Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title
Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator

Department
Indigenous Team Human Early Learning Partnership School of Population & Public Health

Compensation Range
$5,209.17 – $7,485.33 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
April 3, 2024

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

Job End Date

Mar 31, 2025

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 Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is a collaborative research and knowledge mobilization centre that cares about improving child well-being.  We are an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and affiliates dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children, youth, and their families and promoting equity from the start.  Having established itself as a well-respected and internationally renowned research centre for over 20 years, HELP maintains strong relationships with school districts and other key partners in community and in the health, social service, and municipal sectors.  These relationships have allowed the centre to make an impact at multiple levels, ranging from government policy and investment to regional and community development and service planning, to local school district programs and initiatives.  Working at HELP is an opportunity to be involved in data collection and research, as well as community partnerships and engagement.  HELP offers hybrid working arrangements, a beautiful campus environment, not to mention a friendly and collegial atmosphere with opportunities to work collaboratively with a number of teams on projects.  HELP is grateful to work from the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

This position is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic approach to building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations on behalf of the Human Early Learning Partnership. A broad range of child development research and reporting is conducted at HELP under the guidance of a community-based Aboriginal Steering Committee and in collaboration with Indigenous communities and partner organizations across the province.  This position will facilitate the use of research in Indigenous children’s development and support understanding the relevance of this research in a community-based context.  This role includes community engagement to increase the uptake of HELP’s research and reports, and operational support to the Aboriginal Steering Committee.  In respect to all research undertaken by HELP with and in Indigenous communities, act in accordance and respect the ethical expectations of the Indigenous partners, as well as adhere to existing guidelines and principles stipulated by other organizations (e.g., OCAP, OCAS).

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the Senior Manager, Indigenous Initiatives and collaborates regularly with HELP researchers and staff.  They are the primary contact for members of the HELP Aboriginal Steering Committee.  The incumbent initiates and sustains working relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations, including relevant First Nations, Inuit, and Métis government organizations.
Work Performed

Major responsibilities include:

• In collaboration with the Senior Manager Indigenous Initiative, the Aboriginal Steering Committee, Indigenous Research Lead, HELP faculty and staff, contributes to the research and facilitation regarding the cultural and social determinants of Indigenous children’s development in B.C.  Note: The role of this position will be as community liaison and knowledge translator.  Although they will not have the lead for setting the research priorities, they will interact with the team identified in building the agenda and particularly in contributing the knowledge they learn in their community engagement work.
• Carries out specific activities related to research and knowledge mobilization, including participating in research project planning, carrying out research activities such as recruitment and training for data collection, all in consultation with the Aboriginal Steering Committee. Provides input into defining strategy, goals, and scope in the collection of Early Development Instrument (EDI), the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI), and the Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CHEQ) data in First Nations communities, in partnership with local partners and the Implementation Team.  This professional research work includes building relationships, teacher training, coordinating the acquisition of information, and ongoing input into recruitment, survey conducting, and data analysis.
• Composes and edits communications for Indigenous communities, parents, Early Years organizations and HELP faculty and staff that facilitate the analysis, dissemination, and utilization of the data in Indigenous communities throughout BC.
• Supports the development of research and facilitation of data collection for Indigenous community mobilization and child development planning at the local, regional, and provincial levels.  A variety of reports and resources are available for Indigenous communities to use to support their decision-making using the data collected by HELP. 
• Investigates potential funding sources to support the dissemination of research for Indigenous communities in adherence with the protocols established by the Aboriginal Steering Committee.
• Other duties as may be required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The position is accountable for the effective and efficient management of community engagement activities under their direction.  The candidate is accountable for developing relationships across communities, provincial organizations, and potentially governments.  Inaccurate, inappropriate, or ineffective communications may have serious implications for strategic partnerships and ongoing funding.
Supervision Received
The candidate will work under the general direction the direction of the Senior Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, and will work within established policies, procedures, and standards.  The position also works closely with the Director, Managing Director, and HELP staff and faculty to support our strategic goals in working with Indigenous organizations and communities.
Supervision Given
None
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an 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

• Undergraduate degree in a social science, health, or related field or equivalent combination of education/work experience is an asset.
• Previous experience working with Indigenous communities in respect to child development.
• Understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing and knowledge of current aims for Nation rebuilding and data sovereignty.
• Understanding of population health research and using research as a tool for community engagement.  
• Prior knowledge of the relationship between neighbourhood characteristics and child development is an asset.
• Good knowledge of the Child Monitoring Development System and involvement in provincial organizations is a strong asset.  
• Strong preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry.

Skills

• Proven ability to work successfully with a wide range of groups and individuals, including community, researchers, the public sector, and government.
• Group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of theories of child development and community development.
• Knowledge of the geographic, relational, and governance structures for Indigenous Peoples in B.C.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.

• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to build consensus among a diverse group.
• Standard computer software applications:
  • Word – intermediate
  • Outlook – intermediate
  • Excel – beginner
  • Power Point –intermediate
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to work well with minimal supervision.
• High level of enthusiasm and energy.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.