Apply online here. Application Deadline: November 1, 2022.
Learn more about the Knowledge Engagement team
Position Overview
The Office of Research Services, VP Research invites applications for a Knowledge Engagement Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reports to the Manager, Knowledge Engagement and is responsible for building capacity and supporting Knowledge Engagement activities on and off campus. Knowledge engagement (KE), which includes work in community-engaged scholarship, knowledge translation, knowledge mobilization, and experiential learning, among others, is tied to the foundational commitments of University of Calgary’s Eyes High vision. Knowledge engagement is a dynamic and reciprocal process in which multiple stakeholders come together to address mutually identified problems. The purpose of this deliberate engagement is for the co-creation, synthesis, and application of knowledge and evidence to benefit the community at large. A central tenet of Knowledge Engagement is the notion of impact i.e., making a difference in the communities we serve. Working under the direction of the Manager, the Knowledge Engagement Specialist will provide support for the development and delivery of services to further enhance these efforts at the University of Calgary in pursuit of our Strategic Research Plan. This position will work closely with other units on campus including, but not limited to, Innovate Calgary, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, Community Engagement, and Faculty- or Institute-based units. The incumbent will work with these groups and individuals to coordinate services and build a community of practice.
The incumbent is responsible for delivering services and achieving outcomes established by the leadership of the Knowledge Engagement team, under the direction of the Manager, Knowledge Engagement, and working closely with the team’s Communications Specialist and counterparts in other service units on campus.
The primary purpose of this position is to build capacity and provide support services in Knowledge Engagement. The Knowledge Engagement Specialist will play a key role in brokering relationships between community and academic partners for research. This will include acting as a point of contact for external organizations looking to partner with University of Calgary researchers, and working with other stakeholders to develop these relationships for research. The incumbent will be responsible for organizing and delivering information sessions and training opportunities in Knowledge Engagement to the campus research community (faculty, staff and students). The incumbent will also collect, organize, and develop resources and guides to support Knowledge Engagement activity, to be provided via the team’s web portal. Ultimately, this position is intended to help maximize the impact of research at the University of Calgary by facilitating community engagement in the research enterprise and ensuring effective communication of research results.
The Specialist will provide grant application development support in the areas of knowledge mobilization and translation, with a focus on custom support for large and complex applications, and development of toolkits and other resources to support high-volume competitions.
This position works as part of a small team within the Institutional Programs Division of Research Services to support Knowledge Engagement activities in aid of our strategic research goals.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Research Partnership Matchmaking and Collaboration Support
- As first point of contact, solicits, receives, and reviews inquiries from community organizations and faculty members seeking research collaborators
- Strategically identifies possible matches using internal databases (either existing, or developing resources as needed), formal and informal networks, and referrals and acts as a broker for community and academic partners
- Exercises excellent judgement and communication in brokering partnerships, demonstrating high-level understanding of ongoing institutional relationships, strategic priorities, and the diverse needs of community organizations
- Establishes and maintains positive and effective working relationships with constituents both internal and external to the University
- Effectively navigates and mediates complex partnership situations, referring stakeholders to other relevant contacts as necessary, to facilitate mutually beneficial and positive partnership experiences
- Manages ongoing knowledge engagement support for a high case load of research collaborations and community-engaged research projects and programs (including organizing and facilitating meetings and communication plans)
- Acts as key contact for other UCalgary units seeking Knowledge Engagement support for initiatives and programs
Knowledge Mobilization Planning and Support
- Proposes, co-develops and/or supports the implementation of knowledge mobilization and research communication strategies, plans and activities for research projects at any stage (integrated or end-of-project)
- Provides consultation, feedback and advising on effective knowledge mobilization plans to facilitate success in research funding applications (Tri-Agency and other strategic opportunities)
- Provides expert-level knowledge mobilization support for other units and teams at the University of Calgary
- Facilitates the integration of Knowledge Engagement supports into processes and activities of other Research Services teams
Communication, Networking and Outreach
- Represents the University of Calgary and the Knowledge Engagement unit in local, provincial and national knowledge mobilization networks for post-secondaries and other institutions and organizations (e.g. communities of practice, professional development, committees) and at external events (e.g. conferences)
- Provides leadership and participates actively in the work of provincial and national networks (ie. Research Impact Canada) including through committee work and support for the development of network resources and activities
- Ensures University research community is kept informed of emerging local, provincial and national opportunities and best practices in Knowledge Engagement and communicates activity in this sphere
- Develops and co-delivers a series of information and training sessions on Knowledge Engagement to be offered to University of Calgary faculty, staff, students and community partners through a variety of formats (in-person and on-line)
- Proactively seeks opportunities for outreach with the wider community; develops plans and activities for outreach both for the Knowledge Engagement team and in collaboration with other units on campus
- Identifies, develops and facilitates research communication opportunities
Development of Resources
- Develops and maintains resources that will improve the quality of Knowledge Engagement across the University. Resources may include, for example, accessible writing guides and toolkits for knowledge translation and mobilization
- Develops and compiles database of University of Calgary research and researchers relevant to public policy, public health, and social sciences and humanities research
- Develops and compiles data of community organization contacts and research needs
- Maintains library (electronic) of Knowledge Engagement materials, reference and resources
Reporting and Evaluation
- Maintains detailed record of activities for reporting purposes
- Assists in the preparation of quarterly and annual reports for internal and external distribution
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject; combined with five years of related work experience; or a graduate degree combined with three years of related work experience
- Experience should include working in an academic or community-based environment, with an emphasis on partnership building and research facilitation
- Strong subject matter expertise in knowledge translation, knowledge mobilization, and knowledge brokering techniques (including negotiation and mediation)
- Capacity to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with researchers, community partners, colleagues, and other stakeholders
- Ability to develop and lead effective workshops and networking events
- Sound understanding of the University’s mission, academic plan, and strategic research plan
- Superior interpersonal skills, flexibility, tact and perseverance
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Capacity to adjust the work schedule to meet multiple demands and pressures, and a demonstrated ability to provide a consistently high level of service
- Good working knowledge of standard office software, University business systems, including Microsoft Office, PeopleSoft and SharePoint, is essential
- Facility with social media platforms would be considered an asset
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.