Associate Director

Description:

The Associate Director, Library, Indigenous Initiatives reports to the Associate University Librarian, Administration and Strategic Initiatives, and is accountable to the Associate Vice President, Indigenous Relations in the Office of Indigenous Relations. The Associate Director provides leadership and support to Library colleagues, researchers and instructors in the areas of Indigenous research and ways of knowing. The incumbent works in close collaboration with campus and community partners to ensure reconciliation and decolonization efforts are coordinated, well-integrated and support both the Library’s and University’s strategic plans. This role is integrated into the University’s overall commitment to building and strengthening Indigenous education programs, curriculum, research and community.

The Associate Director advises on and participates in the integration of Indigenous knowledge with Library services and functions, including research methodologies, teaching and learning activities, information services, collection and staff development. The Associate Director will also collaborate on a Library-wide equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility needs assessment, manage projects, facilitate Library and campus conversations, provide advice to Library leadership, and develop and execute key recommendations. This role will have a Library-wide mandate and work in close alignment with the Associate Director, Library, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access.

The University of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025 states, “We particularly recognize Indigenous students, faculty, staff and alumni. We are committed to learning about the rich history and culture of Indigenous people of this land and an institutional response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls for action.” In line with the University’s Strategic Plan, and the Indigenization Strategy, the Associate Director strives to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous people and to increase specialized support for Indigenous members of the Waterloo community.

To enhance the effectiveness of this activity, the successful candidate will meet the articulated qualifications below and will be an Indigenous person (First Nations Status or Non-Status, Métis, or Inuit). Lived experience in an Indigenous community or communities is required. We ask each interested applicant to include a statement if they self-identify as an Indigenous member from First Nations, Métis, or Inuit with lived experience of Indigenous world views, cultures and values and strong ties to First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit communities in their cover letter.

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Leads the Library’s engagement with the Office of Indigenous Relations and counterparts in Academic Support Units, Faculties, Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and anti-Racism and the Office of Research to ensure collaboration, best practices and thoughtful integration
• Acts as an advisor, coach and leader for Indigenous issues, initiatives and engagement ensuring reciprocal knowledge sharing
• Consults and collaborates with campus stakeholders on the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into the Library
• Contributes an Indigenous-inclusive perspective to Library policies, procedures and services and to Library space and strategic planning efforts related to decolonization
• Contributes to the strategic initiatives of the Library and advances the work of the Library's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) committee, in partnership with the Associate Director, Library, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access