Indigenous Research Coordinator, Faculty of Social Work

Description

The Research Centre in the Faculty of Social Work invites applications for a Indigenous Research Coordinator. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Research Coordinator will report to and work in close collaboration with Dr. Marlyn Bennett and her research team on multiple interdisciplinary projects, including those connected to the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Child Well-being and the One Child Every Child initiative and others. These projects focus on the well-being, cultural identity, and neurodiversity of Indigenous children and youth through culturally grounded frameworks such as digital storytelling (DST). The RC will also provide administrative and logistical support for research activities and subprojects, including coordination of meetings, travel arrangements, environmental scans, literature reviews, and the preparation of research materials. The research team will include undergraduate and graduate students, Elders, Indigenous and allied researchers, and community partners such as IndigiSTEAM and Ever Active Schools.

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):

• Support the planning and execution of digital storytelling workshops integrating land-based learning.
• Conduct qualitative data collection through interviews, focus groups, and participant observations.
• Analyze research findings and prepare summaries, reports, and presentations.
• Contribute to the preparation of ethics applications, ensuring compliance with Indigenous research protocols.
• Conduct environmental scans and literature reviews to support research activities.
• Coordinate timelines and research deliverables across multiple projects.
• Assist PI in recruiting and coordinating an Indigenous Advisory Committee to provide strategic guidance and advice for the CRC and OCEC initiatives.
• Manage relationships with Indigenous community partners, research collaborators, and funding bodies.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, including research proposals, reports, and participant consent materials.
• Manage data storage (physical and electronic) following FOIP regulations.
• Track project progress and ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist with the production, preparation, proofreading, and editing of research materials (e.g., reports, articles, and presentations).
• Assist in preparing grant and funding applications and reporting documents.
• Support reciprocal and relational engagement with Indigenous youth, Elders, and knowledge holders, and members of an Advisory Committee.
• Work with IndigiSTEAM and Ever Active Schools to integrate DST into culturally responsive learning frameworks.
• Attend and participate alongside the research team in community consultations, conferences, and knowledge-sharing events.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for research assistants and community liaisons.
• Attend and actively participate in research team meetings, prepare meeting agenda, and accurately capture and distribute minutes; facilitate other meetings as necessary, including preparing agendas, capturing minutes and ensuring follow-up actions are clearly documented.
• Engage in meaningful communication with Elders, communities, and Indigenous organizations to ensure cultural integrity in research activities.
• Perform additional tasks as required to support Dr. Bennett and the research team's projects and initiatives.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Required:

• Undergraduate degree required; Master's degree preferred in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a research setting, including qualitative and/or arts-based research methods.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, particularly in culturally respectful community engagement.
• Proven ability to synthesize information, conduct literature reviews, and draft research reports.
• Knowledge of Indigenous research ethics, protocols, and methodologies, including the TCPS2 Chapter 9 framework.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, including youth, neurodivergent individuals, and Elders.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple research projects, partnerships, and community engagements.
• Strong data management skills (physical and electronic) following FOIP regulations.
• Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), qualitative research software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA), and multimedia tools for DST (e.g., WeVideo).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work independently with minimal supervision.
• A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required) and successfully complete the University of Calgary Driver Requirement Orientation at time of employment.

Preferred:

• Indigenous person with lived experience (self-identified Indigenous ancestry and/or extensive work with Indigenous communities).
• Experience with digital storytelling, land-based learning methodologies, and intergenerational knowledge transfer or willingness to learn these methodologies.
• Familiarity with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles and Indigenous approaches to child, family, and community well-being.
• Understanding of the intersection between neurodiversity and Indigenous pedagogies.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health impacting Indigenous children, youth, and families.

Application Deadline:  March 23, 2025

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 2.

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 Institutional Commitments ([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.