Special Project Officer Jobs

Date Posted: 06/19/2023

Req ID:32110

Faculty/Division: VP - Research

Department: Centre for Research & Innovation Support

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About Us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your Opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS), the Special Projects Officer is responsible for planning and operational execution of strategic projects that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research and innovation. Working closely with the Associate Vice-President Research, others in the VPRI portfolio (e.g., RSO Research Equity & Development Specialist) and colleagues across the University the, incumbent provides exceptional project management to advance our actions and efforts to embed EDI in research and innovation at the institution.

The Special Projects Officer contributes to a wide range of environmental scans and literature reviews to develop position papers, briefing notes and other related materials to support leadership recommendations. The incumbent applies a highly professional project management approach to planning and executing strategic projects alongside cross-institutional teams. The incumbent enables strong and sustained relationships with important partners and leaders across the University and provides secretariat support for cross-institutional and strategic working groups and committees. The Special Project Officer also enables effective transparency and accountability by preparing data and reports as required. The incumbent acts with professionalism and tact, and understands the responsibility of accessing confidential data. The Special Projects Officer will support University-wide efforts to determine best practices in the collection and use of EDI data. Finally, the incumbent will work closely with team members at CRIS to showcase and facilitate programming and resources that advance our commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.

The incumbent works in a complex environment that requires a high degree of sensitivity, responsiveness, and a need to maintain absolute confidentiality. The incumbent will participate in the advancement of projects and undertake initiatives and daily activities within the portfolio that require knowledge of confidential information impacting staff in various employee groups.

The responsibilities of the Special Project Officer will continue to evolve, and the incumbent in the role must be flexible and able to respond to priorities that arise. The Special Project Officer must be able to work collaboratively in a challenging and dynamic work environment.

Essential Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

University degree required. Post graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) an asset or equivalent combination of education and experience. Project management designation an asset.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in coordinating and facilitating meetings, including project meetings with stakeholders to facilitate approval processes.
• Demonstrated experience in a project management capacity, including experience with all aspects of process development and execution.
• Expertise and ability to coordinate and support committees and working groups; Demonstrated capacity to mobilize project team(s).
• Experienced working with administrative, research and sensitive data. Including experience to gather, synthesize, interpret, and review information.
• Demonstrated knowledge of diversity and inclusion principles, trends, research methods, statistical analysis and reporting.
• Experience designing and/or developing evaluation tools (i.e. surveys, interviews).
• Extensive experience within the wider post-secondary sector, knowledge of relevant post-secondary policies and procedures, and an understanding of university organizational structure, including its governance.
• Experience designing and delivering adult educational, leadership or professional development programs.
• Experience in research, data collection and analysis, and report writing.
• Extensive knowledge of EDI community considerations and a strong commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and justice.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative, leading large complex projects.
• Minimum four (4) years’ of relevant administrative or project management experience in the post-secondary sector or related setting in progressively senior positions.
• Demonstrated initiative in mobilizing projects through to completion.
• A thorough understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Experience with event coordination, planning and management.
• Experience advancing equity projects within a post-secondary environment or similar complex organization.

SKILLS:

• Strong ability and commitment to remain current with emerging and prevailing trends and issues in equity, diversity and inclusion in research and innovation. Demonstrated proactive learning to stay informed of trends, and to anticipate and proactively respond to changes.
• High degree of political acuity and judgment.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty members and senior university officers in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building.
• Superior organizational skills in planning, project management and task coordination.
• Ability to work under pressure and with deadline constraints while balancing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process gaps or areas for improvement and implement changes for maximum efficiency.
• Familiarity with University governance, higher education sector, and public sector administration is an asset.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, discretion, and tact.
• Proficiency with information technologies (e.g., advanced skills in Microsoft Office; webpage/ content management system maintenance, email, internet and scheduling software); ability to set up templates and macros in Word and Excel, set up Excel spreadsheets and graphics, and prepare sophisticated PowerPoint presentations); familiarity with statistical software and analysis platforms.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, discretion, and tact.
• Highly developed skills in oral and written communication, including effective presentation skills.
• Proven ability to deal with sensitive matters that require professional judgement and confidentiality.
• Interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy required.
• Familiarity with performance measurement and program evaluation is an asset.
• Ability to build collaborative, long-term relationships internally and externally.
• Detailed knowledge of building complex project timelines with experience using Microsoft Project or other project management software and resources. Knowledge of project management tools and resources.
• Ability to interpret and apply a broad range of institutional policies and procedures.
• Ability to adjust to changing priorities, problem solver orientation.
• In-depth knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, techniques, tools and best practices .

OTHER:

• Excellent understanding of the post-secondary education sector and intersection with the broader community.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility with stakeholders including senior leaders and their direct reports.
• Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues.
• A high level of professionalism, independence of action, tact, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively, both in writing and orally, to a wide range of academic and non-academic audiences is essential.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, with a focus on privacy matters and related policies.

Closing Date: 06/28/2023, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Appointment Type: Budget - Term This is a one (1) year TERM role.

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 -- Hiring Zone: $82,692 - $96,473 -- Broadband Salary Range: $82,692 - $137,819

Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.