Job Description

Dalhousie supports the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Dalhousie\'s Strategic Plan 2021-2026, Si\'st Kasqimtlnaqnipunqekl Teli L\'wi\'tmasimk/Third Century Promise, has reaffirmed our commitment to deep and meaningful partnerships and relationships with Indigenous Peoples across Canada, especially the Mi\'kmaw Nation, on whose territory Dalhousie\'s largest campuses reside.Reconciliation is everyone\'s responsibility and requires a strong understanding about the truth of colonialism in Canada and a fundamental shift in goals, structures, policies, and behaviours. In this spirit of reconciliation and in keeping with the recommendations of Dalhousie\'s Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) and the goals and initiatives identified in Dalhousie\'s Indigenous Strategy, we invite applications to the new position of Vice-Provost, Indigenous Relations (VPIR).The VPIR will report to the Provost and Vice-President Academic. The VPIR will work as a key partner to the Vice-Provost Equity & Inclusion and Vice-President People & Culture and as a senior strategic advisor to the President and Vice-Chancellor and the broader senior leadership team.Dalhousie University commits to providing the supports and resources necessary to allow the VPIR to succeed in their role including appropriate budget and administrative resources in keeping with recommendations made in the .The VPIR will work closely with a constellation of people and units involved in Indigenous initiatives at Dalhousie, including the Director of Indigenous Community Engagement, with senior leaders in Faculties and units across the university, and Indigenous Committees, Councils, and working groups across campus, to develop, implement, and promote high-visibility, high-impact initiatives for Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation. Through collaboration, the VPIR will continue to advance necessary and constructive change and will work to enhance the access, experience and engagement of Indigenous faculty, staff, and students at Dalhousie. It is expected that the VPIR will further shape the role based on the priorities of Indigenous Nations in Canada and Dalhousie University. This role will also continue strengthening relationships and collaborating directly with local and regional Indigenous communities served by Dalhousie.
Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the institutional lead for Dalhousie\'s Indigenous Strategy, working collaboratively to increase institutional capacity and expertise to ensure its successful implementation, measuring and communicating progress along the way.
• Work with other senior leaders to coordinate, assess, enhance, and report on various Indigenous initiatives, programs, and projects across Dalhousie and serve as a coordinating and amplifying presence for the many units and people involved in Indigenous initiatives across the university.
• Collaborate with university leaders in consultation with the Mi\'kmaq, the Wolastoqiyik, the Peskotomuhkati, and other Indigenous peoples to develop an Indigenous hiring and retention strategy and further support pathways into higher education, transition and orientation programming, student retention, and degree progression for Indigenous students.
• Provide leadership provincially, nationally, and internationally on behalf of Dalhousie on issues related to Indigeneity and engage Indigenous populations in the region, including urban communities, in active collaboration with the Director of Indigenous Community Engagement.
• In partnership with the Vice-President People & Culture and the Vice-Provost Equity & Inclusion, serve as an advocate for Indigenous faculty, staff and students, prioritizing actions that will reduce barriers and enhance engagement and experience for these groups at the university.
• Play a consultative leadership role concerning research conducted by and with Indigenous Peoples.

Note
Required Qualifications

• Be an Indigenous person, with priority given to Mi\'kmaw, Wolastoqiyik, or Peskotomuhkati candidates in recognition of the territories in which Dalhousie University resides.
• Have a record of demonstrated leadership experience.
• Hold a graduate degree or other comparable combined qualifications.
• Possess exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage in difficult conversations and build consensus.
• Have an understanding of the various policies, statutes, and reports pertaining to Indigenous people and the post-secondary education sector and of initiatives, programs, and transformative practices in support of Indigenous education, student success, and community engagement.

Assets

• Demonstrate a substantial connection to the Mi\'kmaw, Wolastoqey, and/or Peskotomuhkati Nations and have respectful relationships with Indigenous leaders in the region.
• Leadership experience within an academic context and a clear understanding of, or experience with, academic administration, processes, and procedures.
• Leadership experience within Indigenous community organizations.
• A record of mentorship or training in Indigenous knowledges and skills either at the community or institutional level.
• Competency in an Indigenous language.
• Experience working with post-secondary institutions in teaching, advising, and/or planning roles.
• Knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies, ethics, and experience with, plus the ability to provide guidance on policy or practice in this area.
• Experience working with organizational leadership, boards, and executive teams.
• Experience in financial and human resources management.

Job CompetenciesLike all senior leaders at Dalhousie, the VPIR will be expected to demonstrate the and competencies that make up the Dalhousie Competencies. Of particular interest to the committee will be the following competencies:

• Thinking and Acting Strategically
• Respect & Inclusion
• Communication
• Relationship Building
• Change and Innovation

Additional InformationFor more information and to review the candidate brief, please contact .
Application Consideration
Diversity StatementDalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. In keeping with the principles of reconciliation and with Dalhousie\'s Employment Equity Plan and the nature of this position, the position is designated to Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island with priority given to Mi\'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, or Peskotomuhkati candidates in recognition of the territories that Dalhousie University serves. Please note that to be considered, you must self-identify in your application materials. Applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation during the search process to validate self-identification. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups, please visitIf we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and any way we can assist. Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed .Posting Detail InformationNumber of Vacancies 1
Open Date 07/03/2024
Close Date 09/08/2024
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to PostingSupplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).Documents Needed to ApplyRequired Documents * Cover Letter

• R\xc3\xa9sum\xc3\xa9 / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents

Dalhousie University