Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives Full Time NEW

Please provide a cover letter as part of your application as applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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:
Working collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders on campus, the Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Specialist will be responsible for planning, developing and managing new and existing initiatives that advance strategic priorities to enhance holistic Indigenous graduate student success. The Specialist will partner with academic and administrative units, faculty and staff across the university to ensure that Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows receive support throughout their UBC experience, from informed pre-application advising through to program completion. This position will provide mentorship to Indigenous graduate students through the admission application cycle and provide advice and guidance related to applying for both internal and external award funding. Working with key leaders across campus, the Specialist will identify systemic barriers Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows experience as they interact with UBC in order to inform strategic direction and support productive dialogue between Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows G+PS, central support offices, and graduate program offices. In addition, the Specialist will build networking and other social engagement opportunities with current Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty and staff, in order to foster a sense of community on campus.

Organizational Status:
The Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives, will report to the Director, Student Academic Support, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and work closely with Enrolment Services and First Nations House of Learning. They will also work collaboratively with G+PS executive and larger teams (e.g. Academic Services, Awards, Communications, Graduate Pathways to Success, etc.) and a variety of units on campus to support the strategic priorities as outlined in UBC’s strategic plan, Shaping UBC’s Next Century; the Indigenous Strategic Implementation Plan; and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ Strategic Plan.

Work Performed:
Communications and Campus Outreach – 25%

Participate as a key member on any working group dedicated to Indigenous student support, retention, and success, including the Indigenous Student Support Services Team.

Liaise and coordinate with student-facing and other support units and advise on ensuring consistent, appropriate and coordinated messaging to Indigenous students.

Take ownership of the Indigenous section on the G+PS website, including the creation, maintenance, communication and promotion of regular updates, highlighting events and opportunities for Indigenous students, creating student and alumni profiles, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information.

Support Indigenous graduate student and postdoctoral orientation events and graduation ceremonies and stay in touch with graduates, postdocs, solicit alumni profiles.

Connect with Indigenous graduate student and postdoctoral fellow communities on their needs, identify barriers, and develop resources.

Foster a sense of community and build networks for Indigenous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty and staff through:
– Creating networking opportunities.
– Organizing regular social events.
– Developing an Indigenous graduate student-alumni mentorship model.
– Work with Indigenous program leads and various campus partners to develop and inform existing workshops and seminars to support Indigenous graduate student success.
– Work with the UBC Career Centre and program offices to inform career advising, resources, and workshops for Indigenous graduate students.
– Collaborate with senior colleagues in units such as Child Care Services and Student Housing and Hospitality Services to advise and support initiatives and pilot programs for Indigenous graduate students.

Student Academic Support – 20%
– Manage and host information sessions, both in person and remote, for prospective Indigenous students.
– Support Indigenous graduate students through the student life-cycle and provide one-on-one advising and mentorship as appropriate.
– Develop and facilitate workshops for Indigenous undergraduates interested in graduate school and create more linkages with senior management in undergraduate units.
– Oversee and ensure productive dialogue with graduate program offices related to Indigenous graduate students and advise on best practices.
– Collaborate with the Associate Director, Student Academic Support, in review of complex academic cases involving Indigenous graduate students.

Funding and Awards – 10%
– Work with the G+PS Funding and Awards Team to review Indigenous funding model, including any recommended changes that would better serve the needs of Indigenous graduate students.
– Collaborate with Enrolment Services on awards funding and related opportunities for Indigenous students and provide insight related to gaps in support, new developments or initiatives. Actively seek out and support development of new funding for Indigenous students and postdoctoral scholars.
– Provide support and promotion to staff and graduate students on Indigenous funding initiatives.

Policy and Procedures – 15%
– Work with the Associate Dean, Faculty and Program Development (G+PS) on program reviews and advise and support programs on Indigenous content areas and how programs can enhance opportunities to support Indigenous graduate student recruitment, retention and success.
– Identify systemic barriers Indigenous graduate students experience as they interact with UBC to relevant offices and support the development of solutions and policy changes.
– Represent G+PS and the graduate community on the Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation Committee and present related information and data as appropriate.
– Review and assess relevant UBC policies and procedures, propose revisions and/or additions as needed.
– Propose business process improvements and identify systems gaps related to Indigenous graduate student admissions, enrolment, and retention.
– Seek student input on current and proposed initiatives, both by liaising with existing student groups and by arranging specific-purpose focus groups as needed.

Special Projects and Initiatives – 25%
– Propose, develop and oversee new initiatives and pilot programs related to Indigenous graduate student success.
– Work collaboratively with Enrolment Services, First Nations House of Learning, and other related units on special projects as needed.
– Collaborate with Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) in expanding access to the program across the university.

Other duties commensurate with the skills and experience of the position – 5%

Consequence of Error/Judgement:
The Specialist position will play a central and highly visible role on campus. As such, errors or misguided information can have significant impact on the achievement of UBC’s strategic goals and commitments related to Indigenous student success, and UBC’s reputation. Actions and advice given, especially around admissions may be binding to the University and are crucial to the academic and personal welfare of students.

Supervision Received:
Reports to the Director, Academic Support; receives direction from Assistant and Associate Deans and Vice Provost/Dean. Works independently under general administrative direction. Work is reviewed for overall effectiveness.

Supervision Given:
None.

Minimum Qualifications:
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three to four years of related experience, or an 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.

Preferred Qualifications:
– University degree, preferably at a graduate level, from a recognized university. Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous students and/or communities (UBC experience preferred).
– In-depth knowledge of Indigenous culture, history and socioeconomic issues within British Columbia and Canada. Understanding of issues regarding Indigenous students in post-secondary education, combined with a strong commitment to advancing the educational aspirations of Indigenous peoples.
– Strong intercultural skills. Ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and strategic intelligence in facilitating dialogue. Demonstrated leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
– Proven ability to adapt and to work effectively in a multi-tasked environment. Proven organizational and project management skills. Proven ability to think creatively and innovate solutions to organizational challenges.
– Ability to work effectively and collaboratively, take initiative, and meet deadlines.