Secondments are Welcome
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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
Western Research provides strategic and administrative support to foster a culture of research excellence that enhances Western University’s profile on the global stage. We support our scholars through collaboration, communication, and service. Western Research supports a broad definition of research, including discovery, innovation, creativity, and artistic works.
Responsibilities
The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization in Research Specialist (EDI-D Research Specialist) willsupport the implementation of EDI-D and anti-racism praxis across all internal and/or external researchfunding, adjudication and ethics processes at Western. The role will identify internal and external fundingopportunities related to EDI-D and anti-racism research, and will assist directly with partnership building,opportunity dissemination, proposal development, and providing education to embed meaningful EDI-D andanti-racism promising practices. The role will ensure that proposals conform to Western’s and the fundingagencies’ EDI-D and anti-racism policies, action plans, procedures and criteria. The EDI-D Research Specialistwill liaise with and coordinate activities among Western’s researchers, relevant Departments, its local affiliates,and other national and international peer institutions, with the goal of facilitating the success of researchproposals. The role will deliver diplomatic and professional client-oriented services for proposals, which aretypically related to major national and international research grant programs and strategic grant programs fromthe three major granting agencies.
Qualifications
Education:
- 4-year Undergraduate Degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. diversity and equity, human rights, accessibility etc.)
- Relevant courses related to EDI-D
- Lived experience and/or deep understanding of cultural competency and history of the research ecosystem for equity-deserving groups (e.g. Indigenous, Black, racialized person, person with a disability and/or as a member of the LGBTQAI2S+ community) is preferred
- Master of Professional Education (MPEd) in Equity, Diversity and Social Justice or Masters with a significant EDI-D component is preferred
- Thesis based area of study preferred
- OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession) Certification and/or cultural competency and safety training
- EDI-D related training
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience working on EDI-D initiatives within a research-intensive, and/or post-secondary environment
- 1 year experience weaving EDI-D praxis into grant proposals and/or supporting EDI-D related items aspart of large-scale funding applications with multiple stakeholders, funding sources, partners and/or outcomes
- Proven experience writing successful proposals and working with major government research programs is preferred
- Experience working with equity-deserving groups preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated passion, commitment and knowledge of EDI-D
- In-depth knowledge of best practices for reviewing and writing EDI-D action plans as part of grant proposals, and of Canadian peer-review granting systems, processes and procedures related to EDI-D
- In-depth understanding of complex issues related to EDI-D and anti-racism as they relate to the researcher, faculty and student experience and research impact
- Demonstrated understanding of systemic issues and of the legal and legislative frameworks related toEDI-D (e.g. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and theAccessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA))
- Ability to assess situations using sound judgment and to navigate sensitive and sometimes difficult conversations that can be emotionally charged
- Exceptional and persuasive communication skills and critical thinking skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, and provide a rationale for action
- An innovative and strategic thinker with a broad vision for the role of diversity in achieving research excellence
- Demonstrated ability to understand and enable diverse viewpoints and approaches to achieve complex goals
- Proven ability to work well with diverse groups at all levels within the institution and external parties, exercising appropriate judgment in decision making
- Ability to work independently, handle details with a high degree of accuracy and to organize and prioritize a high volume of work to meet deadlines
- Ability to conduct difficult conversations with diplomacy and tact while advancing research from an EDI-D and anti-racism lens
- Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality, sensitivity and relationship building standards and treat sensitive information with discretion
- A desire to grow and advance skills, which is demonstrated by attending conferences, workshops and other professional developmental opportunities to enhance performance
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational sessions & resources to diverse stakeholders to increase their awareness of, and advance, EDI-D and anti-racism promising practices
- Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to research new avenues of funding from federal granting agencies, industry and other funding sources
- Strong editing and proofreading abilities with attention to detail with emphasis on requirements for proposal development, reports and presentations
Background Checks
While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory prior to any offer of employment. Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce current record check(s) (e.g. vulnerable sector, criminal record and police information) from a police service prior to commencing employment.
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.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.