Coordinator, EleV Project Learning

White Spot; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading post-secondary institution seeks a Coordinator for the EleV Project Learning. Responsible for engaging Indigenous communities, leading program evaluations, and developing frameworks to enhance educational transitions for Indigenous youth. This role requires a strong background in Indigenous studies and a commitment to fostering community-driven initiatives.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit plan

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work opportunities

Desirable pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience working in a post-secondary setting or Indigenous communities.
• Familiar with Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) principles.
• Technical and creative writing (proposals, reports, summaries) skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead participatory evaluations rooted in Indigenous principles with various stakeholders.
• Create evidence-informed work plans and coordinate cross-sector collaboration.
• Prepare reports and maintain communication with funding partners.

Skills

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Indigenous Data Collection

Education

Master's degree in program evaluation, communications, Indigenous studies, etc.

Job description

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, the Coordinator, EleV Project Learning is responsible for leading participatory program evaluations rooted in Indigenous principles, methods, and philosophies. In addition to creating space for reflection and dialogue the incumbent works in close partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to provide narrative reporting and communicate the impact of Vancouver Island University's EleV program. The goal of this work is to identify collaborative innovations in partnership with Indigenous communities that inform systems transformation in education and transitions to work for Indigenous young people. This role is ideal for a data expert and storyteller who is passionate about prioritizing the voices of Indigenous youth within the context of Indigenous sovereignty in education.

Duties:
- Engage with Indigenous youth, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and communities to initiate community-driven, collaborative, and participatory evaluation processes; identify opportunities to increase program impact through collaboration among multiple partners.
- Provide updates on progress toward milestones and share stories of the program's impact on monthly calls with the Mastercard Foundation. Contribute to a national community of practice as a member of the EleV Network on regular calls and in-person gatherings.
- Communicate across the VIU community to ensure staff are kept informed of EleV activities and how to be involved, where appropriate. Seek opportunities to share achievements, challenges, and identify opportunities for VIU to be more responsive to Indigenous learners and communities (e.g. conference presentations, VIU news stories, committees/interdepartmental meetings, etc.)
- Lead the development of the Impact and Learning Framework for VIU, used to evaluate program-level activities for EleV-supported initiatives.
- Work closely with Strategic Planning and Initiatives, EleV project leads, and Indigenous community partners to identify data related to key metrics identified in reporting templates guided by the Learning Framework. Participate and support in some of the delivery of EleV programming to ensure primary data comprises at least 50% of reporting and communications products.
- Co-develop data stewardship practices with communities in alignment with the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP).
- Create evidence-informed work plans for a large project that is iterative and holistic. Work with VIU Finance and Manager, Indigenous Initiatives to ensure work plans and narrative reports align with budgets and financial reports.
- Prepare informal verbal reports for monthly check-in meetings with the Mastercard Foundation.
- Work alongside Manager, Indigenous Initiatives to support project leads, partners and other staff to contribute to reporting products and work plans. Coordinate and facilitate meetings, engagement initiatives, and other events internally and externally to invite collaboration, decolonization and cross-sectorial relationships across the education and employment ecosystem.
- Coordinate and host the Mastercard Foundation involving other partners and project leads where necessary to ensure program progress is communicated and celebrated.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum master's degree in a relevant field (program evaluation, communications, Indigenous studies, etc.) with five years experience working in a post-secondary setting and/or in Indigenous communities/organizations.A combination of education and experience may be considered.

- Must be knowledgeable about local cultures on Vancouver Island including those of the Kwakwaka'wakw, Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, andMétis Nations and able to work cross-culturally.
- The incumbent in this role must be familiar with the fundamentals of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) and will work to uphold these principles in all aspects of the work.
- Be familiar with Indigenous data collection methods and collective evaluation practices.
- Technical and creative writing experience (proposals, briefing notes, reports, summaries, blog posts, learning stories, academic articles), strong presentation skills, ability to facilitate reflection and learning at meetings and large gatherings.
- Provide recommendations, evidence, and advice to support strategic planning and project management.
- Comfortable navigating ongoing change within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, editing skills, ability to adapt a writing and presentation style to a variety of purposes and audiences and present complex issues and opportunities to Indigenous communities and youth, Knowledge Holders, senior leadership, granting bodies, The Mastercard Foundation, and third-party partners.
- Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Exercise considerable independent decision-making and work effectively with internal and external partners.
- Proven track record of achieving project goals on time and producing deliverables of high quality.
-Understanding of the importance of data integrity, especially in providing quantitative data to funders in alignment with budgets.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain relationships by working transparently, effectively, and productively with a wide range of individuals both on and off campus.
- A valid BC driver's license.
- Travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Cultural awareness of the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia and familiarity with Indigenous communities and their concerns regarding the public education system and government funding initiatives.
- Completion of the Fundamentals of OCAP course.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.