About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) works towards fostering a thriving student environment, to inspire Indigenous students at Western to realize their full potential through the provision of culturally relevant space, services, and advocacy that encourage wholistic and strength-based approaches to learning. The ISC fits under the umbrella of Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) which leads system-wide change required to advance truth and reconciliation efforts, achieve equitable outcomes for Indigenous peoples, and implement Western’s institutional and Indigenous Strategic Plan. The OII is committed to building and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, and fostering an academic environment where all students, staff, faculty and community members experience the university as a welcoming, supportive, culturally-safe environment in which Indigenous languages, ways of knowing, being and doing are respected and supported.

Responsibilities

Western University is committed to improving Indigenous graduate students’ experiences and success in all disciplines. This role is a collaboration between the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Society of Graduate Students. The Indigenous Graduate Student Coordinator leads a peer-based support network for Indigenous graduate students studying at Western. The role supports Indigenous graduate students to facilitate their transition, retention and completion of their studies. The role will also advocate for Indigenous graduate students within SOGS, the Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Council (IPEC) and various other campus initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Relationship Building

• Strengthen relationships with Indigenous Graduate students and support a sense of community for students.
• Shall collaborate with SOGS VP Advocacy and Commissioners (Gender Concerns, Accessibility, Racial Equity and Inclusivity, and Pride) to take joint initiatives or host collaborative events by meeting at least once a term.
• Lead the Indigenous Commission with SOGS, planning termly meetings and recruiting members to engage with Indigenous graduate students through initiatives and events
• Liaise with university departments and faculties at Western to support Indigenous Graduate student activities.
• Maintain regular communication with the Student Opportunities Coordinator and SOGS VP Advocacy by providing monthly updates.
• Keep apprised of Indigenous Student Centre support and programming by attending staff meetings.

Program Development and Management

• Develop a 2026-2027 program work plan that includes strategies to engage current Western University Indigenous graduate students in programming.
• Take a leadership role in coordinating all program activities, including setting a schedule and hosting monthly or quarterly peer-to-peer meetings, information sessions, workshops, social events, and collaboratively planning an annual Indigenous graduate symposium and writing retreat.
• Maintain program filing system and other duties relative to the program, including tracking student participation in all program-sponsored events and activities.
• Compile and maintain event and yearly reports with pertinent information for future coordinators
• Create and manage the program budget based on the developed work plan, which includes taking the lead on purchasing, honorarium payments, and invoices. The incumbent will have access to, in addition to the program budget, event funding through SOGs VP Advocacy and SOGs Event Funds.

Communications

• Take the lead in creating promotional materials for all program activities and responsible for rolling out promotions via Office of Indigenous Initiatives and SOGs channels
• Maintain regular contact with Indigenous graduate students by managing a listserv, sending member updates, and responding to email inquiries.

Advocacy

• Shall report to SOGS Council at least once a term and bring forward issues from their constituency to Council and the Executive as appropriate for action.
• Identify and participate in SOGS Committees that are relevant to advancing the needs of Indigenous graduate students.
• Represent Indigenous graduate student voices on the Indigenous Postsecondary Education Council (IPEC), which meets roughly 4-5 times per year.

Supervisor:

• Under the supervision of the Student Opportunities Coordinator, the Indigenous Student Centre

Qualifications:

Required

• Must be enrolled as a graduate student at Western University
• Knowledgeable of Indigenous graduate student needs and experiences in postsecondary.
• Knowledgeable and sensitive to working with diverse Indigenous student populations.
• Able to work collaboratively with others and independently with minimal supervision.
• Must have excellent communication skills, time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to be a self-starter and take the initiative on projects.
• Knowledgeable of Western University’s Code of Student Conduct and The Indigenous Strategic Plan

This position is designated for candidates who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) from Turtle Island and can affirm claims of Indigenous membership and citizenship as required within Western’s MAPP Policy 1.58 – Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Membership and Citizenship. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 - Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University.

Preferred

• Have previous experience supporting program coordination.
• Employment or volunteer experience in Indigenous communities or with Indigenous organizations.
• A graduate student currently enrolled in a Graduate at Western University, where the research program is focused on Indigenous populations.

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Background Checks

While transcripts are not required for the interview, they may be requested prior to an offer of employment.

Affirmation Policy

Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving beyond sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in its hiring processes. This is to safeguard against the use of incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in circumstances in which a candidate has made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership. Candidates who are invited for an interview or who are short-listed, and who have made a declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership for material advantage at Western, including where required or preferred for the position, will be asked to have their declaration of Indigenous citizenship or membership affirmed through a relational accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/. The policy can be viewed at: POLICY 1.58 - Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University.

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.