Research Coordinator

**About Western**:
**About Us**:
The Faculty of Information and Media Studies is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about media, communications and information technologies. Through teaching and research, the Faculty examines the cultural industries, institutions, and practices that produce news, information and entertainment. It investigates the creation and operation of the technologies of communication and their interactions with persons and society. The Faculty interweaves theory and practice in professional and scholarly contexts. Strong programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels are linked to public and private sectors (e.g. government, libraries, media and cultural organizations, and community development) in an academic environment characterized by creative inquiry, critical thinking, interdisciplinarity and collaboration.

**Responsibilities**:
Position Summary: Research Coordinator, Tesserae: The Centre for Digital Justice, Community and Democracy at Western University

Note: This position is part of the Project Coordinator/Manager non-union job class

The Research Coordinator will be responsible for supporting and overseeing all aspects of one or more projects within a research group, department, or Faculty. The incumbent will coordinate and provide ongoing leadership of the project, and manage all project phases by setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and summarizing progress and results. The incumbent will engage various stakeholders, ensure project support and sponsorship, and provide leadership and direction to the project team.

Key goals of unit:

- Manage day-to-day operations of the Centre including coordinating among co-directors, research team members, university administrators, and community partners;
- Work collaboratively with research team members to carry out research projects including planning and participating in workshops, seminars, and other Centre events;
- Oversee and monitor the Centre’s budget and expenses;
- Disseminate the Centre’s work by maintaining its website and its social media accounts;
- Work with digital rights and social justice NGO’s, develop and participate in outreach and knowledge mobilization plans

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:
- Undergraduate Degree; Master's degree in information science, media studies, library and information studies, sociology, history, or another related field preferred

**Experience**:
- 2 years' work experience in a related field

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:
- Familiarity with best practices in building a strong collaborative team and leading people
- Familiarity with project life cycles
- Familiarity with techniques for planning, managing and coordinating multiple projects, with competing priorities that involve a variety of stakeholders
- Project management skills to ensure team roles are clear, milestones are communicated and deadlines are met
- Familiarity with best practices for change management
- Communication skills to clearly and effectively interact with all levels of the organization
- Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach employees to meet high performance standards
- Ability to interact professionally with students, staff, faculty, and other members of the University community
- Strong client focus with a desire to achieve results
- Understanding of, or interest in, the social implications of technology, technology policy and ethics, social movements and justice, technology industries, policymaking processes;
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with an attention to detail and proofreading abilities with an excellent command of languages;
- Minimum one year of relevant experience in managing projects in an office or research environment;
- Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner;
- Experience working with social justice community organizations and community-building;
- Experience in development and prospect research, particularly with respect to academic research funding opportunities;
- Demonstrated experience assisting with the bookkeeping tasks, assisting in preparation of budget, and assisting in the creation of performance reports;
- Ability to manage and update Centre’s website to reflect events, project progress, and related content;
- Proven team working skills with experience working in a group, while successfully completing their own tasks independently;
- Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and meet regular deadlines, while working independently and with mínimal supervision;
- Ability to organize and convene academic meetings, seminars and public events;
- Ability to coordinate academic researchers to foster knowledge creation and mobilization