Associate Director, Indigenous Legal Studies Program

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
Works with the Academic Director of the Indigenous Legal Studies Program and the Associate Dean Academic Affairs to achieve the overall objectives of Indigenous Legal Studies (ILS). This includes developing, coordinating, managing and delivering academic and cultural support services for Indigenous law students (and prospective students) designed to address potentially systemic problems facing Indigenous law students; acting as liaison with First Nations, other funding and assisting agencies, Indigenous student organizations, the University's student services and services available in the wider community; and providing a range of programmatic support services. Reports on all administrative and student support duties to both the Associate Dean Academic Affairs and the Academic Director of Indigenous Legal Studies. Works to ensure two-way communication mechanisms are established for an effective liaison between Indigenous law students (and prospective students), Indigenous student organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, and various faculties, departments, schools and institutes of the University, as appropriate to meeting the objectives of ILS.

Organizational Status
Reports to Indigenous Legal Studies Academic Director(s) and the Associate Dean Academic Affairs. This position falls under the Academic Affairs portfolio, which is headed by the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs. For some matters, may have reporting lines to the Assistant Dean, Students.

The Associate Director-ILS is expected to work closely with the Allard School of Law Admissions team, the Allard School of Law Student Services team, Allard Law Career Services, and the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic. The Associate Director ILS is Allard Law's principal staff liaison with the UBC First Nations House of Learning, and is also in regular contact with external stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Where appropriate, the Associate Director-ILS will link with the External Relations team, including Communications, Events, Development, and Alumni Relations.

The Associate Director-ILS will supervise and delegate work to the ILS Programs Coordinator, and supervise student assistants.

Work Performed

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT:
- Develop, organize and deliver tutorials and other academic support programs (group and individual) to Indigenous law students, coordinating with the Assistant Dean, Students where appropriate.
- Provide academic and organizational support to the UBC Kawaskimhon (Aboriginal Rights) Moot team.
- Encourage and assist Indigenous law students to in pursing post-graduation career and academic opportunities
- Liaise with the Assistant Dean, Students and the Examinations Committee regarding students in the ILSP
- Identify, support, and assist in facilitating access to other support services for Indigenous students facing academic, personal or financial challenges.

STUDENT SERVICES SUPPORT:
- Develop and implement an admissions recruitment plan.
- Provide prospective students with information on ILS, Indigenous law courses and programs, student services, on-campus visits and orientations; make referrals to other University or community services when appropriate; and coordinate appointments of prospective students with Academic Director and Associate Director.
- Provide information and individualized support to new Indigenous law students, including facilitating their acclimatization to legal studies, advising regarding relocation to Vancouver, and considering how to address potentially systemic problems these students may face.
- Design, organize and implement specific functions, activities, programs and projects related to student services for Indigenous law students, including academic orientation (in conjunction with the Assistant Dean Students), student socials, speaker series, and graduation at the First Nations House of Learning.
- Provide information to Indigenous law students on scholarships, bursaries and awards for Indigenous students and determine qualified applicants. This includes providing financial assistance research, financial counseling, referrals and the provision of information on financial assistance to Indigenous students and coordinating appropriately with UBC Student Financial Aid Services.
- Working in conjunction with the Allard Law Career Services Office, help to provide advice and assistance to Indigenous law students in career planning, obtaining law-related summer and part time employment and obtaining articles.
- Provide assistance to Indigenous law students in matters dealing with First Nations, organizations, funding agencies and law firms.
- Provide back-up coverage for Assistant Dean, Students, on matters of student well-being and academic concessions.

PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT:

- Promotes the Cultural Competency Certificate program working with faculty lead(s).
- Assists with the development of research grant requests related to ILS.
- Liaise with, and when appropriate, provide support to Academic Director of the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (ICLC), including: act as ICLC liaison with the Allard School of Law, play a role in recruiting students, and provide advice to students interested in the ICLC program.
- Working in conjunction with Allard Law's Alumni Relations team, develop stronger ties between alumni of ILS and the Peter A. Allard School of Law
- Cooperate with the Faculty s Development office to prepare and implement fundraising strategies related to support for ILS.
- Establish, co-ordinate and strengthen connections between ILS and Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations and the general legal community. This function will include support of of Dean's Advisory Committee on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This function may include managing the organization of conferences and symposia sponsored by ILS.
- Promote ILS within the university and broader community.
- Complete reports regarding Indigenous law students needs, services, and activities for the Academic Director and the Dean's Office.
- Represent ILS on committees and/or at meetings within both the law school and the university.
- Provide such other programmatic support as may be required by the Academic Director and the Associate Dean Academic Affairs from time to time.

-Responsible to develop the annual ILS budget and oversee the expenses of the unit

-Responsible for managing the work of the ILS, Programs Coordinator.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position is responsible for assisting in achieving the overall objectives of Indigenous Legal Studies. Incorrect decisions/judgement can adversely affect the ability of the Faculty to achieve those objectives, as well as the reputational and other interests of the program, the Indigenous law students in the program, the Academic Director of ILS, the Faculty of Law and the University.

Supervision Received
The Associate Director reports to the Academic Director and the Associate Dean Academic Affairs for all matters relating to internal/external duties of the incumbent. The ILS Committee of the Faculty guides policy development for ILS. The incumbent must show ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity, and be able to work cooperatively with other staff or independently, as required.

The Academic Director and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will work to ensure coordination between the academic and student support services provided within Indigenous Legal Studies and the Faculty's other academic and student support services. The Academic Director and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research will work to ensure coordination between Indigenous Legal Studies and the activities of other staff in graduate studies and research. The Academic Director and the Dean will work to ensure cooperation and coordination between the Program and External Relations activities.

Supervision Given
Manages the ILS Coordinator and student assistants.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five to six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

- A LL.B. or JD is considered a definite asset.

- A good knowledge of Indigenous legal issues, legal communities, and the University and successful work experience with, Indigenous peoples, their institutions or organizations.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and cooperatively.
- High degree of commitment to the advancement of Indigenous people at the law school.
- Student services and/or human resources skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Effective oral and written communications skills including public speaking abilities.
- Strong organizational and administrative capabilities.
- High degree of professionalism, initiative, and ability to work independently.
- Strong background in core areas of the first-year curriculum.
- Strong legal research and legal writing skills.

- Strong academic record.

-Work experience in the legal community and a post-secondary setting.
- Knowledge of and working relationships with Indigenous communities in British Columbia generally and the lower mainland region in particular.
- Experience in relation to potentially systemic barriers that may face Indigenous students progressing through legal education.
- Experience in designing and delivering educational support programs.
- Experience teaching and/or tutoring.

Although we welcome candidates from all groups, preference will be given to those of Indigenous heritage.