Safeguarding Research Specialist, Research Security

Position Overview

The Research Services Office in the Office of the Vice-President (Research) invites applications for a Safeguarding Research Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 year (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 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 RSO, Research Security Divison 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 a division 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 Safeguarding Research Specialist reports to the Manager, Due Diligence, 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).

Position Description

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

• Identify, review and process safeguarding research / research security risk assessments forms
• Conduct independent pre-review and communicates requests to researchers related to conformance with application standards, while also advising of appropriate methods and/or accepted practices to address these issues
• Works with compliance team to monitor projects and partners and to identify new or evolving risks
• Works with the academic team to draft, develop, and provide advice and tips on best software practises and by including step-by-step process resources for conducting and reviewing risk assessment forms
• Stays up to date on changes and risk mitigation plans that are required to secure government funding
• Take the lead on more complex files, delegate as needed to more junior positions as well as provide guidance, and escalate to the management team as required.
• Be the expert in sanctions and expert controls
• Stays up to date on best practises both within Canada and internationally as to how best conduct due diligence related to partnership agreements and shares best practises to collect open-source information from the various sources.
• Be able to use second language skills to conduct more thorough reviews of the risk assessment forms using open-source intelligence gathering
• Update best practises and policies on how to conduct due diligence of partnership agreements and provide information and assistance to the research community
• Contributes to the development and process of approval of written standard operating procedures and guidelines including institutional SOP's
• Participates in local, provincial, and national organizations associated with the risk assessment and review of research safeguards

Qualifications / Requirements:

• 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
• Demonstrated experience in a research environment, preferably at a major university or college, government office, and in administrative procedures and computer applications
• Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience
• Working ability in a second language (Cantonese, Russian)
• Strong knowledge of research security
• Experience in open-source intelligence gathering and an understanding of export controls and sanctions
• 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

Application Deadline:  February 17, 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 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.