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Director, Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Full Time NEW
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 Director is the administrative head of unit responsible for overall strategic management of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC or “Centre”). The Director collaborates with and advises the Academic Director in order to set the strategic direction and provide long-term planning and leadership to the IRSHDC. The Director oversees the overall administration of the Centre and its operations. The position works across UBC and with Indigenous communities, Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors, and partner organizations, to fulfill its mandate to provide access to records and support research for Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the Residential School system, and to develop and deliver educational, engagement, dialogue activities related to the history and ongoing legacies of Residential Schools
The Director establishes and oversees the development of effective and trauma-informed organizational structures and policies that align with the mission and mandate of the IRSHDC. This role is also responsible for cultivating and fostering strong and influential working relationships with key individuals and stakeholders, throughout the university and with external organizations. Working closely with the Academic Director, this position is responsible for co-leading the Centre’s contributions to the University’s commitment to Indigenous Rights, and its profile as a forefront leader in this space. The Director also contributes strategic advice and subject matter expertise for UBC-wide initiatives such as the Indigenous Strategic Plan and the UBC Strategic Plan, participating on relevant and appropriate planning, implementation, and/or advising committees to advance and implement Indigenous strategic priorities and actions across the VP portfolio and various units on campus. The Director leads the development and execution of strategies, plans, projects, and practices that support the IRSHDC’s mandate and its goals of establishing effective and ethical working relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities. This position is also responsible for overseeing engagement, learning, and dialogue for the University community and the wider public through the Centre, ensuring a space that promotes inclusion, respect, and accountability in regard to the genocidal intent and impacts of residential schools.
Work Performed
The Director will provide administrative and expert professional leadership, including the achievement of human, financial and operational objectives of the IRSHDC.
Duties of the Director include:
Strategic Leadership and Planning
• Works closely with the IRSHDC Academic Director in overall strategic leadership, visioning, planning, development and implementation of systems, programs and services in support of the Centre’s mandate
• Develops and implements strategies, goals, and objectives in consultation and collaboration with the Academic Director, that support the IRSHDC mandate, UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan and UBC Strategic Plan, and are responsive to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, UNDRIP, and the MMIWG Calls for Justice
• Provides strategic advice and subject matter expertise while participating on relevant and appropriate planning, implementation and advisory committees to advance Indigenous initiatives to better implement and embed Indigenous ways of knowing across the VP portfolio and various units across campus
• Develops strategies, plans, policies, and practices to advance the Centre’s mandate, working with the Academic Director to ensure that the Centre has appropriate resources in place to achieve its goals
Indigenous Strategic Initiatives and Cross-Unit Collaboration
• Initiates and implements strategies to aid in the integration of Indigenous strategic initiatives into the Centre’s operational policies, programs, and services
• Consults with other UBC units such as the Faculty of Education, the School of Information, First Nations House of Learning, UBC Behavioral Research Ethics Board, and the Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Heath to support implementation of Indigenous strategic initiatives and incorporation of Indigenous values
Partnerships, Community Engagement and External Relations
• Showcases the Centre’s work, programs and resources both internally within the UBC community and externally across the Province; works closely with the First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) to form connections with Indigenous students and/or staff members to promote the Centre’s work and available resources
• Fosters long-term and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities in BC by working directly with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to support the 21 lead First Nations in BC in finding records to support the investigation of the missing children (unmarked graves)
• Develops partnerships with stakeholders internal and external to the University in support of the IRSHDC’s mandate and work, including UBC-V and UBC-O units, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Library and Archives Canada, Royal BC Museum, Legacy of Hope Foundation, Office of the Special Interlocutor of Missing Children and Unmarked Graves, and various BC Indigenous communities
Programming, Education and Knowledge Exchange
• Oversees strategic planning, initiatives, development and management of events, programs and services (including the facilitation of speakers, film screenings, dialogue series) in ongoing collaboration with other Indigenous units at UBC-V
• Promotes collaboration with UBC-O’s Indigenous Centre for dual campus opportunities, regarding knowledge exchange, research, oral testimony program, and events
• Provides specific educational programming for faculty and staff at UBC, including resource development, consultation, teaching, and curriculum review
Survivor Support, Operations and Team Leadership
• Responsible for developing partnerships with stakeholders internal and external to the University in support of the IRSHDC’s mandate and work, including UBC-V and UBC-O units, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Library and Archives Canada, Royal BC Museum, Legacy of Hope Foundation, Office of the Special Interlocutor of Missing Children and Unmarked Graves, and various BC Indigenous communities
• Administers the operationalizes the Centre’s mandate to ensure Indian residential school Survivors, their families and communities can access their records related to residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and other relevant materials in a trauma-informed and Survivor-centred supported environment
• Oversees the management and day-to-day operations of the Centre and initiatives to support the development of a team of professionals responsible for executing the strategic mandate of the IRSHDC
• Develops and fosters a supportive and open environment built on appreciation, recognition, learning and professional growth; works to build a team environment built on positive working relationships, provides guidance and resources to teams
Financial Stewardship and Fund Development
• Plans and develops the IRSHDC operating budget in collaboration with the Academic Director, Allocates and monitors resources by setting unit priorities. Allocates funds/human resources and monitors expenditures
• Participates in the long-term planning and development of the IRSHDC, assessment of resource requirements and annual budgeting
• Develops fundraising initiatives for the IRSHDC and manages the preparation of grant requests and administration of grants. Collaborates with the University Development Office as appropriate opportunities occur
Communications, Knowledge Stewardship and Committee Engagement
• Proactively identifies and engages subject knowledge experts and information resources that assist in framing and advancing the work of the Centre and working groups formed by the Indigenous Advisory Committee
• Provides thought leadership as an active member of Indigenous Advisory Committee in the formation of appropriate working groups
• Provides strategic leadership to and oversight of the ongoing development of the IRSHDC communications and promotions to ensure development of materials and programs (e.g. annual reports, Centre branding, etc.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of IRS and current Indigenous issues, concerns, and programs to ensure that the IRSHDC continues to meet the needs of UBC faculty, staff, and students, and IRS and survivor Indigenous communities and organizations
Qualifications
• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline. Terminal graduate degree preferred depending on discipline (e.g., PhD, EdD, JD, MLIS, MPA, etc.)
• Minimum of eight years of related experience, or the 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
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain strong relationships.
• Superior leadership, motivational, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work and interact independently with internal management, faculty and staff, and with external partners, stakeholders, and community members.
• Ability to utilize the strengths of team members to achieve optimal performance.
• Ability to think analytically and work well under pressure.
• Proven ability to develop and/or implement strategies and policies.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, discretion and tact, displaying sound judgment and initiative.
• Background in Indigenous issues or experience in working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, communities and organizations is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, rights holders, Survivors, or Indigenous-led organizations, including familiarity with appropriate protocols and consultation practices
• Experience working in trauma-informed or culturally safe environments, or willingness to undertake relevant training
• Ability to manage confidential, sensitive and politically nuanced information responsibly
• Verifiable Indigenous community experience.
• If candidate does not have adequate experience and cultural competency working with Indigenous peoples, professional development requirements to achieve proven competency may be a requirement during the probationary period.