINT Software)
• Strong research skills with an ability to prepare detailed guidance resources of due diligence procedures is an asset
• Project management experience is an asset as well as preparing workflows

Application Deadline:  February 12, 2023

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 classified in the Management Career Band, Level 2 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.

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.