Position Title: Research Coordinator
Location: Waterloo, ON
Reports to: Director, BSIA, with some accountability to the Research Offices at UW and Laurier
Job Status: Full-time, one-year contract
Date Posted: February 13, 2020
Posting Closes: CLOSED
Position Summary
The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is an institute for advanced research, education, and outreach in the fields of global governance and international public policy. As a hub in a global network of scholars, practitioners and students, the School’s mission is to develop new solutions to humanity’s critical problems, to improve global governance now and in the future, and to contribute to enhancing the quality of people’s lives around the world.
In addition to hosting postgraduate programs in Global Governance and International Public Policy offered by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, the BSIA hosts a vibrant research agenda. This research activity is led by the School’s various ‘research clusters’ including Environment and Resources; Global Political Economy; Multilateral Institutions; Conflict and Security; Migration, Mobility and Social Politics; Indigenous Peoples, Decolonization and the Globe; Global Health Policy; and Science, Innovation and Technology.
The Research Coordinator will play an active role in supporting the broad research objectives of the BSIA research clusters. The successful candidate will engage actively with cluster leads and members and play a leading role in identifying and pursuing both national and international research opportunities in the fields of global governance and public policy. In doing so, they will develop collegial and productive relationships with BSIA researchers as well as relevant research offices and institutional hubs at both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The incumbent will also be expected to maintain productive relationships with relevant donor organizations and international research mechanisms (e.g. European Commission, United Nations, etc.) in order to enhance the School’s awareness of all relevant international research opportunities.
The Research Coordinator will be proactive in bringing cluster and cross-cluster teams together to support the planning and design of research bid development, as well as assisting in drafting the content for research bids. These design and development phases will be orchestrated in close coordination with the relevant university research offices. The Research Coordinator will also be responsible for developing a knowledge repository to support the School’s agility to respond to research opportunities.
In developing supportive relationships with the research clusters, the incumbent will participate actively in research cluster events and develop effective client-partner relationships. These relationships will also be enabled through the Research Coordinator’s role in supporting the BSIA’s executive program development.
Accountabilities
- Develop productive relationships with, and provide support to, BSIA’s research community. Such support would be driven primarily through the BSIA’s eight research clusters and would entail liaison with the research offices at both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
- Draft research grant applications and associated budgets supporting the BSIA’s pursuit of both small and large domestic and international research funding.
- Coordinate with the research offices of both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University; where appropriate, liaise with point of contacts in each office to create awareness of opportunities and to ensure that established university practice is followed.
- Develop a knowledge management system to support agile responses to research bids.
- Foster effective stakeholder relationships with both national and international research funding mechanisms as well as partner organizations with whom the BSIA may pursue international research funding opportunities.
- Maintain positive client relationships by supporting reporting activities of successful research bids, including the tracking of research impact and outcomes.
- Support the BSIA’s research and executive short course program.
- Assist in the organization of both on and off-site research-related conferences, workshops and seminars, particularly where these events may include multiple organisations. Look for opportunities at these events to support the BSIA’s research agenda.
- Participate in all BSIA staff-related committees where issues relating to research are discussed.
Qualifications
- Masters level education in a related field (PhD is preferred)
- Demonstrated experience in writing reports/proposals and research grant applications, and in complying with the reporting processes of the granting agencies
- Strong presentational skills, sound judgment and a strategic thinker
- A pro-active, results-oriented self-starter, with excellent skills in prioritizing and problem solving
- Ability to work independently and show initiative
- Demonstrated familiarity with relevant academic and non-academic granting agencies
- Exercises appropriate etiquette and protocol in all electronic, written and in-person interactions with organizations and people of varied cultures
- Command of the English language (written and spoken) and writing, research and editing, and copy-editing skills
- Experience with developing and maintaining budgets
- Excellent analytical and computer skills (experience with QuickBooks is an asset)
THIS POSTING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST.
This is a one-year, full-time position with benefits and enrollment in an optional RSP matching program, with the possibility of contract renewal, based on funding.