Staff - Non Union
Job Category
M&P - AAPS
Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level B
Job Title
Manager, Indigenous Initiatives
Department
Indigenous Engagement | Dean's Office | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range
$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date
July 1, 2025
Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The Manager, Indigenous Initiatives supports the coordination and implementation of projects, initiatives, and engagement activities under the Indigenous Engagement portfolio in the Faculty of Medicine (FoM). Working closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement, the Manager is responsible for organizing and advancing key initiatives aligned with the Faculty of Medicine’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action (“TRC”), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”), and recommendations from reports such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and In Plain Sight.
The incumbent engages senior Faculty leadership and broad stakeholders to understand and clarify goals and objectives, participate in the project conception process, manage several concurrent projects of varying size and complexity, and assume responsibility for their successful completion.
The Indigenous Engagement portfolio is responsible for strategically leading the Faculty’s efforts to Indigenous relationships and reconciliation. This position will play a role in supporting meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships and projects with Indigenous Peoples, nations, communities, and organizations to ensure reciprocity, cultural safety and collaborative partnerships that will support our mutual commitment to engagement in Truth and Reconciliation and collaborative evaluation of the Faculty’s response the TRC Calls to Action.
The Manager, Indigenous Initiatives receives high-level direction from the Director, Indigenous Engagement and the Vice Dean, Health Engagement.
Organizational Status
The Manager, Indigenous Initiatives supports the coordination and implementation of projects, initiatives, and engagement activities under the Indigenous Engagement portfolio in the Faculty of Medicine (FoM). Working closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement, the Manager is responsible for organizing and advancing key initiatives aligned with the Faculty of Medicine’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action (“TRC”), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”), and recommendations from reports such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and In Plain Sight.
The incumbent engages senior Faculty leadership and broad stakeholders to understand and clarify goals and objectives, participate in the project conception process, manage several concurrent projects of varying size and complexity, and assume responsibility for their successful completion.
The Indigenous Engagement portfolio is responsible for strategically leading the Faculty’s efforts to Indigenous relationships and reconciliation. This position will play a role in supporting meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships and projects with Indigenous Peoples, nations, communities, and organizations to ensure reciprocity, cultural safety and collaborative partnerships that will support our mutual commitment to engagement in Truth and Reconciliation and collaborative evaluation of the Faculty’s response the TRC Calls to Action.
The Manager, Indigenous Initiatives receives high-level direction from the Director, Indigenous Engagement and the Vice Dean, Health Engagement.
Work Performed
Operations & Administration:
- Works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement regularly dealing with complex issues of the Faculty of Medicine related to Indigenous partnerships, relationships, and other relevant activities. Ensures coordination with the Vice Dean, Health Engagement and others working on joint projects and initiatives.
- Facilitates the Faculty’s relationships and engagement with Indigenous leaders, organizations, nations, and communities as a key priority in supporting truth and reconciliation and the implementation of the Faculty’s Response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
- Works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement and relevant others on efforts dedicated to Indigenous relationships and reconciliation.
- Manages portfolio-related committees, councils and working/planning groups, ensuring that they fulfill their mandates in the most efficient and timely manner.
- Foster positive and productive relationships with Indigenous partners, managing day-to-day communications and addressing concerns related to projects.
- Works with the Development team in fundraising efforts to support and enable priorities and initiatives of the Indigenous Engagement portfolio.
- Oversees and manages portfolio commitments, requests for information, and meetings, and makes appropriate linkages with members of the FoM Dean’s Executive team and other relevant internal and external partners.
- Deals with highly confidential and sensitive material and matters, relating to FoM partnerships and relationships. A high level of integrity is required in maintaining confidentiality. Manages information in an extremely demanding environment requiring the highest level of tact, discretion, and sensitivity.
- Promotes engagement and awareness by facilitating dialogue and group conversations to explore how cultural identity, colonial history, power, privilege, systematic discrimination and other equity and inclusion issues influence group and interpersonal dynamics.
- In collaboration with the Director, Indigenous Engagement establishes working relationships and engages in meaningful collaborations with the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs, the UBC Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives, and the various UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation Committees, as appropriate.
- Works with the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health and UBC Health on cross-discipline initiatives and activities.
- Contributes to developing processes to identify, track and analyze data related to Indigenous issues in the learning and work environments and the development of metrics and evaluation process to measure progress.
- Participates in working groups, committees, advisory groups as requested to bring an Indigenous perspective to the group.
Project Management
- Identifies, manages, designs, leads and implements a variety of concurrent projects and emerging issues entrusted to the Office of Health Engagement to ensure efficient administration, organization and operations aimed to advance the strategic plan of the Faculty.
- Manage the development of strategic projects of varying complexity and risk, involving diverse stakeholders and with significant importance to the Faculty of Medicine.
- Conduct research, analysis and facilitate consultations to understand project purposes and intended outcomes, supporting the design and conception of projects that align with strategic objectives.
- Plan projects by defining the scope of work and deliverables required to achieve the intended outcome, estimating time and resource requirements.
- Consider change management implications and incorporate change management principles and best practices into project plans.
- Manage project activities, ensuring completion of action items and deliverables, and keeping projects on track towards achieving the intended outcome.
- Engage stakeholders from different units and functions in collaborative project work, valuing their input and incorporating change management principles and best practices. Make recommendations on potential options and courses of action.
- Develop and implement internal communication tools and business processes to keep team members informed about project status, scope changes, and milestone achievements.
- Plan and facilitate project meetings, focusing on advancing project goals, tracking decisions, and capturing action items for follow-up.
- Plans and leads conferences and events that involve a number of key stakeholders, providers and partners.
- In conjunction with portfolio members and the Faculty’s evaluation team, supports and enables development and implementation of an overall portfolio evaluation framework, and helps ensure its successful operation and completion. This includes support for development and implementation of an evaluation framework for the FoM’s Response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and help ensure it successful operation and completion.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position works independently with guidance, and will need to exercise a high degree of judgment and initiative. This position is responsible for making professional project decisions and recommendations that impact the success of projects that are vital to achieving the Faculty's strategic objectives. The portfolio routinely deals with sensitive and high priority issues. Tact and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters is essential. Through its close interaction with partner organizations, this position has direct impact on the credibility and integrity of the FoM within the health authorities, government, business, and academic communities and various other external stakeholders. If confidentiality is mishandled or breached, professional and academic careers may be affected. Disseminating incorrect information would greatly impact the reputation of the Faculty and the University as a whole. Failure to meet project targets or deadlines or lack of planning could adversely impact the reputation of the Faculty and the University. Errors in judgment with internal and external constituents could have negative impact on the Faculty and the University resulting in legal action, negative public relations, financial costs, and loss of credibility.
Supervision Received
This position works independently under the direction of the Director, Indigenous Engagement and the Vice Dean, Health Engagement. Reports to the Director, Indigenous Engagement and has a functional report to the Vice Dean, Health Engagement.
Supervision Given
Manages the work of project team members on a project basis.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline supplemented by course work related to anti-racism, discrimination and equity, diversity, and inclusion issues.
- A project management-related certificate or designation is preferred. Project coordination and/or management experience is preferred.
- Preference will be given to candidates with experiential knowledge of Indigenous peoples, culture and history.
- Proven intercultural competencies and ability to effectively communicate and interact with understanding and respect with members from diverse communities.
- Ability to work with multiple and diverse units across the Faculty and to develop and sustain effective and professional relationships.
- Collaborates well with others, gives and receives feedback skillfully, and is willing to address conflict with colleagues.
- An in-depth knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the impact of the colonialism on Indigenous health, wellness, and other social issues is expected.
- Experiential knowledge of Indigenous peoples, cultures, and histories is an asset.
- Knowledge of University and Faculty of Medicine policies, procedures, governance and administrative systems preferred.
- Excellent communication and public relations skills (spoken and written, formal and informal) and computer skills (e.g., with the MS Office Suite) are required.
- Must be intuitive as well as analytical. Ability to proactively identify next steps and options, in particular when encountering a challenge, is required.
- Must have strategic and system thinking skills, with strong attention to detail and ability to see the big picture.
- Proven ability to build and maintain business relationships at senior levels and in complex environments such as health care organizations or universities.
- Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, tact, and discretion when working with information of a confidential and/or sensitive nature and in dealing with various levels of senior administration and external agencies.
- Ability to manage projects that involve a variety of partners or stakeholders.
- Ability to develop, implement and evaluate project and communication plans.
- Flexible, comfortable working in ambiguity, and high action orientation and invigorated by change.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities, set work priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines within allocated time and resources.
- Ability to diagnose problems, identify underlying issues and effectively resolve the issues.
- Ability to mentor and coach staff, establish standards and goals, evaluate performance, provide feedback and take corrective action.
- Ability to consistently foster collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goals.