Conflicts Officer

Description

The University Legal Counsel team is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Conflicts Officer (Cumming School of Medicine) for approximately 2 years.

University Legal Services provides legal support to University of Calgary faculties, business units, and senior administration. This busy, multi-disciplinary team, practices in a variety of areas, including corporate/commercial, procurement, construction, real estate, information technology, intellectual property, privacy, employment and labour, human rights, governance, administrative, policy and procedure, and litigation.

The Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary (CSM) is an innovative medical school committed to excellence and leadership in education, research, and service to society. As a publicly funded education and research institution, CSM and its faculty and staff are subject to legislative, granting agency, and accreditation requirements related to disclosing, managing, and eliminating conflicts of interest (COI). CSM is committed to preserving and enhancing public confidence in the integrity of our education and research activities.

Based in University Legal Services, reporting to the Associate General Counsel (Commercial, Employment, and Privacy) and with a dotted line report to the Chair of the CSM Conflicts Committee, the successful candidate for the CSM Conflicts Officer position will work closely with and support CSM leadership and the CSM Conflicts Committee in developing, implementing, administering, and managing faculty-level procedures and requirements related to the disclosure, management, and elimination of COI. This will include the NIH conflicts of interest administered through the VP Research office.

The CSM Conflicts Officer will support CSM's compliance with applicable requirements, while promoting efficiency in processes. They will provide information, support, guidance, and advice to the CSM Conflicts Committee and CSM leadership in addressing complex files.

The University of Calgary strives to offer a work environment that promotes the health and wellness of our employees and also supports them in their personal lives. To that end, we have comprehensive benefit programs, including participation in the Universities Academic Pension Plan, and a variety of opportunities and supports in place for learning.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Assist in the development and implementation of COI procedures within CSM, to meet all applicable COI requirements.
• Manage all aspects of CSM COI procedures, including reviewing and triaging disclosures in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Draft recommended conflict management plans and conduct management plan oversight on behalf of (and subject to the approval of) CSM senior leadership, as required by policies.
• Support the CSM Conflicts Committee and CSM leadership by conducting preliminary assessments, stakeholder consultation, and information gathering related to complex disclosures; draft Committee decisions and recommend conflict management plans for final approval.
• Provide advice and guidance to CSM Conflicts Committee and CSM leadership on complex files, procedural fairness and privacy requirements in process, and internal governance processes.
• Develop and administer training and resources to support CSM faculty and staff and provide them with awareness and clarity on COI requirements and processes.
• Review and administer NIH COI requirements for CSM faculty holding these awards

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Law degree and admission to the bar in a Canadian jurisdiction preferred. However, candidates with a social science (business, psychology, law, economics, ethics), human resources management, labour relations, public administration, or organizational development degree will also be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in an advisory role, in an organization of significant size, complexity, and diversity, including experience providing advice, guidance, and recommendations to senior management on complex cases. Experience related to COI, compliance with policy or regulations, or human resources issues is an asset.
• Experience writing reports and briefing materials related to COI, compliance, or other types of human resources case files (e.g. performance management, complaints management, workplace investigations or accommodations, harassment, grievances, etc.).
• Experience managing a large caseload of COI or other types of human resources case files requiring in-depth analysis and consultation with various stakeholders and management, including senior management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills with a solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Skill in balancing diverse and sometimes conflicting, stakeholder interests.
• Ability to deal with highly complex, confidential, and sensitive issues in a professional and timely manner.
• Ability to explain complex issues or difficult situations and distill information into easy-to-understand terms.
• Experience working in the post-secondary, health care, and/or broader public sector, or in research/research ethics, is considered an asset.
• Experience in the design and implementation of a departmental program is considered an asset.
• Experience in working for an organizational values and ethics program is considered an asset.

Application Deadline: This posting will remain Open until Filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4L of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.