Position Title
Director, African Nova Scotian Community Engagement (Designated Position)
Department/Unit
People and Culture
Location
Halifax / Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
18 months
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1.0
Salary
$80,471 - $107,943 per annum
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
In late 2018, Dalhousie University recognized descendants of the historic African Nova Scotian communities as a distinct people and acknowledged how they have shaped this province and University over centuries as part of the University Proclamation on the International Decade for People of African Descent. That proclamation also committed Dalhousie to take action on strengthening the relationship with the African Nova Scotian community through the development of a Dalhousie African Nova Scotian strategy.
Reporting to the Vice-President, People & Culture, the Director of African Nova Scotia Community Engagement will play an institutional leadership role in the development and implementation of this strategy. They will support the access and success of African Nova Scotian students, staff and faculty at Dalhousie and will engage in deliberate efforts to strengthen and build constructive relationships with African Nova Scotian communities and organizations across Nova Scotia. The position will work in conjunction with the African Nova Scotian (ANS) Strategy Working Group, and the African Nova Scotian Advisory Council.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and implementation of the African Nova Scotian Strategy for Dalhousie, including concluding consultations within Dalhousie, and ongoing consultation with broader African Nova Scotian community partners.
- Work in conjunction with the African Nova Scotian Strategy Working Group to liaise with the Dalhousie African Nova Scotian Advisory Council. Engage in outreach efforts to assess the interest of community members both internal and external to Dalhousie to serve on the council.
- Work collaboratively with Dalhousie stakeholders (including the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies) to facilitate appropriate connections with and help enable effective work with African Nova Scotian community partners.
- Support African Nova Scotian community outreach for all services, particularly those that offer holistic equity approaches to ensure that this important community connection is maintained.
- Plan and execute relationship development activities in the community and on campus, such as conferences, training, receptions, etc.
Note
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. In keeping with the principles of Dalhousie’s Employment Equity Plan, the position is designated to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotian.
Note: To be eligible for this position, you must self-identify as African Nova Scotian in keeping with this definition:
African Nova Scotians are a distinct people who descend from free and enslaved Black planters, Black loyalists, Black refugees, Maroons and other Black people who inhabited the original 52 land-based Black communities in that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia.
For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree along with progressive, significant relevant experience (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
- Existing relationships and demonstrated ability to work in and with African Nova Scotian communities as well as the demonstrated ability to leverage those relationships in a professional context.
- Ability to apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of policies, and use research, resources and strong judgment in decision making.
- Ability to work strategically with range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the African Nova Scotian experience, and issues and challenges of concern to African Nova Scotians, including education, justice, and other social and economic systems.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s
core and
leadership competencies, in particular:
– Respect & Inclusion
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Relationship Building
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity Statement
For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.
If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.
