Job Description

Please refer to the job aid for instructions on how to apply.If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).Position Summary:McGill University is seeking a Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) for an ambitious new research initiative, "DNA to RNA: An Inclusive Canadian Approach to Genomic-based RNA Therapeutics " (D2R), that is supported by the Government of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s Canadian First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) by a $165 million grant and additional funding from multiple other organizations over seven years, starting in 2023. D2R integrates complementary Canadian and international research strengths at McGill and D2R partner sites into a unified program designed to make D2R a global leader in the discovery, development and delivery of genomics-based RNA Therapeutics. It creates a unique interdisciplinary assembly of discovery and innovation that links genomic insight directly to RNA-driven target discovery and therapeutic development, underpinned by the data science and social science methodologies required to interpret and translate the resulting knowledge benefit. Through partnership with industry, D2R is intended to translate a strong base of genomics, RNA science and clinical research into new therapies, and to address the policy and social issues that will arise for these advances.Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are embedded as foundational principles in the Canada First Research Excellence Fund\xe2\x80\x99s (CFREF) objectives, expected outcomes, and reporting requirements. The Government of Canada expects that CFREF-funded initiatives will demonstrate exceptional leadership in contributing to transforming their research disciplines and Canada\xe2\x80\x99s research ecosystem to help it become equitable, diverse and inclusive. To meet the expectation in EDI, McGill will take active and rigorous measures to prevent the systemic barriers that may result in individuals from underrepresented groups receiving unequal access to, or being excluded from participating in, the opportunities provided by the grant. This includes the composition of D2R\xe2\x80\x99s governance committees, evaluation processes used to provide funding within the initiative, and recruitment and selection processes. In addition, the D2R program embraces McGill\xe2\x80\x99s firm commitment to EDI. To ensure the full implementation and sustainability of McGill\xe2\x80\x99s institutional strategies in this area, EDI is integrated at all levels of D2R governance and management. The mandate of the Senior Advisor EDI is focused on implementing and operationalizing the EDI Strategy and Action Plan across all D2R programs and activities.Senior Advisor EDI will be based in the D2R support unit and reports to the D2R Director of Administration and works closely with the Chief Science Officer (CSO), D2R scientific leadership, and governance committees. The Senior Advisor EDI will have access to a range of resources and information and liaise with McGill\xe2\x80\x99s Equity Office, the Office of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, and Faculty-based EDI programs and staff support.Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide efficient and effective subject matter expertise in all aspects of EDI to ensure institutional compliance with the Government of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s requirements for EDI in CFREF funded initiatives. This requires a deep understanding of EDI principles such as identifying and preventing systemic barriers that may result in individuals from underrepresented groups receiving unequal access to, or being excluded from participating in, the opportunities provided by D2R.
• Provide leadership and guidance about EDI to D2R scientists, leadership, and partner organization (industry, government, and academic institutions) in order to develop and implement strategies and plans for EDI at all levels of the D2R initiative.
• Oversee the implementation of the EDI Action Plan across all D2R activities and programs.
• Oversee and monitor the progress of the EDI Action Plan throughout the duration of D2R by setting up efficient processes for tracking metrics and key performance indicators described in the D2R Performance Management Plan (PMP). Make recommendations to D2R leadership for strategic course correction as deemed necessary to meet and exceed the Government of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s requirements and expectations for EDI.
• Lead research activities in D2R-related fields such as an environmental scan, literature review, consultation, focus groups, data collection and analysis to continuously inform and update D2R\xe2\x80\x99s EDI Action Plan to meet evolving requirements and expectations by various stakeholders.
• Manage contractual personnel such as research assistants and research associates who will assist in the research activities related to EDI.
• Manage the relationships with D2R stakeholders regarding EDI and establish a culture of ongoing engagement of the D2R research community in EDI by organizing outreach activities such as speaker series, panels discussion, conduct surveys and ensure adequate communication of updates and information.
• Liaise with the funding agencies regarding the interpretation of guidelines, directives, and reporting requirements as it relates to EDI.
• Attend senior level meeting of the D2R governance committees and bring expertise related to EDI and help to ensure that EDI principles are applied across the entire D2R program.
• Take a leading role in the Research Steering sub-committee \xe2\x80\x9cPartner and Community Engagement: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion\xe2\x80\x9d (PCE), which is the key committee for EDI planning and implementation. Support the PCE in designing surveys that will collect experiences and recommendations concerning cultural safety, physical and cognitive accessibility, sense of belonging, and equity in processes within D2R research spaces.
• Develop, apply and promote diversity initiatives and share best practice for EDI within D2R. Develop and deliver training sessions for D2R scientists, trainees and partners organizations related to best practice in EDI.
• Advise D2R leadership on implementation of EDI elements in D2R funding programs and the evaluation of such elements. Facilitate presentations to stakeholders.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion in a field related to higher education.
• Excellent administrative skills with a record of successfully bringing together diverse stakeholders and experts from across disciplines, sectors, and jurisdictions.
• Strong scientific/research background to develop survey tools and data collection, evaluate, and analyze information.
• Ability to think strategically and identify high-risk research developments at a very early stage.
• Direct experience developing strategies and building projects to ensure their success within a public or private sector research environment.
• Self-motivated, with strong organizational skills, able to effectively prioritize a wide range of responsibilities, able to supervise multiple projects simultaneously, and to work well under pressure.
• Strong technical skills in the Office 365 suite, Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Must be able to meet tight deadlines and demonstrate a high level of leadership and professionalism in working with a team of people to achieve specific outcomes.
• Service-oriented approach to people and a proven ability to problem solving.
• Bilingual in both written and spoken English and French is required.
• McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing.

\xe2\x80\x8b\xc2\xab Connaissance du fran\xc3\xa7ais et de l\'anglais: L\'Universit\xc3\xa9 McGill est une universit\xc3\xa9 de langue anglaise o\xc3\xb9 les t\xc3\xa2ches quotidiennes peuvent n\xc3\xa9cessiter une communication verbale et \xc3\xa9crite en anglais. Le niveau d\xe2\x80\x99anglais requis pour ce poste a \xc3\xa9t\xc3\xa9 d\xc3\xa9termin\xc3\xa9 comme \xc3\xa9tant de niveau# 4(qualificatif) sur une \xc3\xa9chelle de 0-4.\xc2\xbb\xe2\x80\x9cKnowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.\xe2\x80\x9dMinimum Education and Experience: Bachelor\'s Degree 5 Years Related Experience /Annual Salary: (MPEX Grade 06) $79,320.00 - $99,150.00 - $118,980.00Job Profile: MPEX-COM3A - Internal External Relations - Senior Professional/ManagerHours per Week: 33.75 (Full time)Supervisor: Director AdministrationPosition End Date (If applicable):Deadline to Apply: 2024-08-20McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, .

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