Associate Director, Indigenous Strategic Initiatives

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level D

Job Title

Associate Director, Indigenous Strategic Initiatives

Department

Administration | Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives

Compensation Range

$7,278.33 - $11,372.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

July 22, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Associate Director leads strategic planning initiatives, development, implementation and management for the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives (OISI) and establishes and maintains liaison with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, organizations and other institutions. The position represents the Senior Advisor and OISI in meetings with campus and community groups and at public functions. The role has primary responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives including future staff. Additionally, the position plays a key role in providing training, mentorship, and advice to the growing team of professionals, especially those in leadership positions, across the university working on Indigenous initiatives and with communities and organizations.

Organizational Status

The Associate Director temporarily reports to and works under the direction of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic. In future, the Associate Director will report to and work under the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs or an equivalent role. The Associate Director works closely with: OISI staff and colleagues across multiple portfolios. The Associate Director liaises and works collaboratively with Indigenous initiatives across campus, Directors and Unit Heads of departments, schools and units as well as the President's office and Executive Team when required. Based on an expert understanding of Indigenous communities and organizations, the Associate Director maintains collegial and functional relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations and with other educational organizations, educational institutions and government agencies at the local, regional, provincial, national, and, at times, the international levels.

Work Performed

• Drafts and develops materials for Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation reports and for university annual reports including statistical reporting for self-identification and Indigenous enrolment;
• Advises the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and/or Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs as well as other units and portfolios on implementation of the Indigenous Strategic Plan. Provides advice to other units concerning the ISP Guiding Network governance structure for ISP implementation support;
• Writes and/or directs the preparation of OISI documents, including annual reports and planning documents, in support of planning and evaluative processes;
• Establishes and nurtures collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous units/Faculties, communities and organizations;
• Performs other related duties.
• Coordinates the Indigenous Strategic Plan Executive Advisory Committee and participates in the Indigenous Strategic Plan Coordinating Committee and the President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Affairs, working closely with the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and/or Senior Advisor;
• Develops and presents an annual plan and budget for OISI;
• Hires, evaluates, terminates, manages, motivates, and coordinates staff;
• Leads the development of collaborative projects with resident and visiting Indigenous Elders, guests, and community contacts based upon a thorough knowledge of Indigenous community protocols;
• Mentors, supports and provides leadership to staff and student workers, in a highly collaborative team environment. Ensures the clear establishment of goals for staff and monitors and evaluates staff and unit progress towards these goals. Assists staff in developing skills necessary to improve job performance. Ensures that liaison and coordination among staff is maintained and, when necessary, clarifies responsibilities and boundaries between roles;
• Leads the collaboration process with multiple stakeholders including the UBC Okanagan Senior Advisor to the DVC, and the Indigenous Advisory Committee, to develop and implement projects and initiatives;
• Uses active listening skills when working with internal and external stakeholders. Leads by enacting the ISP governing principles;
• Develops strategies, identifies issues, conducts research, and provides updates and recommendations to multiple university wide committees, including acting as a standing member of the Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation Committee and the Indigenous Working Group, building networks & resources across campus;
• In collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and/or Senior Advisor, develops the strategic and operational plans in line with the University's strategic goals, especially the Indigenous Strategic Plan, and identifies areas for continuous improvement;
• Identifies opportunities for new initiatives and researches best practices in implementation of Indigenous strategic initiatives;
• Provides campus wide development and advising administration on Indigenous policy and direction, based on conversations and consultations with the relevant campus communities;
• Represents the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives on internal committees and represents the university at key external events;
• Mentors staff in other key program locations across the university who are developing capacity to work with Indigenous students, communities, and organizations. Serves as a role model and mentor for Indigenous staff and students;

Consequence of Error

The Associate Director's decisions and recommendations on planning, policy and program development and budgeting are guided by the Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives mandate and objectives and are undertaken in compliance with the University's policies and procedures as well as government regulations. Inappropriate judgment can compromise OISI's ability to meet its objects and goals, and its relationships within the University and with external Indigenous organizations and communities and government agencies, and can impede UBC's progress on its Indigenous Strategic Plan and in relation to Indigenous initiatives at the local, regional, provincial, national and international level. Since UBC Indigenous initiatives are now more extensive, diverse, complex, and inter-dependent, the Associate Director's role in coordinating efforts among them is more critical, the consequence of errors or failures in judgment are correspondingly more extensive and serious. Relations with Indigenous communities and organizations present a special concern: injudicious or uninformed actions by the Associate Director or by others for whom the Associate Director is responsible can easily damage important relationships with community partners, creating damage requiring years to repair. The Associate Director is called upon to exercise sound judgment over a wide range of issues and circumstances, often within a limited time frame and with limited opportunity for consultation.

Supervision Received

The Associate Director reports to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and/or Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs and works in collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and/or Senior Advisor and independently to meet the OISI mandate and objectives and the objectives outlined in the University's Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Supervision Given

The Associate Director directly manages and oversees staff and student workers in OISI.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of seven years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organizational, administrative, and supervisory capabilities, as well as active listening, effective problem-solving and analytical abilities are required.
• Must have excellent leadership, interpersonal and written and oral communications skills, including public speaking.
• Experience in working in strategic planning, and experience and knowledge of university governance, structures, policies and procedures, academic programs and student services is essential, as is experience in planning and facilitating meetings, workshops, conferences and similar events.
• Demonstrated administrative and supervisory experience.
• Extensive knowledge of educational systems and circumstances affecting Indigenous people within them.
• Must be able to take initiative and exercise judgement, and work positively and effectively under pressure to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of financial structures and management required.
• Must be able to work both independently and in collaborative team situations and demonstrate an ability to take initiative, critique and direction where appropriate.
• Must have a deep understanding of Indigenous experiences, particularly as they relate to post-secondary education, and an appreciation of the complexity and range of Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Though not frequently required, must be able to travel within British Columbia, and to other national, and international locations and to work at times in evenings and on weekends.
• Experience working with Indigenous people/organizations and in post-secondary education.
• Must have a strong commitment to advancing the educational aspirations of Indigenous peoples.