Communications and Knowledge Translation Officer, Indigenous Health Research

In March 2020, Canada’s national health research funder, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, announced funding to establish nine Indigenous health research centres across the country under its Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) program. This network of centres is intended to be funded from 2020 to 2035 (15 years), to create and sustain supportive research environments driven by and grounded in Indigenous communities in Canada.

The nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research, Training and Mentorship Networks that make up the Saskatchewan NEIHR (SK-NEIHR, skneihr.ca) are a dynamic, vibrant group of over 100 researchers and community partners, led by Indigenous academics, in partnership with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, FSIN, and other community partners. Our community-post secondary network celebrates our diverse Indigenous identities, cultures, languages and traditional homelands, including the resistance and resilience of our ancestors to European colonization and Settler society. The majority of our network members are First Nations and Métis people of this territory, and as such our commitment to one another extends far beyond research partnerships and funding opportunities. Collectively, we, our parents, grandparents, and our children spent our childhoods in the families and communities this network serves.

Our Network’s Vision: For all First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan to experience optimal health and wellness across their lifespan. At the heart of our vision is a shared understanding that the knowledge, wisdom, resilience, and innovation of Métis and First Nations Peoples are foundational to the wellbeing of our families and communities, and are key to research and interventions aimed at eliminating endemic health disparities and structural inequities that contribute to poor health and social outcomes.

For more information about our network and its activities, we encourage you to visit our website and Facebook page.

Primary Purpose:

The primary purpose of these roles is to provide leadership in the development and implementation of innovative, effective and sustainable internal and external communications and knowledge translation strategies for the Saskatchewan NEIHR network, ensuring alignment with the Network’s goals, and those of the partner universities and organizations. Communications and Knowledge Translation Officers are responsible for creating original content in a variety of forms, for communication and knowledge translation purposes. This work will be undertaken with the support of Dr. Robert Henry and other principal investigators of the SK-NEIHR, Ms. Fleur Macqueen Smith, the SK-NEIHR’s Manager, and the SK-NEIHR’s Communications and Knowledge Translation Committee. These are two-year term positions, with possibility of extension dependent on network funding and candidates’ performance.

Nature of Work:
The Communications and KT Officers are responsible for leading all internal and external communications and knowledge translation activities across a wide span of audiences. This includes content creation from idea generation, through to production of communication and knowledge translation products, and their dissemination and uptake. Officers will use integrated knowledge translation methods, per CIHR definitions (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29418.html#5.2), and community-engaged processes guided by First Nations and Metis stakeholders, to synthesize, disseminate and exchange research knowledge so that it can be applied to improve the health and wellbeing of Métis and First Nations peoples in Saskatchewan.

Officers report to Ms. Fleur Macqueen Smith, the SK-NEIHR’s Manager, and are accountable to Dr. Robert Henry, the nominated principal investigator who leads the SK-NEIHR.

These positions involve considerable judgement and discretionary decision-making in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of communications and knowledge translation plans. Incumbents will work both independently and collaboratively within the Network, within University of Saskatchewan where the positions are placed, and with the other university, community and government partners. It is expected that incumbents develop a strong understanding of the Network’s mandate, goals, initiatives, culture and stakeholders. It is critical that they establish and maintain positive relationships with the Network’s Principal Investigators, other faculty, staff and students, those in partner universities and organizations, and those in other NEIHR networks across Canada, and the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre (its Secretariat). Incumbents are expected to have a strong ability to work independently, taking initiative and ownership over the communications and knowledge translation portfolios, and be able to represent the SK-NEIHR positively, especially outside academic environments. The consequence of error is significant to the reputation of the SK-NEIHR as we prepare to apply for a renewal of our funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, planned for 2024.

The networks’ offices are located at Station 20 West in Saskatoon, with some travel to meet with researchers at University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and First Nations University, people in First Nations and Métis communities throughout Saskatchewan, and staff of community organizations. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced, and will require occasional work in evenings and on weekends.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
Work will be undertaken with the direction, guidance, and support of the Saskatchewan NEIHR’s Manager, Nominated Principal Investigator, members of the Communications and KT Committee, and the Network’s Research Leads.

The Communications and KT Officers will be involved in a range of tasks, including:

Education: A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as English, communications, journalism, or marketing. A master’s degree in a related field would be a considerable asset.

Experience: At least five years of experience in a similar role, with experience working with Indigenous and allied researchers and community partners in an academic research environment or similar environment. Incumbents should be familiar with First Nations and Métis communities in Saskatchewan and have strong relationship-building skills, in order to engage respectfully with Indigenous and allied community members, researchers, students and others.

Strong preference for Indigenous candidate. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to employment equity and diversity. Applications from Indigenous persons are especially encouraged for this role, particularly those with First Nations, Métis or Inuit identity. The University of Saskatchewan relies on section 48 of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code to give preference of employment to Indigenous candidates. If relevant, please include this as part of your application, and describe your relationship with your community or communities.

Skills:

• Demonstrated strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills, including effective planning, management and evaluation of multiple projects, and the ability to adjust to changing priorities and circumstances while remaining calm and supportive.
• Familiarity with First Nations and Métis communities in Saskatchewan, and experience working in an Indigenous research or similar environment
• Highly effective interpersonal communications, with the capacity to build consensus and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders while exercising diplomacy, judgment and tact, in order to engage respectfully with Indigenous and allied community members, researchers, students and others
• Excellent writing skills, and experience in graphic design, photography, and videography
• Technical experience with contemporary computer applications, social media and web platforms, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Cascade, Facebook, Instagram, MailChimp, Zoom, Office.
• Strong event management skills, with the ability to work with multiple stakeholders to produce effective events
• Ability to both exercise independent initiative, and work collaboratively with researchers, staff, and community members. Strong team player.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Fleur Macqueen Smith atfleur.macqueensmith@usask.ca

Department: Indigenous Studies
Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $64,107.00 - 100,169.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band:Phase 2
Posted Date: 2/9/2023
Closing Date: 2/16/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings:2
Work Location:On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where ’Yes’ is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check:Not Applicable
Driver’s License and Abstract Check:Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification:Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check:Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan’s health and safety requirements for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.