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Indigenous Research Advisor (Designated Position)

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Indigenous Research Advisor (Designated Position)
Department/Unit Ocean Frontier Institute
Research Project Transforming Climate Action
Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posting Number GP28-23
Employee Group Grant-Paid
Position Type Term
Duration of Contract (if applicable) 3 years, with possibility of extension
Employment Type Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0
Salary $64,824 - $86,841 per annum (35 hours per week)
About the Organization
The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), led by Dalhousie University, is one of the world’s most significant ocean science research and training collaborations with partnerships extending globally, across many sectors such as university, government, research institutes, industry, NGO, and philanthropic. OFI manages several ocean research and training programs, including the Canada First Research Excellence Fund program, Transforming Climate Action: Addressing the Missing Ocean (TCA), a partnership between Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. For more information about OFI and the Transforming Climate Action program, visit transformclimateaction.ca and ofi.ca.
Job Summary
Reporting to the TCA Scientific Director, the Indigenous Research Advisor will play a key role in the governance and management of the Transforming Climate Action program through developing, managing, and implementing strategy to ensure TCA meets its Indigenous engagement and collaboration goals.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement strategy to create and strengthen relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada focused on: i) meeting Indigenous communities where they are; ii) understanding their unique worldview and supporting opportunities to explore Indigenous Knowledge, and iii) creating meaningful opportunities for direct engagement and participation in research at the intersection of ocean-climate-people that can deliver results for Indigenous communities.
  • Foster meaningful and respectful partnerships and communications with a goal of fostering long term research collaborations with Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada.
  • Provide advice and reports to TCA governance committees on the TCA Indigenous Engagement Strategy, Indigenous research priorities, and implementation progress through attendance at meetings, and respond to enquiries as needed.
  • Lead the development of community-specific protocols, knowledge-sharing agreements, collaborative research agreements and other governance documents to ensure successful research partnerships and collaborations among Indigenous and non-Indigenous research groups.
  • Work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and Indigenous communities to co-develop and co-launch Indigenous-led research, including development of general and community-specific engagement plans tailored to the unique needs, desires, and processes of each Indigenous group that engages with TCA.
  • Promote education for and provide advice to TCA researchers on respectful and meaningful engagement, Indigenous research methods and ways of knowing, including Indigenous cultural awareness training for all researchers and staff involved in TCA.
Note
A cover letter is requested as part of the application materials. Candidates are encouraged to describe in their cover letters how they meet the selection criteria (including any experience in Indigenous community engagement) and/or any equivalent professional experience, education, and/or lived experience that may be applicable to the role.

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Occasional travel within Eastern Canada may be required.

Dalhousie’s vaccine mandate has been suspended at this time, and employees no longer need to provide proof of full vaccination. However, health and safety risks to our community will continue to be monitored and a vaccine mandate may be reinstated if necessary.
Required Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in a relevant subject area with a minimum of 5 years of experience developing, implementing, measuring, and adapting Indigenous engagement strategy within a research environment.
  • An understanding of challenges particular to Indigenous Persons and communities generally, and in the ocean sector specifically, preferably through lived experience.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and respectfully to achieve goals.
  • A similar combination of education, experience, and expertise may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Assets
  • Previous experience working within a university research environment.
  • Familiarity with Government of Canada Tri-Agency EDIA best practices, guidelines, and policies.
  • Proven ability to manage joint accountability between yourself and staff or committee members to achieve results.
  • Bilingualism/multilingualism, English, French, Mi’Kmaq or other Indigenous languages spoken in Eastern Canada.
  • PhD in a relevant field.
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans and an employee and family assistance program.
Application Consideration
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Diversity Statement
In keeping with the principles of employment equity and the nature of this position, the position is designated to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq). In order to be considered, applicants must self-identify in their application materials as Indigenous. Applicants should note that additional materials may be requested through the process. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.
Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1
Open Date 05/03/2023
Close Date 06/12/2023
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/13283

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter