The Office of Indigenous Engagement is dedicated to advancing UWinnipeg’s commitments to Indigenization, reconciliation, and Indigenous excellence, including meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledges, expertise, and partnerships in all aspects of the University, and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Community.

The Director, Indigenous Academic Initiatives and Research is a full-time continuing role responsible for providing academic and research leadership and direction to the Office of Indigenous Engagement (OIE) – and the University more broadly.

In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy and section 11 of The Human Rights Code, this position is designated for qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous persons. Please confidentially self-identify at the time of application.

Please note: In the latter stages of the selection process, additional steps supporting the verification of Indigenous identity will occur for the selected candidate as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Direction

• With Associate Vice-President-Indigenous (AVP-I), determine academic and research focused strategic goals, priorities, objectives, and initiatives, then take on a leadership role in oversight, organization, and mobilization.
• Provide academic and research leadership and guidance within the OIE team, to the University community, and the Indigenous community.
• Provide Indigenous academic and research expertise to senior administrators.
• Collaborate with UW Indigenous and academic leadership to further academic Indigenization at UW.
• Provide advice and support to Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) UW faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students pursuing Indigenous pathways, courses, and research. Advise on Indigenous curricula, pedagogies/teaching, and learning.
• Work with leadership across all areas of the University in the development and alignment of priorities, strategies, and plans that build stronger relationships between UW, post-secondary institutions, educational branches of the government, research institutions, and Indigenous community.
• Assist the OIE and the University with implementation of an Indigenous identity affirmation policy and documentation verification.
• Be available for media inquiries, as directed by AVP-I.

Indigenous Academic Initiatives

• Develop an OIE presence and build relationships with University faculties, departments, academic units, faculty members and staff.
• Advance efforts to create Indigenous academic pathways.
• Explore options and mobilize plans for understanding and increasing the retention rate for Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.
• Assist AVP-I in overseeing development, revision, and approval of UW Indigenous policies and promoting Indigenization and reconciliation, facilitate engagement of Indigenous community regarding policy.
• Act as a resource to faculty members seeking to Indigenize their courses, and to the Senate Indigenous Course Requirement Committee.
• Advocate for Indigenous students seeking academic resources and liaise with relevant University units.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with Indigenous governments (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), communities (urban, rural), institutions, and organizations, locally, provincially, nationally, internationally that are seeking existing academic pathways into the University, and collaborations in the creation of new academic pathways.
• Outreach, network, and liaise with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations, communities, and governments to identify opportunities to collaborate on Indigenous academic initiatives and projects.
• Serve on Indigenous-specific academic committees, and on hiring committees.
• Collaborate on organizing the Weweni Lecture Series.

Indigenous Research Initiatives

• Develop an OIE presence with, and build relationships with, the Research Office, and research centres and institutes across the University.
• Provide advice and guidance to the Research Office and to the University Human Research Ethics Board (UHREB).
• Assist with the Distinguished Indigenous Scholar’s Chair awards.
• Act as a resource to faculty members and students undertaking Indigenous research and/or research with Indigenous people and communities.
• Advocate for Indigenous students seeking research resources and guide them towards relevant assistance.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with Indigenous governments (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), communities (urban, rural), institutions, and organizations, locally, provincially, nationally, internationally that are seeking to develop research relationships with the University.
• Outreach, network, and liaise with First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, communities and governments to identify new opportunities to collaborate on Indigenous research initiatives and projects.
• Outreach, network, and liaise with Indigenous and non-Indigenous research bodies and centres, and research granting agencies, keeping abreast of existing and new funding and grant opportunities.
• Undertake research surveys and studies for OIE.
• Available to serve on Indigenous-specific research committees.
• Participate in national associations and groups related to Indigenous research administration.

Financial and Other Responsibilities

• Identify existing and new external academic and research-focused funding opportunities and sources.
• Secure additional funding necessary to mobilize and sustain existing and new Indigenous academic and/or research initiatives.
• Assist AVP-I in overseeing existing OIE Indigenous-specific academic/research funding opportunities and creating new ones.
• Develop Indigenous academic and research initiatives budget request and forecast, prepare financial reports, reconcile VISA, receipts, invoices, etc, and approve expenses with AVP-I.
• Lead academic and/or research projects as assigned.
• Stay current on developments in academia (especially research-related), Indigenous community, and related University policies, practices, and regulations.
• Other duties as needed and prescribed by AVP-I.

Qualifications:

• Graduate degree required (minimum Master’s; PhD preferred)
• Minimum five years’ experience working in higher education required.
• Extensive knowledge regarding Indigenous curricula, research, and methodologies required.
• Extensive experience, knowledge, competency with respect to First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures, histories, cultural protocols required.
• Experience working with First Nations, Metis and/or Inuit communities and organizations is required.
• Strong knowledge and/or experience in Indigenous government relations, planning, and/or working with Indigenous stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of post-secondary institutions, research institutes, granting agencies.
• Experience in providing strategic advice to senior management.
• Experience with Indigenous-specific policies, including engagement and consultation, preferred.
• Experience in developing, planning, and executing complex projects
• Experience in leading public events with a focus on Indigenous content is required.
• Experience providing leadership, supervision, and performance management to staff, an asset
• Experience in developing, reviewing and implementing proposals and grant applications for potential projects and programs, including working with funders and other agencies.
• Experience in securing extensive funding and supports is preferred.
• Financial/budget management experience is required.
• Excellent leadership with tact, diplomacy, confidentiality, self-motivation, and initiative.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and research skills.
• Able to problem solve, foresee upcoming situations, prioritize, make decisions and recommendations, sometimes in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent knowledge of the academic teaching and research environment; knowledge of the issues facing Indigenous faculty and post-secondary students is an asset.
• Strong ability to develop collaborative and proactive strategies and plans to promote Indigenization and Reconciliation; understanding of University policies.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in close collaboration and partnership with external Indigenous Elders, government officials, community partners.
• Experience and ability to chair meetings.
• Able to maintain a strong (including physical) presence on campus and in community.
• Experience fielding media inquiries is an asset.

An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Able to work with a flexible schedule

The salary range for this position will be from $104,149 to $131,933 annually.

Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person, with an opportunity to apply for Remote Work for up to two (2) days per week.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.