Indigenous Research Advisor

The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), led by Dalhousie University, is one of the world's most significant ocean science research and training collaborations with partnerships extending globally, across many sectors such as university, government, research institutes, industry, NGO, and philanthropic. OFI manages several ocean research and training programs, including the Canada First Research Excellence Fund program, Transforming Climate Action: Addressing the Missing Ocean (TCA), a partnership between Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. For more information about OFI and the Transforming Climate Action program, visit transformclimateaction.ca and ofi.ca.

**Responsibilities**

Reporting to the TCA Scientific Director, the Indigenous Research Advisor will play a key role in the governance and management of the Transforming Climate Action program through developing, managing, and implementing strategy to ensure TCA meets its Indigenous engagement and collaboration goals.
- Develop and implement strategy to create and strengthen relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada focused on: i) meeting Indigenous communities where they are; ii) understanding their unique worldview and supporting opportunities to explore Indigenous Knowledge, and iii) creating meaningful opportunities for direct engagement and participation in research at the intersection of ocean-climate-people that can deliver results for Indigenous communities.
- Foster meaningful and respectful partnerships and communications with a goal of fostering long term research collaborations with Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada.
- Provide advice and reports to TCA governance committees on the TCA Indigenous Engagement Strategy, Indigenous research priorities, and implementation progress through attendance at meetings, and respond to enquiries as needed.
- Lead the development of community-specific protocols, knowledge-sharing agreements, collaborative research agreements and other governance documents to ensure successful research partnerships and collaborations among Indigenous and non-Indigenous research groups.
- Work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and Indigenous communities to co-develop and co-launch Indigenous-led research, including development of general and community-specific engagement plans tailored to the unique needs, desires, and processes of each Indigenous group that engages with TCA.
- Promote education for and provide advice to TCA researchers on respectful and meaningful engagement, Indigenous research methods and ways of knowing, including Indigenous cultural awareness training for all researchers and staff involved in TCA.

**Qualifications**
- An understanding of challenges particular to Indigenous Persons and communities generally, and in the ocean sector specifically, preferably through lived experience.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and respectfully to achieve goals.

Assets
- Previous experience working within a university research environment.
- Familiarity with Government of Canada Tri-Agency EDIA best practices, guidelines, and policies.
- Proven ability to manage joint accountability between yourself and staff or committee members to achieve results.
- Bilingualism/multilingualism, English, French, Mi'Kmaq or other Indigenous languages spoken in Eastern Canada.
- PhD in a relevant field.

**Work With Us**

This is a 3-year term position with possibility of extension.

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans and an employee and family assistance program.

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Occasional travel within Eastern Canada may be required.

Dalhousie's vaccine mandate has been suspended at this time, and employees no longer need to provide proof of full vaccination. However, health and safety risks to our community will continue to be monitored and a vaccine mandate may be reinstated if necessary.