Engagement Advisor

Job SummaryThe Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) is part of an ecosystem of innovation at UBC working to move UBC’s university-wide priority themes of innovation, collaboration and inclusion into concrete practices and activities. As a resource-hub for community engaged learning at UBC, CCEL strives to enhance the academic work of students and faculty, through knowledge exchange, and collective learning and action with local community organizations.The Engagement Advisor provides advice, planning, delivery and review for a wide range CEL programs and initiatives. The position provides CCEL with clarity on the status and issues affecting existing and potential partners working towards social change in British Columbia. The Advisor is responsible for developing and implementing effective strategies to ensure principled engagement between communities and CCEL, as well as identifying opportunities for collaboration and student learning. The role provides expert advice to staff, faculty and community partners on developing and delivering CEL experiences that serve shared objectives.The Advisor works closely with CCEL staff and partners to foster long-term relationships that match CCEL initiatives with community priorities and opportunities. The incumbent also ensures that systems and processes to support effective engagement are in place and operational across the unit. As a senior engagement professional, the incumbent advises and coaches unit staff, students, and partners on community development and capacity building best practices.Additionally, the role will also serve as a lead facilitator at the Center, delivering Social Impact Labs and supervising staff that deliver programming to students, staff and community partners.Organizational StatusThe Engagement Advisor reports to the Centre's Associate Director under the direction of the Director, UBC-CCEL. The Advisor works independently, under general direction. The position works with program and student staff, often in a supervisory capacity, on programming and operations and is responsible for developing, delivering and evaluating programming. The Advisor is a member of the cross-functional UBC-CCEL team, a unit within the Student Engagement portfolio led by the Office of the Vice-President, Students. The incumbent will interact closely with UBC students, as well as UBC units, community partner organizations, and other VP Student staff.Work PerformedA. Carryout the ongoing development of a community engagement culture within the Centre and UBC.Implement, monitor and inform a principled-driven community engagement framework for CCEL.Develop, assess and implement engagement strategies and administrative systems in support of community engaged learning programming at CCEL.Develop and deliver trainings, workshops, and resources for faculty, staff, students and community partners intended to increase capacity for advancing community engaged learning initiatives and community engagement at UBC.Provides expert advice to UBC students, staff, faculty and community partners on developing, delivering and participating in community engaged learning experiences that directly serve shared objectives of learning and social impact. Convene and lead focus groups and community conversations in service to effective community-university partnerships.Work in deep partnership with other units at UBC on issues of shared concern.B. Carry out the ongoing design and delivery of a portfolio of programs and initiatives, including, but not limited to: Social Impact Lab, student advising, experiential and community engaged programs, in close consultation with academic, community and student partners.Develop logic models, design curriculum and evaluate the resulting impact on student and society for programming delivered by CCEL.Manage and supervise program staff, ensuring effective delivery and budget oversight.Develop the capacity of Centre staff to deliver and evolve program content; lead and create new initiatives; and inform the evolution of the principles of engagement. Ensure the day-to-day programming and operations remain tightly coupled and linked to strategies and priorities identified by the Centre.Engage in and resolve complex matters that arise preceding to, and throughout the implementation of, community engaged learning initiatives with the goal of enabling high quality learning opportunities and social impact. Analyze program data and communicate findings and recommendations via prepared briefs and reports related to initiatives.Report on outcomes and outputs.C. Manage the deployment of Centre-wide administrative systems and processes, such as a Contact Management System, which enable consistent and ongoing engagement across CCEL.Identify opportunities and manage the creation and delivery of Centre-wide staff training to adopt and maintain systems, as required.Manage ongoing development and delivery of processes and systems to ensure effective program documentation and communication, enabling the Centre to evaluate and assess its work.Manage a central register of community engagement activities to facilitate event promotion, monitoring, evaluation and effective shared learning across the organization.D. Manage special projects as operationally required, including:Lead and, facilitate forums, events and activities that convene community-based organizations to explore emerging issues through the application of Asset Based Community Development principles.Identify opportunities for CCEL to respond to emerging issues based on community input and/or social policy research findings.Recommend and develop new pilot initiatives that are emergent from the community or UBC students based on knowledge gaps identified.E. Other related responsibilities as required.Consequence of Error/JudgementMust exercise tact and diplomacy when interacting with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including: UBC senior administrators, staff, students, alumni, faculty, staff within community organizations, individual community members, and others in external educational institutions and professional associations. UBC's community engagement activities have a high profile in the community and engage program participants in situations that may be new. Must be attentive to risk management in all situations; must be aware of the need to minimize risk to participants and maximize the perceived and actual sensitivity of programs/initiatives and the university to community issues. As the department is handling confidential information, must understand and respect the principles of confidentiality. Errors in judgment or the disclosure of confidential information could have very public consequences, affecting the reputation of the Centre for Community Engaged Learning and/or resulting in embarrassment to the University of British Columbia and its senior administration.Supervision ReceivedWorks autonomously under broad direction in assigned areas. Work is reviewed in terms of soundness of judgement and conformity with University policies and guidelines.Supervision GivenManages staff and is responsible for hire, discipline, evaluation and termination.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 inclusionPreferred QualificationsMasters preferred, with post-secondary education in the social sciences or human services.Demonstrated experience in the fields of public engagement, preferably in service to experiential education at a post-secondary institution.High level community engagement skills including planning, communication written and oral, presentation, facilitation, event management, evaluation and report writing.Demonstrated experience in developing and managing administrative systems and processes e.g., filing systems, contact management systems, systems to track program participation, and office coordination to enable effective multi-program and ongoing public engagement.Demonstrated ability to organize, promote and deliver public events guided by an asset based community development approach.Demonstrated experience in developing program resources and delivering program content.Demonstrated experience conducting program or project evaluations.Ability to balance cycles of planning, action, and reflection: ability to plan ahead, anticipate problems, and meet deadlines efficiently.Ability to take initiative and work independently and to function as an effective team member.Ability to maintain connection between a long-range vision and day-to-day functions.Ability to support and develop co-workers' capacity to engage in new activities, methods or approaches.Ability to navigate and translate the issues and context between community and University audiences.Well-developed communication listening, written and verbal and interpersonal skills with cross cultural sensitivity.Excellent judgment, decision-making, and time management skills.Professional attitude, integrity, confidentiality and excellent work ethic.Ability to consistently exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion. Ability to manage the complexity inherent within a multi-faceted work environment focused on broad outcomes for participants.Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet multiple deadlines.Willingness to travel throughout the lower mainland and work flexible hours.Strong computer skills and demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.