Research and Education Advisor, IWoK

Description

The Department of Indigenous Engagement in the Office of the Provost & VP Academic invites applications for a Research and Education Advisor, Indigenous Ways of Knowing (IWoK). This Full-time, Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Project Manager, IWoK, the Research and Education Advisor plays a key role in supporting One Child Every Child's (OCEC) IWoK Accelerator. The Research and Education Advisor ensures that the needs of leadership and strategic goals are met and maintained. In addition, the IWoK Accelerator Research and Education Advisor engages in special projects related to project finance management, change management, operations and educational initiatives as directed by the OCEC Indigenous team. This position is instrumental in designing and developing experiential learning opportunities for Indigenous students through the IWoK Accelerator.

One Child Every Child Program (OCEC), a Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) initiative, with a vision for children to be the healthiest, most empowered and thriving in the world. In 2023, CFREF invested $125 million in University of Calgary's One Child Every Child: A Transformational Child Health Research Initiative. This ground-breaking initiative will transform child health research in Canada, promote Indigenous-led knowledge creation and self-determination, and drive discovery and innovation. It is bringing together researchers, community partners, health-care providers, equity deserving groups, educators, trainees, interested parties, and Indigenous communities to build the foundation for global excellence and leadership in research to enable every child and community to thrive.

One Child Every Child is a Parallel Paths project that has Indigenous and non-Indigenous Paths. All members of the program will perform training on work with Indigenous people, communities and data. Experience with Indigenous community-based work is an asset for members of the OCEC research team.

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

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

Financial Management 40%:

• Acts as the primary advisor on the IWoK Accelerator accounting, financial management, and reporting
• In collaboration with the Project Manager, generates, advises, reports and balances various project budgets
• Liaising with external clients, and reporting to government funder (CFREF - Canadian First Research Excellence Fund)
• Prepare financial documents, budgets and statistical reports
• Manage research operating budgets for various grants and provide monthly reconciled financial statements ensuring agency compliance
• Responsible for the implementation and improvement of business processes, policies and procedures related to financial operations
• Ensures that financial reporting expectations and deadlines are met
• Reconciles and processes expense recoveries to appropriate funding sources; Initiates, reviews and submits expense claims
• Initiates the set-up of new activity codes and accounts

Project/Events Coordination & Onboarding 30%:

• Develops, implements and communicates project plans (such as the Indigenous student experiential learning opportunities) as part of the One Child Every Child IWoK Accelerator
• The Research and Education Advisor is responsible for goal setting, and accountable for managing project priorities and deliverables, including:
  • Coordinating learning sessions and events
  • Staging professional learning activities
  • Coordinating the budgets for project and events
  • Oversee and manage all onboarding for summer students and OCEC award recipients
  • Direct support to summer and graduate students
  • Event coordination (internal, external and other initiatives)
  • Assists with internal and external communications and publications
  • Coordinates and organize travel arrangements for faculty and visiting lecturers' transportation, itineraries, agency/hotel accommodations and completing all necessary forms and requisitions for funding and/or honorarium.
  • Indigenous community point person for catering and event logistics
  • Liaises with internal and external officials

Operations Management 30%:

• Develops and implements change management recommendations, as a subject matter expert, while exercising professional discretion and judgment in navigating university policies and processes
• Contributes to 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, in alignment with strategic goals of OCEC
• Manages operational planning and organizational efficiency
• Acts as resource to others including: supervising, training and mentoring summer and graduate students
• Preparing overviews of community research and developing community reports
• Participates in committees, regular and ad hoc, at the request of the Academic Department Head, and may represent as project lead
• Responsible for overseeing and maintaining the overall administrative operations of the IWoK Accelerator

Other duties as assigned
 

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum Undergraduate degree in business, education, Indigenous studies, or a related area. A combination of education and equivalent experience is required; Master's degree or other professional degree is preferred
• Ten years of progressively responsible operations and management experience
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting, budgeting and the preparation of summary and community-centered reports
• A minimum of 3 years of project management and event planning experience
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working within a team, preferably in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated budget management skills with multiple large complex budgets
• Ability to develop, recommend, and implement new work processes, procedures, and strategic and operational plans
• Ability to create an effective business case for change management is preferred
• Knowledge of Indigenous research ethics, protocols, and methodologies. This includes key application of TCPS2 and Chapter 9: Research with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples.
• Inter-cultural competency working with and for First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples, communities, and organizations. Must demonstrate professionalism, discretion, courtesy, and respect in all interactions with internal and external clients creating a positive image for the Institute
• Evidence of highly developed organizational and decision-making skills
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely, excellent editing skills
• Demonstrated expertise in setting agendas, recording decisions and meeting minutes
• Experience in making travel arrangements is an asset
• Understanding of the policies and protocols of the University of Calgary, ii'taa'poh'to'p the Indigenous Strategy, and of OCEC's mission, values, and plans
   

Application Deadline:  October 14, 2024

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.

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

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

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 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.