Indigenous Knowledge and STEM Engagement

Position Title: Indigenous Knowledge and STEM Engagement Specialist

Location: Remote (MUST be within Canada)

Employment Type: Full-time employment, 35 hours per week

About SCWIST

The Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) is a national non-profit organization working to create an environment where girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals in Canada can pursue their interests, education, and careers in STEM without barriers. Our mission is grounded in values of empowerment, inclusion, inspiration, connection, and sustainability. We provide mentorship, leadership development, and outreach programs that encourage participation and excellence in STEM. Through advocacy and partnerships, we work to remove systemic barriers, build inclusive networks, and support long-term career advancement in STEM fields.

Position Overview

The Indigenous Specialist will be responsible for leading the integration of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into SCWIST’s current programs and major projects. The Indigenous Specialist will work with Indigenous communities and partners, guide the development of culturally responsive educational content and ensure that Indigenous worldviews are respectfully embedded in all aspects. The Indigenous Specialist will work collaboratively with the internal team and external community advisors, providing direction on land-based and traditional learning materials.

Key Responsibilities

Project Implementation Support (40%)

• Provide subject-matter expertise on Indigenous knowledge integration across project deliverables, including content development, accessible formats, and land-based learning materials.
• Collaborate with the project team to ensure project activities and materials reflect Indigenous methodologies, languages, and worldviews.
• Advise on the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in project planning documents (e.g., work plans, implementation plans, evaluation tools).
• Contribute to the development of culturally grounded performance indicators and evaluation frameworks.
• Document community feedback and ensure it informs project implementation.
• Participate in project meetings and contribute to status updates and reporting, especially as related to Indigenous engagement and deliverables.

Indigenous Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement (60%)

• Build, maintain, and nurture respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and stakeholders.
• Lead engagement and consultation activities with Indigenous partners to ensure inclusive, reciprocal, and culturally appropriate collaboration.
• Represent Indigenous interests in project-related meetings, workshops, and public events.
• Provide cultural competency support and training for project staff and partners.
• Support recruitment and mentorship of Indigenous contributors to the project, including expert panelists with lived experience.
• Promote accessible, inclusive, and culturally resonant practices in all project interactions and outputs.

Qualifications & Experience

SCWIST prioritizes lived experience and deep community knowledge for this role. Candidates should demonstrate a combination of the following qualifications:

1. Indigenous Identity and Lived Experience:
   • Self-identifies as a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis person of Canada.
   • Direct, verifiable experience working with and reporting to diverse Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers in Canada.
2. Engagement and Relationship Building:
   • A track record of successfully building, maintaining, and nurturing respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous partners, founded on trust and accountability.
   • Proven ability to design and lead culturally safe and appropriate consultation and engagement processes with communities and stakeholders.
3. Content and Educational Expertise:
   • Demonstrated experience in either leading or advising on the development of culturally relevant educational materials or curriculum as it pertains to Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Indigenous STEM, Western STEM, Two-Eyed Seeing.
   • Specific knowledge or experience integrating land-based and traditional learning is helpful.
4. Professional Skills:
   • Exceptional project management skills, interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
   • Experience providing cultural training support to partner organizations and/or mentorship to youth.

Desired Assets

• A university degree or college diploma in a relevant field (e.g., Indigenous Studies, Education, Community Development, and/or STEM fields) OR an equivalent combination of traditional knowledge, community-recognized expertise, and professional experience.
• Fluency or familiarity with an Indigenous language(s).
• Experience working within a non-profit or research organization, particularly one focused on STEM, education, or accessibility.
• Strong understanding of project management principles, including contributing to evaluation frameworks and performance indicators.

Other Details

• Location: Remote (Candidate MUST be within Canada)
• Schedule: Full-time employment, 35 hours per week
• Salary Range: $90,000- $95,000 per annum

Commitment to Equity

SCWIST is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We believe that diversity enriches our team and strengthens our work. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives. We are also committed to providing an accessible work environment. If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Application Process

Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and motivation for the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The job posting will be closed on October 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Kindly note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and thank all applicants for taking the time and effort to apply for this role.