Administrative Assistant

**Classification & Regular Hours**: Hours per Week: 35 Salary Grade: Level M Please note, this is a wholly grant funded position. **About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: The Western Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations facilitates research that draws on academic knowledge to inform public policy and practice on migration and ethnic relations in Canada and internationally. The goals of the Centre are to foster interdisciplinary research among faculty and students on questions of direct relevance to migration and ethnic relations, provide training opportunities for students beyond the borders of their own discipline and Western, and forge links with policy makers, the academic community in Canada and internationally, and the community at large. **Responsibilities**: The Administrative Assistant will provide support for a variety of administrative tasks, which support the smooth and effective operations of the Pathways to Prosperity Partnership in the Western Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations. The Administrative Assistant will serve as a resource and point of contact for internal and external Partnership parties in regards to administrative matters, answering or re-directing inquiries as appropriate. The Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to Partnership Chairs and staff including arranging travel, assisting with special projects, and drafting correspondence and announcements. The Administrative Assistant will perform a range of tasks ensuring that deadlines and schedules are met, such as researching and ordering office and conference supplies, planning and coordinating meetings, workshops, and conferences, and facilitating the preparation of meeting minutes and assisting with distribution. The Administrative Assistant will provide support for the implementation of financial functions and for hiring as required. The Administrative Assistant will be required to travel for the annual conference and for in-person workshops. **Qualifications**: **Education**: - 2 year Community College Diploma in Business Management/Administration/ Finances - Undergraduate degree in business administration, finances, or related field is preferred **Experience**: - 2 years’ experience providing administrative and financial support and customer service in a public-facing office setting Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Knowledge of general office procedures including records management systems - Ability to plan and coordinate events, ensuring all details are executed on a timely basis and within budget - Ability to ensure expenditures and resources are within allotments, and to make appropriate modifications as required - Verbal and written communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience - Ability to establish effective routines for excellent communication with all members of the team to maximize productivity - Demonstrated ability take initiative, to work independently and follow through on work assignments - Competency to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion - Ability to establish rapport with people from diverse backgrounds, and to communicate with all members of the Partnership in a professional manner - Demonstrated ability to understand and resolve external and internal partner issues - Ability to maintain a positive, outgoing attitude with genuine customer service orientation with a desire to deliver helpful and reliable service to the Partnership - Ability to follow formal business practices with high attention to detail - Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment - Adapts readily and effectively to changing priorities and demands - Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students, members of the Partnership, and the public - Ability to demonstrate patience and focus to complete detailed administrative tasks - Ability to interact professionally with students, staff, faculty, and other members of the University community and Pathways to Prosperity Partnership - Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals - Familiarity with Western policies and guidelines preferred **Union Statement**: **Western Values Diversity**: Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment p