Director to the Secretariat of the Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative

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Position Summary:

McGill is embarking on an ambitious collaboration with seven African organizations to support educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for sub-Saharan youth. This Collaborative will foster interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry and policy makers to catalyze research, development and innovation and address structural disconnects between educational institutions and the workforce that contribute to unemployment,

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Integration, in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic), the Director of the Secretariat to the Collaborative will oversee a team of 6-8 professional and managerial staff responsible for strategic planning, financial management, reporting, communications, and program implementation for the Collaborative, including oversight of sub-award agreements with partner institutions. The team will likewise serve as a facilitating hub for activity across all partner institutions.

In this capacity the Director will be responsible for aligning the development and sustainment of programming in support of the three strategic outcomes identified for the Collaborative: experiential learning opportunities that promote climate-smart, traditional, and nutrition-rich agri-food practices rooted in community-based action research and innovation; access for young people, including young women, refugees and internally displaced people, and young people with disabilities, to inclusive and flexible learning opportunities across their careers; and education ecosystems equipped with policies, networks, skills, leadership, and resources to nurture youth-driven entrepreneurial ventures that address critical needs in the nutrition and agri-food ecosystem and spur inclusive economic growth.

The Director will likewise promote and reflect the shared Principles of Collaboration adopted by the Partner organizations (inclusive governance; diverse views make us stronger; partnerships, not projects; respect; equality and inclusion; commitment to those served by the Collaborative) in the co-development of Collaborative programming and deliverables and in the day-to-day management of the Secretariat to the Collaborative in support of the Collaborative.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the full scope of the governance structure intended for the Collaborative; seek nominations to standing committees and working groups and define terms of reference and deliverables; strike ad hoc working groups in support of the Executive Steering Committee and/or the Secretariat to the Collaborative as necessary.
• Oversee annual activity reporting by all Collaborative partners, maintaining a coherent, integrated narrative of Collaborative activity and achievements across the full span of the program;
• Review and assess quarterly financial reports submitted by sub awardee institutions;
• Develop and maintain effective mechanisms of monitoring and evaluation with respect to intended outcomes of the Collaborative; oversee staff employed in Africa mandated to support program outcomes, ensuring effective integration with staff based at McGill and at other partner institutions.
• Lead McGill-based program initiatives in collaboration with Faculty-based Principal Investigators.
• Cultivate collaborative, collegial relationships with colleagues in University Advancement, Communications, and Financial Services, among other units to ensure McGill’s compliance to the partnership agreement are met and respected
• Cultivate collaborative, collegial relationships with and among partner institutions in support of the implementation of Collaborative programming and capacity-development for local stakeholders.
• Work directly with the Global Engagement team at McGill to transfer knowledge developed via the Collaborative to inform efforts to expand McGill’s engagement with sub-Saharan Africa.
• Provide strategic advice to McGill leadership and to leaders across the Collaborative with respect to program governance, achievement of deliverables, assessment of any changes thereto, and opportunities to expand the reach of the Collaborative.
• Direct and manage professional staff by recruiting and retaining individuals with the necessary skills and expertise to meet the objectives of the Secretariat to the Collaborative and support the Collaborative’s initiatives.
• Devise and implement workflows necessary to support the work of the Secretariat to the Collaborative and the mission of the Collaborative as it relates to the responsibilities of the Secretariat.
• Serve as a non-voting ex officio member of the Executive Steering Committee of the Collaborative and ensure the effective organization and execution of regular meetings of the Steering Committee and other meetings of the Collaborative.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

Minimum undergraduate degree; graduate degree an asset. Minimum 8 years’ experience in senior managerial role, ideally in a University /Not for profit setting. Experience with partnership development in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the higher education and/or nutrition and agri-food sectors will be highly valuable. First-hand knowledge of the cultures, business requirements, entrepreneurialism, and operational practices in Sub-Saharan Africa

Demonstrated political acuity, ability to build consensus. Availability to travel occasion, as required. Demonstrated team building and leadership capacity; ability to lead and coach junior staff as well as to collaborate with and advise senior academic and administrative staff. Demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion; experience working with women or gender inclusion programming a plus. Demonstrated success in designing and implementing effective workflow and work management systems. Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills. Success in grant management or management of complex, multi-year budgets and deliverables.

Excellent organization and time-management skills; ability to work independently. Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Experience with budget management and financial reporting. Knowledge of McGill financial and administrative structures an asset. Proficiency with Microsoft Office required. English and French, spoken and written.

“Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.”

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree 8 Years Related Experience /

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 09) $111,430.00 – $139,290.00 – $174,110.00

Job Profile:

MPEX-ADM4S – General Administration – Director or equivalent (S)

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Executive Director (Strategic Integration)

Position End Date (If applicable):

Deadline to Apply:

2024-09-03

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

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