Learning and Development Lead: Indigenous Programming

**COMPETITION NUMBER: 1312**

**CLOSING DATE**:
**RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INNOVATION**

The mission of the Research and Development portfolio is to continually improve the learning product and experience by evolving the curriculum, developing faculty, leading new educational technologies implementation, and fostering applied research.

This position plays a key role in supporting the achievement of the college’s strategic goals, and is specifically accountable for teaching and learning focused support for: 1) the program life-cycle of credit programming, 2) academic quality assurance, and ongoing program quality review, and 3) Government of Alberta grant proposal calls relevant to expanding programs or enrolment. Additionally, the Learning and Development Lead supports the successful development and implementation of a new academic strategy and process: the NorQuest Quality Assurance Framework & Roadmap.

Reporting to the APM of AQPD, this position maintains internal liaison functions, supports integrated planning, and the achievement of the college’s strategic goals in NorQuest 2030: We are who we include and academic strategy Reimagine Higher Education: NorQuest 2030. The LDL works with the APM, Manager and team to support the implementation of college-wide and R&D quality assurance goals and objectives.

**HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE**:

- Lead community engagement and community-based research to drive forward Indigenous program development, and facilitate mutual understanding, respect, and learning between Indigenous Peoples and others
- Undertake a regional environmental scan of Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving programs across Canada, with emphasis on sectors such as entrepreneurship, trades, media and communications, technology, health, land stewardship, cultural revitalization, and governance.
- Engage with communities through sharing circles, conferences, and learning opportunities to build relationships and gather insights from Indigenous communities, grassroots innovators, and post-secondary institutions.
- Disseminate findings to the Program Development team.
- Work with program founders to plan, develop and implement sustainable, innovative programs that meet the needs of learners, the College and the wider community
- Mediate the process to include planning which is systematic and accounts for the need to be flexible within existing College and Government systems
- Attend Collegewide teaching and learning events to maintain connection to the wider priorities of the Programming Faculties
- Engage in Collegewide teaching and learning initiatives that impact new program development
- Collaborate with NorQuest’s internal teams, including Research and Academic Innovation and the Indigenous House of Learning, to align Indigenous program recommendations with broader institutional goals and initiatives.
- Contribute to the development of culturally-informed program proposals, concept briefs, and strategic recommendations that support Indigenous innovation and transformation within post-secondary education programs at NorQuest.

**WHAT YOU BRING**:

- Graduate degree in adult education or related field
- Accreditation in related professional field (for example ATA, TESL Canada, CLPNA, CPA) an asset
- 3-5 years’ experience in a post-secondary program environment[JL1] [JL2], which includes responsibility for program development.
- Direct experience in Indigenous program development, strategy, or community-based research in post-secondary, social enterprise, or community development contexts
- Ability to liaise with diverse groups to promote programming that is innovative, culturally grounded, and aligned with Indigenous community priorities
- Demonstrated contributions to institution-wide Indigenous engagement initiatives, including community consultation, visioning, and culturally responsive programming
- History of collaboration with Indigenous communities to co-create programming that is accessible, equitable, and rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being
- Experience conducting community engagement, interviews, and relational research to inform culturally-relevant program design, with respect for OCAP principles safeguarding Indigenous and local knowledge
- Demonstrated insight into Indigenous education pathways, community-defined priorities, and programming gaps or opportunities
- Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, communities, and organizations
- Experience facilitating between Indigenous communities, NorQuest leadership, and the program development team to help all stakeholders understand and hear one another
- Knowledge of decolonizing research and education methodologies
- Ability to critically analyze environmental scan findings, community feedback, and labour market trends to develop actionable program recommendations
- Excellent research, analytical, and culturally-informed problem-solving skills
- Experience with diverse pr