Indigenous Partnership Specialist

This competition is open to all applicants however internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please indicate your internal status using the “Advertisement” drop down menu when applying.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location – This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI)

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) detects large changes in biodiversity in Alberta with the annually updated Biodiversity Intactness Index and Human Footprint Inventory. This research provides ongoing, relevant, scientifically credible information on Alberta’s living resources to meet the information needs of government planners, industrial developers and local communities.

Position 

Working in the ABMI’s Operations Centre, the Indigenous Partnerships Northern Lead is responsible for coordinating and liaising with northern First Nations and Métis communities for the purpose of building collaborative biodiversity monitoring initiatives. These initiatives will include a breadth of ecological topics including understanding local community wildlife monitoring needs, development of collaborative monitoring programs, data management, reporting, and capacity building with communities. This is a highly collaborative position that will involve sensitive discussion around the collection, use and weaving of scientific knowledge and Traditional Knowledge.

Duties 

1.     Facilitates Collaborative Programs

Leads and facilitates the development of biodiversity programs with Indigenous communities.

• Works with Indigenous communities, other stakeholders, and the scientific community to characterize the information needs of communities.
• Works with Indigenous communities to develop funding proposals, scope, frame, and implement the collaborative buildout of biodiversity monitoring.
• Fosters new and maintains ongoing relationships with multiple external project collaborators.

2.     Leads and Manages Biodiversity Programs

Provides leadership and expertise related to the planning and implementation of multiple biodiversity programs across a breadth of topics that vary over time.

• Develops and manages project work plans that support Indigenous community monitoring initiatives, ensuring successful completion on time and on budget through effective project management.
• Supports clarification of project roles and responsibilities, identification of resources and delegation of tasks.
• Develops relationships with collaborators and service providers (e.g., contractual agreements).
• Coordinates independent scientific review of Indigenous community project products.

3.     Directs and Undertakes Project Work

Works independently, with senior leadership, staff, and project collaborators to conduct necessary project work.

• Working with Indigenous communities, supports any of the following: proposal writing, project planning, training, delivery, data management and analysis, project performance and control, and reporting.
• Supports logistical planning and field delivery (e.g., protocol development, site selection, training, equipment purchasing support, data upload and checking).
• Facilitates project meetings, maintains project documentation, and identifies issues and leads teams through problem solving during the lifecycles of projects.
• Critically reviews existing literature, including academic journals and other sources, for information needed to design and implement projects.

4.     Supports Knowledge Dissemination

Facilitates reporting and knowledge sharing with Indigenous partners, external stakeholders, and scientists.

• Provides project summaries.
• Communicates project outcomes in written and oral form to Indigenous communities, non-technical and technical audiences, while communicating strengths and limitations of products.
• Supports communication and reporting initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Post-secondary degree in natural science, ecology, geography, biological sciences, Native/Indigenous studies or related discipline. 

Greater than 5 years working experience in the field of environmental monitoring, ecology, natural resource management, or Native/Indigenous studies with excellent organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills. Minimum 1 year experience working directly with Indigenous partners. Experience with biodiversity field work in boreal environments, including remote field work.

Equivalencies in education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference given to those with:

• Commitment to ABMI’s values, vision and mission;
• Relevant experience (knowledge and experience with biodiversity, ecosystems, forestry or hydrology);
• Direct experience managing multi-partner, multi-year projects;
• Cross-cultural agility – awareness of/sensitivity to diverse Indigenous culture and history;
• Experience in project or product management
• Strong familiarity with northern Alberta landscapes, species, and ecosystems. Multiple years working/living in remote northern areas. 
• Self-motivated and ability to motivate others;
• Ability to juggle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment;
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills; 
• A proactive approach to managing problems;
• Ability to adapt and evolve as required;
• An interest in learning;
• A valid Drivers License.

An Asset:

• MSc in ecology, environment or natural resource management;
• Experience supporting and/or collaborating with Indigenous communities, including knowledge of their culture, traditions, and protocols;
• Formal project management training and experience using project management tools/software;
• Informal or formal leadership experience; 
• Experience conducting and/or using data from field-based monitoring programs.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Leads and facilitates the development of biodiversity programs with Indigenous communities.

·         Works with Indigenous communities, other stakeholders, and the scientific community to characterize the information needs of communities.

·         Works with Indigenous communities to develop funding proposals, scope, frame, and implement the collaborative buildout of biodiversity monitoring

·         Fosters new and maintains ongoing relationships with multiple external project collaborators.

Provides leadership and expertise related to the planning and implementation of multiple biodiversity programs across a breadth of topics that vary over time.

·         Develops and manages project work plans that support Indigenous community monitoring initiatives, ensuring successful completion on time and on budget through effective project management.

·         Supports clarification of project roles and responsibilities, identification of resources and delegation of tasks.

·         Develops relationships with collaborators and service providers (e.g., contractual agreements).

·         Coordinates independent scientific review of Indigenous community project products.

Works independently, with senior leadership, staff, and project collaborators to conduct necessary project work.

·         Working with Indigenous communities, supports any of the following: proposal writing, project planning, training, delivery, data management and analysis, project performance and control, and reporting.

·         Supports logistical planning and field delivery (e.g., protocol development, site selection, training, equipment purchasing support, data upload and checking).

·         Facilitates project meetings, maintains project documentation, and identifies issues and leads teams through problem solving during the lifecycles of projects.

·         Critically reviews existing literature, including academic journals and other sources, for information needed to design and implement projects.

4.             Supports Knowledge Dissemination

Facilitates reporting and knowledge sharing with Indigenous partners, external stakeholders, and scientists.

·         Provides project summaries.

·         Communicates project outcomes in written and oral form to Indigenous communities, non-technical and technical audiences, while communicating strengths and limitations of products.

·         Supports communication and reporting initiatives.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.