Description
The Faculty of Social Work is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Specialist, Awards and Academic Writing.
This position reports to the Specialist, Research Funding, Awards & Facilitation, and works closely with the Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning, and the Dean, in a collaborative team environment with other staff within the Faculty of Social Work and the University. The Specialist, Awards and Academic Writing also collaborates with colleagues in other universities and organizations (e.g., through the Research Impact Canada Network) to keep abreast of best practices applied nationally and internationally at other post-secondary institutions and to maintain and develop productive working relationships with external colleagues.
Providing expert strategic direction and support in the development and navigation of awards nominations and grants submission is a major priority, with additional accountabilities for provision of leadership and training related to academic writing capacity building within the Faculty, as well as knowledge dissemination, developing internal materials and advising on complex Faculty- and University-level internal and external processes, guidelines and timelines, requiring conceptual and practical expertise and ability to take new perspectives on existing/standard solutions.
The Specialist, Awards and Academic Writing will lead multiple writing projects with varied deadlines simultaneously, which will require expert judgement based on the analysis of multiple sources of information, advanced analytical thinking and problem-solving expertise, advanced knowledge and expertise in the area of awards, academic writing, awards and grants in Social Work and other related areas and disciplines, effective negotiation and management of competing interests with satisfactory outcomes for all involved.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Provide strategic direction to faculty members, associate deans and senior faculty administrators regarding the award process
- Lead research and teaching award nomination and funding proposal development, including acting as an in-scope supervisor for faculty members' team members
- Develop and navigate internal and external, provincial, national and international, awards
- Work collaboratively with Faculty award and other committees to identify candidates and lead them and their teams throughout the awards process
- Maintain and develop productive working relationships with Faculty and University internal and external colleagues
- Maintain application and awards database and other critical and often confidential resources and materials in a consistent and accurate manner
- Liaise with Research Services Office and other University internal and external units and departments on award development and reporting
- Keep abreast of new award opportunities from the University of Calgary, other Universities, government, private and not-for-profit foundations and industry relevant for members of the faculty
- Deal effectively with complex issues using expert judgement and advanced knowledge, experience and expertise, and initiate solutions taking new perspectives on existing solutions and based on applicable guidelines and policies in the area of expertise and related areas
- Lead projects, teams and team members, and advise/coach those with less experience on training related to academic writing capacity building and nomination/proposal development
- Advise on and support knowledge dissemination (e.g., publications)
- Provide expert writing support for Faculty of Social Work documentation and communications
Qualifications / Requirements:
- MSW or Doctoral degree in a Social Sciences/Humanities or Health related discipline is required
- 8+ years of related experience in a research environment required, preferably including 2+ years in a research facilitation role in Social Work or a related discipline in a university setting
- Expert knowledge of the global research and publishing landscape, research funding and awards landscape, including requirements of research funding and other agencies (SSHRC, CIHR, Mitacs, GoA, PHAC, RSC, CAHS, Killam as well as (preferably) UCalgary internal such as grants through the Taylor Institute and the VPRO), and knowledge mobilization, in a health/social work discipline, supported by ongoing professional development, such as certificates, attendance of relevant conferences, serving on external (e.g., national) review committees and other opportunities, is required
- Experience, supported by demonstrated success, with research and teaching award nominations, including (preferably) UCalgary research and teaching award nominations, as well as municipal, provincial, national and international nominations, is required
- Familiarity with research chair nominations, including (preferably) Canada Research Chairs, is required
- Expert understanding of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and EDIAD considerations in funding and award nominations, as these relate to traditional metrics, is required
- Expert understanding of transdisciplinary scholarship, is required
- Experience supporting grants and/or award nominations which include Indigenous research and ways of doing, being, knowing and connecting, is required
- Solid experience working with and overseeing the work of research assistants, is required
- Experience supporting, developing and facilitating workshops and/or writing retreats, is required
- Proficiency in MS Office software applications, Sharepoint and bibliographic software is required
- Experience with ethics applications is a strong asset
- Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across the research project lifespan is required
- Highly effective time management and project management, independent thought, discretion, personal initiative, and teamwork are required
- Ability to multitask and handle multiple simultaneous priorities in an effective, efficient manner is required
- Strong organizational and client service skills, accuracy, and attention to detail are required
- Experience with developing and delivering targeted ca training on writing, knowledge synthesis, and dissemination is required
- International research and teaching experience in a university environment is a strong asset
- Excellent understanding of university and Faculty of Social Work strategic vision, organization and resources is required
Application Deadline: August 4, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
