Indigenous Training Assistant

Description:

About us:

The University of Toronto (U of T) has recognized that Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is an important and necessary undertaking and is determined to implement the 34 Calls to Action directly related to education contained within the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Final Report. The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) supports and guides the U of T community as it continues to work towards reconciliation. Efforts are directed towards listening, coordinating, advising, and collaborating with academic and non-academic communities in addressing the Calls to Action. OII intersects with areas such as teaching and learning, student experience, Faculty and staff recruitment and engagement, and community-based research. The Office also conducts a regular environmental scan, produces a report to establish the impact and progress of Indigenous Initiatives on campus, and manages the activities of the Council of Indigenous Initiatives.

The Office of Indigenous Initiatives currently offers Indigenous Cultural Competency Training across all three campuses. The Indigenous Training Assistant will work towards supporting and promoting Indigenous training opportunities for students, faculty, librarians, and staff across all three campuses (virtual and in-person training sessions).

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting an environmental scan of Canadian universities Indigenous Competency Training offerings and evaluating their strengths and challenges;

• Creating a list of Canada-wide university contacts conducting Indigenous Competency Trainings with staff, faculty, librarians, and students;

• In the course of doing the environmental scan ascertain from those contacts the feasibility and desire to create a Canada-wide network of Indigenous Training Coordinators to meet on a regular basis to discuss the strengths and challenges of this type of work;

• Creating promotional materials for all Indigenous Competency Trainings;

• Planning and staging of events to bring about critical discussion on Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships on the path to reconciliation, e.g. book club;
• Finding sources of connection with all faculties to encourage staff, faculty, librarians, and students to undertake Indigenous Competency Training, Indigenous allyship training, and Indigenous land acknowledgement training;
  
• Critically assess feedback from staff, faculty, librarians, and students on the training sessions they attended to improve training, make training more relevant and to encourage participation in the Indigenous Competency Training sessions offered by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives;
  
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
  

Essential Qualifications:

• A Masters or PhD in any field, or strong Indigenous community involvement at the undergraduate level;
• Strong understanding of Indigenous peoples and their relationship with the Canadian state and non-Indigenous Canadians is an asset;
• Possess the ability to navigate sensitive Indigenous historical content;
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Zoom;
• Strong research skills;
• Excellent Leadership skills;
• Strong communication, listening, problem solving, and conflict resolution;
• Ability to work independently and as a cooperative team member to effectively to meet established deadlines;
• Must demonstrate sensitivity and mindfulness while navigating transformative change and anti-colonial approaches.
  

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Approachable

• Diplomatic

• Resilient

• Resourceful

• Team player

NOTE: This is a temporary, part-time position from January 2, 2023 until March 31, 2023.

Closing Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 11:59 PM EST.
Schedule: Part-Time; Maximum 10 hours per week.

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.