Job Description

Senior Research Security Specialist

Research Acceleration & Strategic Initiatives (RASI) supports the university research community in the incubation, development and management of research grants, infrastructure projects and initiatives. The office provides researchers and the university with services and programs that afford a competitive edge when applying for external research funding and ensures that the USask environment supports the safe and responsible conduct of research activities.

Primary Purpose: The Specialist acts an expert resource to the research community on new and changing requirements from the federal, provincial governments and international regulations on national security guidelines related to research partnerships. In doing so, the Specialist acts as the main point of contact for research security related matters. This position provides exemplary support and guidance, working across units to develop and implement services and programs. The Specialist also ensures USask related policies and procedures are current, reflect the changing landscape, and protect USask and its research community.

Nature of Work: The Senior Research Security Specialist is the champion for research risk management, security and safeguarding of research by providing expert support to the research community. The role identifies, develops and implements institutional strategies and policies to mitigate risk and safeguard research. The position is largely self-directed with emphasis on working collectively with units and colleges across campus, including the other OVPR units, centres, colleges, and other administrative units including Information and Communications Technology, Health and Safety, Graduate and Postdoctoral studies, Human Resources and faculty relations. In addition, the Specialist will supervise the Research Security Coordinator.

Strong leadership and vision are critical as this role brings in key stakeholders and decision-makers in creating and sustaining a \xe2\x80\x9cone-stop shop\xe2\x80\x9d for research security related matters, requests and education, all while ensuring excellent, seamless support is provided to researchers. Processes, training materials and tools will be developed to ensure USask research is protected through appropriate research security plans and research risk mitigation strategies. This also includes vetting the partners who work with USask on research projects and commercialization licenses to reduce reputational damage, risk to our intellectual property and/or loss of revenue. USask research and compliance related procedures and policies will continually be monitored by the Specialist in this dynamic environment and support provided to researchers to develop risk mitigation strategies to support research activities. This position will regularly consult and advise senior leaders and key stakeholders, and provide education to researchers, staff and research personnel on these matters.

Accountabilities:

• Conducts initial environmental scan and ongoing monitoring of institutional resources, tools, procedures, and services.
• Ensures USask policies and procedures are current and reflect research security requirements and risk mitigation efforts.
• Exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion to ensure the development of risk identification / mitigations strategies related to partnership agreements and others with national security considerations minimize institutional financial and reputational risk.
• Builds and oversees the process for developing/implementing identification and mitigation strategies for complex files on sensitive areas of research or partners.
• Develops mitigation forms for quality and compliance with granting agency regulations and oversees the review of research applications and risk assessment forms.
• Liaises with other units to develop coordinated approach to provide programs and services to support researchers and research personnel.
• Liaises with other universities and with government officials regarding leading practices and approaches for safeguarding research.
• Ensures compliance reports are developed on time, accurately, and in accordance with government guidelines (federal, provincial or international) and internal controls and processes.
• Lead the create of an online hub presence and implementation of \xe2\x80\x9cone-stop shop\xe2\x80\x9d, responsible for ensuring site has relevant content and current information.
• Creates, develops and maintains a library of leading practices.
• Responsible for developing and delivering educational and training materials for faculty, staff and students.

Education: A graduate degree is required. A Masters in a field such as Business or Operations Management, Public Policy, Political Science or International Relations is considered an asset. A combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in post-secondary progressive positions or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in leading teams.
• Experience interacting with all levels of an organization, from administrative staff to senior leadership.
• Background in investigations, compliance and monitoring or national security experience, as well as a background in intellectual property management is an asset.
• Experience working with federal ministries/agencies, particularly in the security and innovation context, with demonstrated understanding of the geo-political context relevant to research and innovation.
• Experience developing security components for research and innovation applications, proposals and partnerships, including advising on relevant security processes and approvals.
• Experience and knowledge of university policies and procedures and an understanding of the University\'s organizational structure, including its governance.
• An appreciation of the complexities, challenges and rewards of research.

Skills:

• Knowledge of university research administrative procedures and practices, preferably at a major university or college, government office.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and to deliver proactive, user-oriented services to stakeholders.
• Proven interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to work flexibly both within a team and independently.
• Effective time management skills with the ability to react to shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to manage multiple tasks with tight timelines.
• Ability to exercise judgment, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

Department: Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $81,037.00 - 134,978.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 6/22/2023
Closing Date: 7/13/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask\'s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan