Manager, Strategy and Operations Indigenous Initiatives 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.

The Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies is responsible for implementing key elements of the University of British Columbia’s Indigenous Strategic Plan in teaching, curriculum reform, research and policy, including establishment of a new Interior Salishan Studies Centre and coordination of the full suite (4) of Interior Salish language fluency degrees. To manage these strategic directions, this position will consult with key stakeholders within the UBC ecosystem, other universities, and wider Indigenous territories to conduct needs assessments, curriculum planning, research, policy developments and institution building agenda setting. They will also manage the scope, time and budgets required to develop and operate different Indigenous Studies program initiatives and policies, including the teaching schedules for interior Salishan language revitalisation degrees, coordinating with and organising logistics involving community organisations and external contributors to these degrees, and supervising the Community Liaison and Instructional Coordinators associated with these degrees. The position is responsible for long range planning, instructor and community contributor recruitment, and marketing activities associated with both the Interior Salishan Studies Centre and Indigenous language fluency degrees.
Organisational Status:
The Indigenous Studies (INDG) program is housed in the Community, Culture, and Global Studies Department of the IK Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The position works independently, with initiative and autonomy, collaborating directly with Indigenous Studies faculty and staff, with an operational report to the Head of CCGS and direction on strategy and activity from the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This position works with members of the Indigenous Studies program, Indigenous networks on both UBC campuses, and with key organizations and community partners (especially but not restricted to Interior Salishan language communities). Community and stakeholder engagement and follow through on agreed commitments are major responsibilities of this role and essential to its success.
Major Responsibilities:

Program Management

Develops policies, systems and organisational practices to ensure the Interior Salish language fluency degrees— the Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency (BNLF), the Bachelor of Nɬeʔkepmxcín Language Fluency (BNLEK) the Bachelor of St’at’imc Language Fluency Degree (BSTLG), and the Bachelor of Secwepemc Language Fluency Degree (BSECW)—are managed and improved as they grow in size and complexity.

Manages and provides overall coordination of the Indigenous language and knowledge revitalization efforts, including scheduling, resourcing logistics, service agreements with partners, budget management and coordination of teaching programs.

Manages the design work, visioning processes, consultation, policy development and organisational practices associated with the Interior Salishan Studies Centre.

Manages the space and infrastructure associated with the Interior Salishan Studies Centre.

Inspires and contributes to a sense of shared purpose within the INDG program and CCGS.

Negotiates for project resources, develops, executes and monitors project plans and schedules, secure acceptance and approval of deliverables and milestones from sponsor and stakeholders related to realising strategic objectives for the INDG program, CCGS, and FASS.

Manages expectations by aligning projects to strategic goals, managing stakeholders and conflicts, and communicating project status, milestones, and mitigating unexpected difficulties/issues effectively.

Creates, executes and manages appropriate project communications strategy/plan.

Undertakes recruitment and marketing activities associated with both the language fluency and Interior Salishan Studies Centre, including for instructors, language speakers and mentors.

Community Outreach

Develops and maintains relationships with external partners (especially organizations and community members associated with the Interior Salishan territories) and manages collaboration activities with these external partners to facilitate strategic initiatives and troubleshoot emerging issues.

Collaborates with other institutions—including indigenous controlled post secondary institutions and universities—to sustain Indigenous strategic initiatives

Negotiates, manages, and facilitates the administrative interactions between community partners and the relevant departments in the University (e.g. finance).

INDG Strategy and Growth

Contributes to the ongoing development of the vision of INDG program, and other related programs, congruent with the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Identifies opportunities for new initiatives be they programs, partnerships or collaborations.

Other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement:
This strategy position requires familiarity with communication and consultation processes and protocols in working with Indigenous faculty, staff, students, and community members. A lack of familiarity with the issues for Indigenous engagement could result in dysfunctional or ineffective understandings and approaches, which could negatively impact the University’s standing and

reputation with Indigenous stakeholders. Hence the ability to exercise diplomacy, discretion and astute analysis at all times is essential.

Errors in judgment may result in the inefficient use of resources, and/or poor relations among faculty & staff, and the community. Must exercise a high level of professionalism and judgment when dealing with Indigenous Community partners, UBCO Faculty, Department and administrative offices, faculty, staff, potential hires and special visitors. Must cultivate trust and communication with and amongst strategic stakeholders.

Failure to follow best practices and exercise sound judgment could result in significant resource and reputation costs to the University, and could possibly have a negative impact on future internal and external partnerships. Such damage can have immediate and long-term consequences for student’s success, and the quality of the community-university relationship, and the reputation of UBC in the Indigenous space.

Supervision Received:
This position works independently under the general supervision of the Head of CCGS. This position will work with wide latitude under general administrative direction from the Head of CCGS, and will receive feedback in a team environment from the Indigenous Studies Program. This position reports operationally to the Head, CCGS and functionally to the Dean’s Office, FASS. Close collaboration on the creation and shaping of strategic initiatives with both the INDG program, and the Dean’s office.

Community leadership provides information and direction on protocol and the most effective processes to support community-university partnerships. This position is expected to be comfortable with working independently and taking advice and input from wider community partners.

Supervision Given:
Provides advice to the Dean’s Office, INDG program and CCGS about strategic directions and developments, risks and opportunities.

Supervises the Community Liaison and Instructional Coordinators attached to Indigenous language revitalisation degrees.

Education/Work Experience:
Minimum

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and

Minimum of five years of related experience.

Preferred

Strong preference is given to candidates with lived experience of one or more Interior Salishan communities

Experience working in educational contexts relevant to and engaged with Indigenous communities.

Has a fair knowledge of the tertiary sector so they are capable of understanding and dealing with the issues, risks, obstacles, and networking requirements.

Demonstrated ability to conduct respectful consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

Capacity to develop, execute and monitor project plans and schedules to realise strategic objective

Availability for occasional travel to local communities is essential.

Performance Competencies and Criteria:

Self-motivated and self-directed.

Experience in strategic engagement and planning processes.

Excellent organizational skills and time management skills.

Is comfortable with ambiguity and willing to reshape the rules and processes when things change

Has knowledge of and experience with Indigenous communication and interaction protocols.

Has exceptional communication skills to enable appropriate facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement

Proven ability to work in a team and collaborate with others.

An understanding of the university environment and culture is an asset.

Ability to function effectively within a changing environment

Ability to think strategically and exercise diplomacy, tact, and discretion.

Both on-campus (office based) and off-campus (community based) work is required.

Frequent travel in the interior region is required.