Volunteer Position: Conference Coordinator

About Real Life Research Institute

The Real Life Research Institute (RLRI) is a federally and territorially registered non-profit organization based in Iqaluit, Nunavut, dedicated to advancing community-driven research and policy dialogues. Through partnerships with governments, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, and local stakeholders, RLRI develops and delivers projects that connect research with practical community impact.

About the Project

RLRI will host the Real-Life Arctic Security Conference, bringing together policymakers, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and community members to explore how local perspectives can better inform Canada's Arctic security policies and investments. The 3-day conference will bring together federal, territorial, municipal, Indigenous, academic, and community stakeholders in Iqaluit to discuss Arctic security, military investments, and inclusive security governance. The event will culminate in policy recommendations and policy briefs for key decision-makers.

Position Overview

The Conference Coordinator will serve as the primary coordination and outreach lead for the project. Working closely with the Project Director, the Coordinator will support stakeholder engagement, speaker relations, conference logistics, communications, documentation, and policy brief development. The Coordinator will act as one of the principal public-facing representatives of the project and help ensure the successful delivery of the conference and related knowledge mobilization activities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Outreach

• Maintain and update contact lists of invited participants.
• Draft and distribute conference invitations.
• Follow up with panelists, moderators, Elders, students, government representatives, and community organizations
• Coordinate speaker confirmations, biographies, travel details, and presentation requirements.
• Serve as a liaison between participants and the project team.

1. Conference Planning & Logistics

• Assist with conference registration and participant communications.
• Coordinate travel and accommodation arrangements for invited speakers.
• Support venue preparation and conference-day operations.
• Coordinate conference materials, name tags, agendas, and participant packages.
• Assist with hybrid and virtual participation logistics.

1. Communications & Public Engagement

• Promote the conference through community networks and social media.
• Support media engagement and stakeholder communications.
• Assist with photography, knowledge mobilization, and dissemination activities.

1. Research & Policy Brief Development

• Support knowledge capture and synthesis activities throughout the three-day event.
• Assist with the analysis and synthesis of conference discussions.
• Contribute to drafting conference reports and policy briefs.
• Participate in post-conference review meetings.
• Support dissemination of findings to stakeholders and partners.

1. Time Commitment

This is a flexible and project-based position, with increased involvement during:

• Pre-conference planning and outreach period.
• The three-day conference in Iqaluit.
• Post-conference policy brief development and dissemination.

1. Compensation

The Real-Life Research Institute will provide:

• Round-trip airfare to Iqaluit and accommodation during the 3-day conference period.
• Opportunity to work directly with policymakers, Indigenous organizations, municipal and territorial leaders, academics, and Arctic security practitioners participating in the conference.
• Acknowledgment of contributions in project outputs and policy briefs, where appropriate

1. Ideal Candidate

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience coordinating events, research, stakeholder engagement, or public outreach.
• Interest in Arctic security, Indigenous affairs, public policy, community development, or northern governance.
• Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and engage diverse stakeholders professionally.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills, including experience preparing reports, policy briefs, or knowledge-mobilization products.

1. How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• A current CV/resume;
• A brief statement of interest (maximum 1 page) outlining relevant experience and interest in the project to directorgeneral@reallifeinstitute.org

Application deadline: December 04, 2026