Safeguarding Research Specialist

Competition 1740

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).     

This position has a term length of 2 years and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus. There is an option to work from home up to 2 days each week.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just. Learn more.

Working for the office of the Vice President - Research Integrity

The Research Integrity Support (RIS) portfolio encompasses services supporting the Institution and its researchers in the provision of effective and compliant research activities. The Safeguarding Research Office (SRO) within RIS, reporting to the Director, Research Security is responsible for the University’s safeguarding research framework, support for the U of A safeguarding research governance framework, awareness-raising, training, capacity building, risk identification and mitigation, compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and international requirements, and management of several related programs. 

Position 

The Safeguarding Research Specialist (SRS) supports the University’s research mission by supporting the research community in identifying, assessing and mitigating risks to research security and in adhering to all relevant policies and requirements. This position supports researchers from across campus, including all Colleges, Faculties, Departments, in addition to administrative units.  The SRS is a vital member of the SRO, conducting advanced open-source due diligence to support informed decision-making.  This due diligence is conducted in accordance with written procedures and principles, and the SRS provides a vital bridge in summarizing and conveying findings to the requester so that the University community can make risk-informed decisions.  The SRS also supports the University’s Governance structure for Safeguarding Research, including through participation in the Risk Assessment Sub-Committee and provision of secretarial support for that group. 

The duties of this position are diverse and complex and require significant independent work and decision-making in a high-volume fast-paced work environment.  The SRS must maintain an in-depth and detailed understanding of University policy and procedures, funding agency guidelines, provincial and national guidelines, regulations and legislation, and best practices that provide the framework for their critical thinking and decision-making. The Specialist must have strong knowledge of research security, privacy and open-source due diligence techniques and methods and respect for confidentiality. 

Duties 

Conduct and Provision of Open-Source Due Diligence (80%)

• Applies advanced open-source due diligence techniques and methods to provide comprehensive advice to decision-makers.  Users of the Safeguarding Research Office’s due diligence include members of the research community, administrative staff and senior leadership.
• Due diligence activities are undertaken with strict adherence to the Responsible Open-Source Due Diligence Framework developed by the SRO.
• The SRS is required to understand relevant policies, regulations, legislation and guidance applicable to research funding and to the various categories of due diligence conducted by the SRO (e.g. for risk identification, screening, compliance, disciplinary, conflicts of commitment and other purposes).
• In addition to conducting open-source due diligence, the SRS is responsible for collating, compiling and presenting the information clearly and effectively to support informed decision-making. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to support the SRS’s provision of timely, clear and comprehensive open-source due diligence information.
• The SRS works collaboratively with researchers and their staff to identify, assess and mitigate risks to research security and to reflect this information in required forms for submission to the Government of Canada or other funding authorities.
• As requested, the SRS provides and shares expertise and knowledge on open-source due diligence methods, techniques and best practices (e.g. to support briefings or training).
• The SRS stays abreast of the latest tools, techniques and information sources relevant to the provision of reliable open-source due diligence results.  The SRS proactively incorporates the latest updates into the SRO process, in consultation with SRO management.

Committee Support (10%)

• The SRS supports the Risk Assessment Sub-Committee (RASC) including through provision of secretarial support (e.g. scheduling, creation and provision of background documents, and preparing meeting summaries). 
• Support for the RASC is also offered through sharing information about the research and any partners assessed during the due diligence process and contributing to discussions about risk mitigation measures. 

Support for Safeguarding Research Program within the RIS portfolio (10%)

• Contributes to communications and training materials as required. 
• Participates in and supports SRO involvement in engagement and awareness-raising activities.
• Contributes to the development and process of written procedures and processes for the work of the SRO.
• Participates in local, provincial and national organizations and communities of practice associated with research security and due diligence (including Open-Source Intelligence fora).

Qualifications

• Minimum an undergraduate degree required.
• Knowledge of research security policies, guidelines and related legislative or regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of research funding processes and organizations is an asset.
• Experience in open-source intelligence gathering or other forms of due diligence or risk assessment is an asset.
• Minimum two years of relevant work experience, preferably in a research environment.
• The incumbent must have a demonstrated ability to consistently and effectively apply high level critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills in a high volume, fast-paced environment.  In addition, the individual must have well developed administrative and office skills, including knowledge of committee and meeting support techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet applications is essential.
• Must be a self-starter with proven initiative who can learn quickly and is willing to change direction as priorities change.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team is required.

This position requires access to sensitive information and secure databases; the successful candidate must be willing to undergo personnel security screening and able to successfully attain the requested clearance level (see https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/esc-src/personnel/information-eng.html)