Job Description

Job Category M&P - AAPSJob Title Agroecological Transitions Research CoordinatorDepartment Research Support | Wittman Research Group | Food, Nutrition and Health Program | Faculty of Land and Food SystemsPosting End Date July 31, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End Date Jul 31, 2025Please include cover letter.1 year term position (possible extension).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 SummaryWorking in a dynamic and high-energy environment, the Agroecological Transitions Research Coordinator will assist and support transdisciplinary research on agroecological transitions with climate-vulnerable farming communities in Canada, Germany, India, and Brazil. The Coordinator, based at UBC\xe2\x80\x99s Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, will support a multi-institutional team examining the influence of agroecological networks and practices on climate adaptation and mitigation. This project works directly with farming communities, social movements, and policy makers to improve evidence-based decision-making to assess the potential of agroecological transitions for climate adaptation and mitigation.The ideal candidate has higher education research management experience with a focus on food system sustainability or agroecology. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in research facilitation, implementation, and evaluation as well as in organizational, data and financial management in a complex, multifaceted environment.Organizational Status
Reports to and works closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Hannah Wittman. Collaborates with co-leads from international project partners and other UBC units related to joint programming initiatives. Coordinates on- and off-site research activities with UBC faculty and students as well as external stakeholders to achieve project objectives. Hires and supervises up to 2 Work Learn students per year.Work PerformedResearch Project Coordination

• Development and maintenance of an online database, website, social media platforms, along with associated governance documents on data governance and stewardship.
• Oversees research project budget and funding disbursements in collaboration with the CSFS HR & Finance Coordinator.
• Participates in the development and review of Research Protocols including but not limited to: ethics applications, workshop guides and interview protocols, field activities including participant recruitment, farm mapping and the collection of biophysical data (i.e. soil carbon)
• Makes recommendations to country coordinators and PIs/project teams, on the development of the strategic process of researching, developing, implementing a form of communication and repository
• Oversee the coordination of regular team and farmer network/project partners communications
• Supports, in collaboration with PI and stakeholders, knowledge mobilization with international, regional, and local communities through outreach events, peer-reviewed publications, and other project materials and activities.
• Oversees the work of part-time students in the securing, organizing, storing and sharing of research data including literature reviews.
• Perform other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/JudgementFailure to meet these objectives could affect the reputation of CSFS and its future ability to attract funding, researchers, and students to contribute to the Centre\xe2\x80\x99s academic/research portfolio, jeopardizing the viability of the Centre\xe2\x80\x99s core operations.Supervision ReceivedWorks under the direction of Dr. Hannah Wittman. Exercises a high level of independent decision making. Keeps the PI informed and up-to-date on issues through regular meetings and collaborates closely the Project Steering Committee.Supervision Given
Supervises up to 2 seasonal student employees per year.Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree (MSc or PhD) is preferred, in a relevant discipline or mix of disciplines (education, agriculture, environmental sciences, ecology, food system science, geography, etc.).
• Proven research expertise: literature reviews, protocol development, field research design in on-farm settings, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, familiarity with publication procedure, research fund management and budgeting.
• Familiarity with the current social, ecological, and economic issues affecting food systems both locally and globally.
• Demonstrated experience and success in researching, writing and managing research grants.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UBC\xe2\x80\x99s organizational structures, relationships, policies, and protocols is an asset.
• Excellent organizational skills: able to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly to identify and prioritize multiple tasks with minimal supervision in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Strong written and oral English communication skills; strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, negotiating skills: able to communicate with diplomacy and tact to a multi-cultural audience;
• Proven collaborative leadership and vision with a strong track record for developing positive relationships with stakeholders and supporting a dynamic and creative team.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage, monitor, complete and evaluate multi-year projects within allocated time and resources; ability to identify, obtain and effectively manage organizational resources (e.g. people, materials, assets, budgets).
• Sound financial management in grant-funded enterprises, including financial tracking and reporting.
• Intermediate computer skills required (e.g. MS Office and online applications). Knowledge of data programming tools (e.g. R, Python and QGIS) at an intermediate level is preferred. Comfortable with learning new software and interested in developing data management skills.

University of British Columbia