Position Overview

The Office of Indigenous Engagement invites applications for a Indigenous Project Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Administrative and Research Indigenous Lead, this position provides coordination and support of activities addressing the One Child Every Child commitment to the parallel path through Indigenous engagement in all projects, team level activities of the Indigenous accelerator, and specific research projects of the Indigenous Lead. While the work is primary from 8:30am to 4:30pm, there will be activities to be addressed outside of these work hours, including evening and, on rare occasions, weekends. The work will involve multiple demands, thus coordination and prioritization of activities will be a significant demand of the position.

The primary purpose for the Indigenous Project Manager, One Child Every Child is to provide operational, administrative, financial, event, meeting, and human resources support and coordination to the One Child Every Child Indigenous Ways of Knowing accelerator, working directly with the Indigenous Administrative and Research Lead. The Project Manager provides primary support to the Indigenous Lead in addressing team level support to the project leads of the Indigenous accelerator, support on Indigenous matters related to the parallel paths, and coordinating and supporting the Indigenous Lead research projects; and secondary assistance to the directors and coordinators on matters related to Indigenous people, communities, organizations, and researchers.

The Indigenous Project Manager plays a key role in supporting One Child Every Child's engagement with Indigenous communities and events, and advancing the concepts of parallel paths, ethical space, and Indigenous research including principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession), informed prior consent, directions of the TCPS2 chapter nine. They will assist the communications team with internal and external communications, annual events, initiatives and publications and support the recruitment and onboarding of Indigenous researchers and students.

Position Description

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

Operations and Event Management: 

• Manages One Child Every Child Indigenous accelerator operational planning and organizational efficiency including responsible for the implementation and improvement of Indigenous team level business processes, policies and procedures
• Responsible for overseeing and maintaining the overall administrative operations and events of the Indigenous accelerator at the team level, includes re-assigning administrative duties due to staff shortages or vacation coverage whenever possible.
• Arranges flights, accommodations, transportation and honorariums for invited speakers and academic recruits for One Child Every Child parallel path initiatives related to Indigenous engagement.
• Participates in strategic planning and provides support to strategic initiatives by incorporating new ideas and suggestions, evaluating possibilities, and/or support piloting of new approaches, processes, and procedures.
• Manages access to the appropriate U of C systems (share drives, shared emails, PeopleSoft, general associate hires) for all members of the Indigenous Ways of Knowing accelerator.
• Manages daily operations of the Indigenous accelerator research team office. Coordinates, manages and purchases equipment.

Financial Management:

• Financial management, performance and reporting: generates, advises and addresses variance reports and supports the development of team level budgets and project budgets of the Indigenous Lead.
• Ensures financial reporting expectations and deadlines are met.
• Provides financial document, budget and statistical report preparation for the Indigenous Lead and the project leads of the Indigenous accelerator.
• Reconciles and processes expense recoveries to appropriate funding sources for the Indigenous Lead and on a team level for project leads of the Indigenous accelerator.
• Initiates, and reviews all purchasing requisitions and expense claims for matters on a team level on behalf of the Indigenous Lead.
• Advises and answers finance and accounting questions within the Indigenous Accelerator.
• Advises members and external stakeholders regarding the efficient use of University's business systems and Indigenous protocols.
• Manages the departmental internal code structure; initiates the set-up of new activity codes and accounts.
• Prepares transactions processed by Financial Administrators (e.g. invoices, reimbursements, recoveries, interdepartmental billings, journal entries, etc.).
• Monitors expenditures against approved budgets to identify adherence to budget policies and compliance.

Project Management:

• Provides the Indigenous team with project management, leadership and guidance to ensure successful support for team level initiatives.
• Manages initiatives that support the strategic activities of the Indigenous path and accelerator, assists in achievement of consensus for important changes, and coordinates resources and support for the Team lead, supports the development of training material related to research with Indigenous people, communities, organizations, and nations and supports the recruitment and hiring of new team members. This includes the development and implementation of project/research agreements, project plans and logic models in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Direct support of the Indigenous Lead's projects including coordination of activities, response to project collaborators and community members, and supporting reporting requirements.

 Leadership & People Management: 

• Manages any direct reports (MaPS or AUPE positions) assigned by the Indigenous Lead including hiring, performance reviews, performance management, grievances, discipline, learning and professional development, terminations and succession planning.
• Works closely with the Indigenous Lead to ensure administrative work targets are set and met. The assignment of scientific work targets is at the discretion of the Indigenous researchers.
• Supports the hiring process of all support staff hired within the Indigenous accelerator. This includes HR administrative transactions (profile postings, job extensions and amendments) to ensure financial liability is limited. Reviews and approves team level employee time sheet reporting.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in Indigenous studies, health, social work, education, business, or related degree with a significant administration focus.
• 3 years direct and focussed experience working with Indigenous people, organizations, and/or communities.
• 3 years experience in managing and coordinating multiple projects and events.
• 3 years experience in administration with an emphasis on decision-making, highly developed organizational skills, and collaboration.
• 1 year of experience in an academic and/or research environment.
• 6 months of experience in a research environment that includes community-based research.
• In-depth understanding of ii'taa'poh'to'p, and its key concepts, particularly parallel paths, ethical space, and transformation.
• Understanding of and commitment to engage in Indigenous protocols, work with Elders and knowledge keepers, and Indigenous practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in executive level meetings including setting agendas, recording decisions and meeting minutes.
• Ability to work in parallel processes with Indigenous and non-Indigenous formats.
• Ability to anticipate needs, plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work with minimal direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated budget management skills with multiple large complex budgets and financial reporting.
• Experience in recruitment and hiring processes.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with a range of situations that may include complex, sensitive and confidential matters.
• Excellent ability to write clearly and concisely and provide detailed editing in ways that reflect Indigenous perspectives and approaches.
• Develops and maintains a respectful and positive working relationship with Elders, knowledge keepers, University staff and One Child Every Child collaborators.
• Excellent communicator in a team environment.
• In-depth knowledge of Indigenous research practices and processes.
• In-depth knowledge of University culture and operating procedures preferred.
• Must demonstrate professionalism, discretion, courtesy, and respect in all interactions with internal and external clients, creating a positive image for the Indigenous Ways of Knowing accelerator, the One Child Every Child initiative and the University.
• Ability to operate within a complex, multi-faceted work environment and be a strong team player.
• Capability to adjust work schedules to meet multiple demands and pressures.
• Must be flexible and able to perform multiple demands and pressures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with constantly shifting priorities.
• Must have demonstrated ability to provide a consistent high level of service.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook Mail and Calendar) and the university core business systems (e.g. PeopleSoft).
• Ability to work independently and effectively, while supporting the Indigenous team priorities and to collaborate with One Child Every Child members in setting goals achieving agreed upon goals.
• Demonstrated conflict management skills.
• Be resourceful, innovative, creative, and strategic in problem solving with a high attention to detail.
• Understanding of compliance with relevant University and Governmental privacy and confidentiality.
• Understanding of University, and of One Child Every Child's mission, values, and plans.
• Knowledge and understanding of the policies and protocols of the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Alberta Health Services would be an asset.

Application Deadline:  Review of applications will begin September  29, 2023. This posting will remain open until filled.

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 1 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

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

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. 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]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities , and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

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