Assistant, Indigenous Community Engagement

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which _we live, work and create_

The **Indigenous Student Centre** (ISC) offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support the academic, cultural, social, and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University. The ISC is a culturally activated space where students can meet, study, or relax between classes. We host weekly events, guest lectures, workshops, visiting artists, field trips and extra-curricular activities supporting Indigenous visual arts and culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Indigenous Engagement, the Assistant is responsible for providing administrative support for the Executive Director, and day-to-day support for the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC). As the first point of contact for the Executive Director, the Assistant will be responsible for coordinating meetings, maintaining calendars, and supporting Indigenous initiatives and projects led by the Executive Director, including the OCAD University (OCAD U) Indigenous Education Council. Acting as a resource for the ISC, and working closely with Centre staff, the Assistant provides administrative support to the Manager and supports the Centre as needed. The Assistant will develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous students, staff, faculty and the broader OCAD U community.

**Summary of Responsibilities**:

- Provide frontline support duties for the Executive Director, Indigenous Engagement; acting as the initial point of contact, responding to inquiries and requests for information, directing inquiries as appropriate
- Provide direct administrative support to the Executive Director, including scheduling appointments and meetings, ensuring all related background information and pertinent materials are provided for meetings, preparing detailed agendas, booking meeting spaces, making travel arrangements, preparing correspondence and reports
- Respond to online inquiries and requests to the Indigenous Student Centre for information, directing inquiries as appropriate; including answering and/or directing inquiries from students, faculty, staff and the public; providing information to students pertaining to processes, requirements, dates and deadlines
- Provide in-person support, at least one day per week, in the Indigenous Student Centre, including personal, guidance, support and crisis intervention to Indigenous students if/as needed; acting as a liaison between students and various individuals and offices within and external to the ISC
- Plan and coordinate events and activities for the Executive Director, including arranging catering, booking space on/off campus, and working with campus facilities and operations
- Draft communications on behalf of the Executive Director and the Indigenous Student Centre; sharing information and announcements to both internal and external community partners
- Act as the primary contact and support for the OCAD U Indigenous Education Council; drafting and managing communications to members, responding to requests for information, sharing relevant news and information about Indigenous OCAD and Indigenous initiatives on campus
- Schedule and coordinate quarterly meetings for the Indigenous Education Council; organizing catering, room booking, preparing meeting materials, taking minutes, as well as booking travel and accommodations for the annual in-person meeting
- Keep abreast of Indigenous OCAD U activities and work collaboratively with Indigenous staff and faculty to foster and maintain close relationships
- Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant university policies, procedures and practices, in order to effectively respond and direct Indigenous students, staff and faculty, as appropriate
- Support the Indigenous Student Centre’s communications as needed, including the ISC weekly newsletter, social media and the department’s website, to build awareness, promote events and ensure access to accurate information
- Assist with coordination and support of ISC events and weekly programming as needed
- Assist with the preparation of institutional documents and reports required for government and external stakeholders (e.g. Ministry of Colleges and Universities); liaise with government bodies and the external community as needed
- Track and manage expenses, complete financial forms such as credit card reconciliations, cheque requisitions, transfer requests; liaise with Finance for these purposes as required
- Perform such general clerical duties as: preparing and following up on work requests, and ordering all necessary supplies
- Support the Indigenous Student Centre in daily operations, special projects and other duties as needed

**Qualifications**:

- Indigenous citizenship (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), conne