Director, Research Security Jobs

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Director, Research Security

Department/Unit VPRI Office

Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number S180-23

Employee Group DPMG

Position Type Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable) Three (3) years

Employment Type Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

Salary $84,582 - $114,066 per annum

Classification ADM-08

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Dalhousie University, under the leadership of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, administers over $200M annually in research funding. Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Research, the Director, Research Security is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to meet the security objectives of the University relating to research, innovation, and commercialization activities; engaging with government officials on the identification and mitigation of research security threats; and leading the growth and expected future development of a new Research Security unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and identify developments and issues related to research security to mitigate risks to research and commercialization enterprise. Remain abreast of and develop initiatives to respond to emerging threats. Triage and work with impacted units to manage issues proactively and reactively.
• Interpret and advise on policy and procedure as it relates to the development of security components of research and innovation applications, proposals and partnerships under development, including advising faculty members on relevant security processes and approvals.
• Build relationships with key individuals and strategic partners who have objectives and interests in research security across Canada, including other U15universities. Engage with external organizations, such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service ( CSIS ), Public Safety Canada, and other institutions to contribute to internationally recognized best practices for safeguarding research.
• Act as an advisor for faculty members in addressing research security. Develop, deliver, and regularly update resources for researchers including educational initiatives, outreach, training, and communications to educate the Dalhousie community about research security and related risks.
• Develop and regularly update a research security framework for the University to address evolving federal research security requirements. Evaluate current policies, practices and programs and external research security requirements. Ensure internal, Tri-Agency and other funder policies are followed.
• Work at a strategic level to promote research security within the University, take a strategic role in change management processes, provide advice to senior leadership on research security practices, processes, and policy regarding research security and risk mitigation.

Note

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.

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

• Experience in project management, and leading and supporting large-scale change initiatives with the proven ability to work at both an operational and strategic level.
• Experience interpreting and applying relevant policy and advising on security processes and approvals.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the proven ability to work under pressure in a deadline-driven, fast-paced, high-volume environment and manage multiple detail-oriented projects and tasks.
• Experience in collating and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information to draft reports, provide briefing materials and recommendations to a range of audiences including senior leadership.
• Knowledge of the identification and management of risks.
• Proficient technological skills in MS Office suite of programs including email, Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and other multimedia, word processing, financial spreadsheets, database management, and electronic file transfer.
• Strong communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills including experience developing and leading research security or related training initiatives.
• Strong collaboration, diplomacy and team-building skills including experience working with multiple stakeholders, organization-wide committees, and individuals at all levels.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field plus a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in progressively senior positions addressing, leading, and advancing security within a research-intensive or post-secondary environment, government agency, or similar complex organization (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Experience working with Federal ministries/agencies.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving skills including experience dealing with the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of complex information, and demonstrated knowledge of risk identification and management.

Assets

• Experience and knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the research funding environment including funding programs, research funding agencies and practices, and functions related to research and research administration.
• Experience working with researchers, particularly in a post-secondary environment.
• Knowledge of research relevant research risk identification and management, or other related knowledge.
• An understanding of Dalhousie’s organizational structure, including its governance.

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:

• Thinking and Acting Strategically
• Communication
• Relationship Building
• Accountability for Performance & Results
• Change & Innovation

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or Human Resources.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity .

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies One (1)

Open Date 05/15/2023

Close Date 06/19/2023

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/13433