Description
The Centre for Transformation in the Faculties of Law and Social Work is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Indigenous Engagement & Reconciliation Specialist for approximately 24 months.
Joining the Centre for Transformation (Family Justice System), the Indigenous Engagement & Reconciliation Specialist (the Specialist) is highly collaborative, engaging with team members, community organizations across the province, and administrative units across the university. The role works in partnership with others to advance the principles and goals of the University of Calgary's Indigenous strategy, ii' taa'poh'to'p.
Under the guidance of the Centre's leadership team, the Specialist will advance key priorities of the Centre for Transformation, including the Centre's Indigenous Parallel Path. The position will co-create the Centre's Indigenous Parallel Path and support Ethical Space in partnership with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, while building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and professionals across the family justice system. This work will support commitments to truth and reconciliation and advance transformative change within the family justice system. The position will also support the Centre's research activities and provide guidance on Indigenous ways of knowing.
The Specialist reports to the Director, Strategic Operations of the Centre for Transformation, Family Justice System (the Centre). This role requires travel intermittently to communities across Alberta. The Specialist must be able to work independently with little or no supervision on certain tasks. This position normally works Monday to Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., 7 hours per day (35 hours per week). However, due to the nature of community engagement work, evening and weekend hours and flexibility are required. Therefore, the incumbent must be able to focus on the tasks competently and efficiently. Multiple critical deadlines are occurring throughout the year that this position will support.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership of the Centre's Parallel Path and Facilitation of Transformative Change
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Co-create the Centre's Indigenous Parallel Path based on guidance and wisdom from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
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In collaboration with Centre leadership, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, collaboratively design and implement Indigenous engagement plans and strategies aligned with the Centre's strategy and operational plans.
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Act as a liaison to support new and ongoing, inclusive relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous communities.
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Build trust and reciprocal relationships with community organizations and professionals from across the legal, justice and social sectors.
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Host Circles with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to develop collaborative relationships and build rapport.
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Support development of terms of reference and actions plans with Elders, including preparation of written reports and notes after meetings.
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Coordinate logistics for Circles and meetings with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, including Elder honorariums, accommodation as needed and transportation.
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Identify and collaborate with other existing Canadian Indigenous legal orders to support transformation of the family justice system.
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Provide strategic support to Centre leadership on Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Doing, Being, and Relating.
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Prepare quality presentations for activities and events related to the projects.
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Support the Centre's knowledge mobilization efforts, including the development of intercultural education, training, and other materials to facilitate system-level change for professionals working across the family justice system.
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Recruit, supervise and mentor students supporting the Centre's Parallel Path as needed.
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Manage multiple projects and timelines with established metrics to measure success.
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Working with the University's Advancement team, lead and support grant applications for the Centres Indigenous initiatives.
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Maintain an in-depth understanding of the principles, recommendations, and overall content and intent of the University of Calgary's Indigenous Strategy and ensure that Centre initiatives support it.
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Support special projects that advance the University of Calgary's Indigenous Strategy as requested.
Research, Evaluation and Performance Measurement
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Work closely with the Centre research team to support the Centre's research and evaluation strategies in considering Indigenous worldviews.
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Using Indigenous Ways of Knowing, develop a parallel performance measurement approach that assesses both collaboration with Indigenous communities and the Centre's role in advancing transformational systems change.
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Coordinate, write, and support the timely submission of regular progress reports related to the Centre's Indigenous initiatives and Parallel Path.
Centre Support and Special Projects
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Promote a collaborative team environment through role modeling and sharing of knowledge to enhance Indigenous ways of knowing and doing in the Centre.
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Provide and coordinate intercultural education and training for Centre staff.
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Represent the Centre for Transformation and the University of Calgary at community events.
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Support Centre leadership on special projects as requested.
Qualifications / Requirements:
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A minimum of six years of experience advancing strategies that support truth and reconciliation and transformative, systems change in a professional environment is required.
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Lived experience as an Indigenous person or deep familiarity with Indigenous communities, Indigenous knowledges and Oral practices required to connect and communicate with Indigenous communities including Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers is required.
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A minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required, with a Master's or law degree preferred, in a related field.
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Positive, well-established relationships with Indigenous communities, leaders, and cultural knowledge keepers in Alberta is an asset.
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Experience with partnership development at the local grassroots, organizational, municipal, and/ or provincial level is required.
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A strong understanding of co-creation (i.e., participatory methods), community development, systems design, and systems change processes is required.
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Experience in law and/ or the family justice system is an asset.
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Experience leading and supervising staff is an asset.
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Experience writing reports for a wide variety of audiences is required (professional writing is required).
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Experience leading research, evaluation and performance measurement activities is an asset.
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A strong understanding of Indigenous research approaches is an asset.
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Experience and pedagogical knowledge related to developing education, training, and professional development materials is an asset.
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Detailed oriented, with strong time and project management skills is required.
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Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Teams) and creating/ maintaining SharePoint or shared drives is required.
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Experience and competency in using web conferencing and platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams is required.
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Experience working in a post-secondary workplace is a strong asset.
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Proficiency in public speaking.
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Ability to work independently, act decisively while exercising judgement, and demonstrate a high degree of initiative is required.
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A dedicated and committed team contributor.
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Working onsite is required.
A valid Class 5 driver's license (cannot be a graduated license) with a proven good driving record (abstract required).
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Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
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.
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level P3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p 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.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
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 Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
