Job Description

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Job Details
Special Advisor, Indigenous - (990195.2)
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Organizational Unit
University of Victoria -> VP Research -> VP - Research - Research Activities
Location
University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)
Posting Close Date
16 September 2025
Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.
FTE
1
Salary Grade
$91,290.00 - $118,764.00
Additional Posting Information
N/A
Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.
Classification
SG15
Employee Group:
PEA - Regular
# of Hires Needed
1
Category
Other
About this Opportunity
Accelerating Community Energy Transformation ( ) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.
Established at the University of Victoria in 2023, ACET builds on three decades of knowledge and innovation developed by the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) with industry, non-profit, government and community partners.
With support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres and Yukon University, led by the University of Victoria.
The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range: $91,290- $100,665 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
• Performance range: $118,764 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.

In accordance with the university's Preferential or Limited Hiring Policy (HR6110) and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to members of the following designated group(s). Candidates from the group(s) who wish to qualify for preferential consideration are encouraged to self-identify.

• Indigenous Peoples

The Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI) is in the early phases of drafting a policy and developing a process to verify declarations of Indigenous identity, citizenship and membership at UVic where these claims result in material advantages, such as employment in an Indigenous-specific position. While the policy is not in place at this time and will not be retroactively applied, candidates will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process should they apply for, or access, future opportunities resulting in material gain.
For more information about the ICD initiative, please visit the and please feel free to reach out to vpiicd@uvic.ca if you have specific questions or concerns.
Job Summary
Mandate:
The Special Advisor Indigenous position plays a critical role in helping ACET collaborate and co-design research with Indigenous communities in BC and across Canada through transparent, respectful, and meaningful engagement. Having a direct connection ACET's Executive Director and interfacing with the UVic Office of the Vice-President, Indigenous (VPI), as well as representatives from diverse Indigenous communities, this role will be responsible for ACET strategic planning and engagement activities with Indigenous communities, including community relations, issue management, resource planning, reporting and ACET Project development with Indigenous partners. The Special Advisor will also work with the ACET Research Culture and Learning officer to develop and incorporate specific Indigenous training and guidance for researchers. They will also provide strategic advice on Governance and ACET processes to properly embed principles of Indigenous rights and reconciliation and help to manage the SRA 5 Manager (Indigenous) and the network of Indigenous community Research Managers allowing for sharing knowledge and consistency.
The Special Advisor will understand and situate current and new ACET activities and Projects by collaborating across the ACET team, the VPI, Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE), as well as researchers and other ACET partners. They will also identify, build on, and work to build reciprocal, respectful, long term, and continuous relationships with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities to help them identify and develop and co-create ACET Projects. In collaboration with the VPI, the Special Advisor will ensure ACET implements relevant elements of the ACET institutions' Indigenous plans and associated policies, as well as the federal research funding agencies' Indigenous Research strategic plan, policies and recommended practices. They will also work across other ACET partner institutions to ensure ACET is contributing to those institutions' similar efforts towards Indigenous reconciliation. In addition, they will coordinate with other CFREFs to learn from and contribute to best practices in Indigenous research activities and training.
To be successful, the candidate will be well versed and experienced in working effectively and respectfully with Indigenous communities, ideally in the context of climate, sustainability, and energy. The candidate must also be a skilled collaborator and effective communicator with individuals and across team environments.
Objectives:

• Build respectful relationships with First Nations, Metis, Inuit communities in Canada, and eventually also international Indigenous communities, community organizations, political leadership, and other post-secondary institutions to formulate ACET Projects
• Provide leadership, guidance and direction on Indigenous engagement and co-creation activities across ACET activities and researchers, including leading the development of Indigenous partnered ACET Project development, approval and operations
• Provide timely and insightful guidance and advice to ACET team members and advise on Indigenous cultural perspectives and protocols
• Contribute to policies, strategies and implementation of actionable plans to maintain program initiatives in alignment with organizational strategic framework and objectives, including interfacing to relevant international Indigenous-led organizations

This position will support initiatives and events hosted by ACET that may take place in the evenings or on the weekends and requires the ability and willingness to work these hours as required. Some travel may be required including to remote communities.
Job Requirements
A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Graduate Degree in a relevant field, and five years of administrative and project management experience, including demonstrated Indigenous engagement work, and:
Experience:

• Experience working with Indigenous communities in Canada, preferably in the context of research, policy, climate action, or sustainability initiatives.
• Experience co-developing projects with Indigenous Nations or organizations, including community-based research or co-management partnerships.
• Experience presenting complex issues and opportunities to senior leadership, Indigenous governing bodies, and/or third-party partners.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice, research, and recommendations to support institutional or program planning.
• Demonstrated experience in technical writing, including proposals, reports, policy briefs, and summaries.
• Experience coordinating complex, multi-participant research or community-based projects, preferably within academic or cross-sectoral environments.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Deep knowledge and experience engaging with a range of Indigenous Nations and organizations, including but not limited to Coast and Straits Salish peoples, grounded in the application of appropriate cultural protocols and relational approaches.
• Strong understanding of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and their application in institutional or research contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to implement reconciliation-informed practices and approaches in research or project settings.
• Knowledge of project management best practices and ability to guide projects through all stages from concept to delivery.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy while contributing collaboratively to a cross-functional team.
• Demonstrated leadership in motivating, supervising, and mentoring diverse teams, including supporting Indigenous youth and early-career professionals.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex issues in a solutions-oriented manner.
• Strong communication skills, ability to adapt writing style to a variety of purposes and audiences, as well as good editing skills, ability to communicate complex concepts to both internal and external audiences
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time and manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Experience handling confidential and politically sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships, including in situations involving competing interests or systemic barriers.

Desirable Assets:

• Knowledge and experience specifically with one or more of: Indigenous nations in what is colonially known as BC, Yukon or Quebec.
• Expertise in research project development, preferably in renewable energy or climate areas;

Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and respect the L?k?????n (Songhees and X?seps?m/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the L?k?????n and WSANE? Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
Equity Statement: UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of .
Read our full equity statement here:
Accessibility Statement: If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact:

Skills Required