Outreach Specialist

**Outreach Specialist**:
**There is a strong internal applicant for this position.**

**Primary Purpose**: The Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS), University Saskatchewan (USask), is the central institute at USask responsible for research critical to the health, well-being, protection, and scientific advancement of freshwater in Saskatchewan, Canada, and around the world. “Water” is a USask signature area and USask continues to be the top-ranked water resources research institute in Canada and one of the best in the world.

USask leads the pan-Canadian Global Water Futures (GWF) Program, involving 18 university partners and has received funding for its follow-on, the Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO), involving 8 university partners. This position is heavily focused on GWF/GWFO activities which include research at USask, across Canada and around the world and initiatives related to GWF/GWFO.

GIWS works closely with the water-related academic units and research centres across USask, including the Department of Geography and Planning, College of Arts and Science, School of Environment and Sustainability, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Centre for Hydrology, Toxicology Centre and several others.

As Outreach Specialist, the duties associated with this job will be aligned with the highest standards towards advancing the goals, vision, and mission of GIWS and GWF/GWFO through strategic outreach initiatives and engagement.

**Nature of Work**: This position** **reports to Director, Global Water Futures/Global Water Futures Observatories. “Outreach” will be focused on the communication of scientific research outcomes from GIWS and GWF/GWFO members including students, staff, faculty, and researchers. The GIWS / GWF Outreach Specialist is responsible for the strategy, planning, management, and execution of multiple science outreach initiatives, events, and other activities. This will include developing outreach materials for students in elementary and high school (primarily aimed at ages 10 - 18), scientific conferences, end users, sectoral groups, and the general public; co-managing art and science in collaborative projects; engaging with media and social media; and, being involved in various speaking and lecture series as well as other GIWS and GWF/GWFO activities.

**Typical Duties or Accountabilities**:

- Strategize, plan, manage, execute, evaluate, and report on comprehensive and strategic outreach projects to enhance the scientific translation and advance the strategic directions of water research locally, nationally, and internationally. Target audiences include but are not limited to the academic and research community, students, research partners, potential sponsors, other government, industry and community stakeholders, and the general public.
- Manage the outreach of scientific research and successes for the USask-led GWF/GWFO Programmes, including the online Science Features.
- Liaise with the GWF/GWFO Secretariat, project teams, and respective partners to develop and communicate plain language materials based on scientific outcomes, advancements, and impacts (handouts, posters, power point presentations, video/documentary, digital stories, science features, and magazine articles).
- Assist GIWS and GWF/GWFO in meeting performance indicators e.g., research promotion, dissemination of research outcomes, etc.
- Contribute to the GIWS and GWF/GWFO annual reports, and other ad-hoc reports to satisfy funding agency requirements.
- Enhance the presence of GIWS, GWF/GWFO, and related programs, and disseminate research outcomes, activities, and achievements via internal and external newsletters, media, websites, professional conferences, and information sessions.
- Coordinate and support the development of content for social media posts for GWF/GWFO (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), including research outcomes, news, events, etc.
- Liaise with schools and other youth groups to develop scientifically based tools/resources (information brochures, videos, games, etc.) and engage through presentations, classroom experiments, or field tours.
- Act as the advisor to the GWF Young Professionals and ensure alignment with the overarching goals and vision of GWF.
- Assist and coordinate general website content as it pertains to outreach activities and products.
- Lead the planning, execution, and communication of specific events such as the Women + Water lecture series, GWF meetings and town halls, and other public-facing and virtual events.
- Act as Co-Curator and GWF / GIWS manager for the Virtual Water Gallery, assisting in project management, leading outreach initiatives and coordinating communications, and planning and supporting exhibitions and events.
- Assist the GWF core Knowledge Mobilization team to ensure appropriate and effective translation of knowledge and outreach to user communities and sectors.
- Act as an advisor for GWF/GWFO activities a