Strategic Research Area Manager: Indigenous Community Energy Systems

ACET acknowledges, with respect, the traditional territories of the Indigenous Peoples upon whose lands our five collaborating institutions are located: the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, Songhees Nation and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation), and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, home to University of Victoria and Royal Roads University; the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), home to University of British Columbia Vancouver; the Abenaki and the Wabenaki Confederacy, home to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières; and the 14 Yukon First Nations, home to Yukon University. We also recognize the Indigenous communities and organizations with whom we have the honour to partner in advancing community-led clean energy transitions.

About ACET

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner research initiative helping small- to mid-sized communities achieve their unique clean-energy systems goals. From harvesting offshore wind, tidal and solar energy to innovative low-carbon financing and governance models, ACET is integrating breakthrough renewable energy technologies and solutions that help communities reach their emissions targets. Led by UVic’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic), an interdisciplinary powerhouse uniting leading researchers across engineering, business, economics, environmental studies, psychology and public administration, ACET builds on IESVic’s three decades of experience partnering with communities, industry and organizations to chart viable pathways to sustainable energy systems. ACET involves integral collaboration with more than 200 partners, including four collaborating universities (University of British Columbia, Royal Roads University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Yukon University). Funded through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), ACET is founded on the principles of community-engaged research while integrating the values of equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels to ensure its work is relevant and impactful to the diversity of the Canadian population.

Responsibilities

• Project co-development: Support project opportunity and project proposal development through true co-design, ensuring community aspirations are at the centre of every research plan. Help lead ACET project co-design with members of the ACET core team, researchers, project partners and SRA Leads, with a focus on Indigenous inclusion, interdisciplinarity, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), knowledge mobilization and other project criteria.
• Partnership Management: Coordinate activities with cross-sectoral partners, the ACET core team, and institutional partners, including UBC, Yukon University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Royal Roads University.
• Cultural Safety: Along with ACET’s Strategic Advisor, Indigenous, ensure researchers are trained to engage with communities respectfully and safely.
• Mentorship: Provide research oversight and mentorship to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates, building partnerships within and beyond the University of Victoria.
• Road-mapping & Strategy: Work with project partners, community representatives, and Strategic Research Area Leads to align research with ACET’s strategic priorities and UNDRIP standards.
• ACET Collaboration: Ensure that researchers are properly trained and screened prior to working with Indigenous communities (taking direction from the ACET Strategic Advisor, Indigenous) and that projects apply an equity lens and follow best practices in project team management (taking direction from the ACET Strategic Lead, People & Culture).
• Project Lifecycles: Support the management of multiple research projects, including budgets, work plans, and timelines. Support project leads to evaluate the impact of changes to project scope and schedule.
• Knowledge Mobilization: Translate complex research into "storytelling" and accessible communications in collaboration with the ACET Communications Team.
• Administration & Reporting:
  • Track and share communications around engagement and opportunity development.
  • Contribute to formal reporting for CFREF.
  • Ensure formal onboarding of personnel onto ACET projects.
• Engagement: Participate in events, seminars, and conferences to support the mobilization of knowledge to government, industry, and Indigenous partners.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree or above (or an equivalent combination of education and significant community leadership/traditional knowledge).
• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working directly with Indigenous communities in project management.
• Subject Expertise: Knowledge of energy systems or climate change from a technical, policy, social science, or governance perspective.
• Relational Skills: Demonstrated ability to build broad networks and tailor communication for diverse "knowledge users" (from Elders to academic experts).
• Project Tools: Experience tracking evaluation metrics, managing funder relationships, and writing with analytical clarity.

Pay

$88,155 - $114,671

Our Commitment

Guided by the UVic Indigenous Plan, we recognize our responsibilities to the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. We operate as guests on these lands and are committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into every project lifecycle.

In accordance with the university's equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to Indigenous Peoples. Candidates must self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit in their cover letter to be considered for this position. UVic has developed a process to affirm declarations of Indigenous identity for positions of material gain. Successful candidates will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process for this and future opportunities.