Implementation Support Lead, Research Security

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

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

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for 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 teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Safeguarding Research Office in the Research Integrity Support Portfolio

The Research Integrity Support (RIS) portfolio encompasses services, which support the Institution and its researchers in the provision of effective and compliant research activities. Reporting to the Director, Research Security, this position within the Safeguarding Research Office will be responsible for supporting the UA research ecosystem in safeguarding research and researchers by working directly and collaboratively with researchers, their research teams, and University staff to successfully mitigate risks to research security.

Position Summary

This position will ensure that researchers are guided through the process of implementing their Risk Mitigation Plans, as captured in Risk Assessment Forms submitted to the federal government in application for federal grant funding.

They will need to build effective relationships with researchers as well as key institutional supports in areas of records and data management, personnel screening, cyber and physical security, and research security broadly. In doing so, this position will need to develop strong relationships with counterparts in post-secondary institutions across Canada, and familiarity with the compliance requirements of applicable provincial and federal legislation, regulation and policy as well as international policy and legislation, particularly in the areas of sanctions and export controls.

This position will also be responsible for bringing the above-mentioned expertise to bear in offering travel security briefings and assisting in the development and implementation of a travel device program.

This role requires significant capacity to work independently, to take initiative, and to exercise excellent judgement. This position carries significant responsibility due to the requirement to work directly and effectively with researchers and staff across a range of disciplines. The actions and decisions of the incumbent will reflect directly on the Safeguarding Research Office and the Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) portfolio as a whole.

Duties

Develop effective strategies and protocols for implementation of risk mitigation plans

• Build trust and rapport with researchers and their teams, advancing the UA’s researcher-focused approach to safeguarding research and supporting researchers.
• Develop a strategic plan for implementation of a University-wide approach to ensuring implementation of risk mitigation plans (i.e. timeframes, sequencing, milestones, audits) and compliance with related requirements.
• Review all risk mitigation plans submitted to the Safeguarding Risk Office and provide advice and input prior to finalization; advice will reflect awareness of key elements relating to research
• Proactively engage with principal investigators to assist them in implementing their risk mitigation plans.
• Connect principal applicants with necessary expertise and resources beyond the Safeguarding Research Office (e.g. Information Services and Technology, Information and Privacy Office, Library & Museums, Legal).
• Develop key performance indicators for measurement of strategy implementation.
• Consider integration of behavioral insights in developing an effective strategy.
• Develop key performance indicators for measurement of strategy implementation and monitoring of compliance.
• Identify resource requirements for strategy implementation.
• Integrate EDI considerations and reconciliation commitments into development of training and capacity-building approaches.
• Liaise routinely with counterparts at other post-secondary institutions in Canada on the development of risk mitigation plans and compliance strategies.

Support for Contract Security Program and related programs

• Develop and maintain detailed understanding of the requirements of the Contract Security Program (CSP) and the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).
• Develop and maintain detailed understanding of best practices for defence or other sensitive research in order to provide expert advice to the University to become a trusted partner for conducting sensitive and defense-related research.
• Lead Safeguarding Research Office support for Contract Security Program, providing advice and input to Company Security Officers.

Develop and implement a travel security briefing and travel device program

• With the input and approval of the Director, Research Security, develop a new travel security-briefing program to provide travelling faculty and staff with security advice.
• Implement the new travel security-briefing program, providing tailored advice to travelling faculty and staff to ensure security of the individual and their research and data.
• Integrate EDI considerations into the approach to, and delivery of, travel security briefings.
• Work collaboratively with other internal stakeholders (e.g. U of A International, U of A Protective Services) and incorporate updated guidance from Global Affairs Canada and other expert sources in providing travel security advice.
• Work with IST to develop and implement a travel device loaner program, ensuring appropriate logging of loans and returns, provision of advice, and cleaning of devices upon return.
• Assist in the procurement of travel devices for the loaner program to ensure they meet the highest security standards.

Identify appropriate resources (internal or external) to scan returned devices and identify indicators of compromise to inform threat assessments and future travel security briefings.

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Minimum of 3 years of related, progressively responsible employment experience, preferably relating to national security, compliance or research administration.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to develop trusted relationships through successful engagement strategies.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex or technical issues to non-practitioners.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision on a wide variety of tasks with competing priorities.
• Ability to be responsive to multiple internal stakeholders and capably prioritize projects and communicate prioritization and timelines to all stakeholders.
• High level of critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills required.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work diplomatically with a broad range of individuals and groups, including at executive levels.
• Ability to work with sensitive and confidential materials.
• Experience in the development and implementation of strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of, and experience in applying successful stakeholder engagement principles.
• Familiarity with the University of Alberta or experience in another post-secondary institution is an asset.
• Familiarity with national security or geopolitical issues is an asset.
• Experience in implementing EDI or GBA considerations is an asset.
• Knowledge of export controls, controlled goods, and sanctions is an asset.
• Computer proficiency using Microsoft Office and Google applications.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

How to Apply