"Project Manager, PERCS"

locations

UBC Vancouver Campus

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 12 Days Ago

job requisition id

JR18112

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Title

Project Manager, PERCS

Department

Research Support | Sargent Research Group | Applied Biology Program | Faculty of Land and Food Systems (Risa Sargent)

Posting End Date

August 28, 2024

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

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2025P

• PLEASE INCLUDE COVER LETTER.
• This position is a 1 year term appointment with the possibility of an extension for up to 3 additional years.

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

The Project Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the PERCS – "Perennial Ecosystem Restoration for Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Landscapes" NSERC-SSHRC Alliance grant. This multi-million-dollar research initiative involves researchers from across BC’s Lower Mainland with partners in the non-profit, governmental and industry sectors, with the aim of increasing carbon sequestration and ecological co-benefits in agricultural lands in BC. Over four years, the team will conduct and leverage the results of research studies that examine the role of adoption, habitat, connectivity, soil, climate, species interactions and socio-economic drivers on landscape level carbon sequestration in agricultural landscapes. The project involves a strong commitment to integrated socio-ecological approaches and ensuring that knowledge is co-created with partners and translated into action on the ground.

This position is responsible for implementing the project in a professional, efficient, and effective manner in accordance with UBC policies, systems and guidelines, while also respecting the requirements of our funders and partners. The Project Manager develops, implements, monitors and evaluates the systems necessary to deliver on organizational priorities; oversees team meetings and events; develops communications and knowledge translation support; and oversees / facilitates core operational activities of the leadership team.

Organizational Status

This position is housed in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and the Project Manager reports to the PERCS Principal Investigator, Dr. Risa Sargent. The Project Manager will work in collaboration with the PI and scientific co-directors (Juli Carrillo, UBC-LFS and Jeanine Rhemtulla, UBC-Forestry), as well as other faculty co-PIs of the grant and the Coordinator of the UBC iBios Institute; affiliated laboratory staff and trainees across sites. The entire team consults regularly with its Advisory Board to ensure research and financial goals are on track.

Work Performed

Project Management and Administration

• Responsible for managing the implementation of the proposed research program across the geographical and interdisciplinary landscape of the work, including the configuration, establishment and monitoring of field sites, overseeing data collection and storage, research planning, execution, analysis and synthesis across the various research teams;
• Develops and oversees policies and procedures for the efficient administration, organization and operation of the PERCS project;
• Manages project timelines and milestones ensuring work is proceeding according to plan; Revises project timelines and milestones when needed and ensures relevant stakeholders are kept informed;
• Implements strategies to assist with various needs/requests to ensure adequate support for the project;
• Determines opportunities for improvement and manages the process of incorporating innovations effectively. 
• Develops and implements a strategy for dissemination of results, including knowledge transfer to non-profit and agricultural sector partners;
• Advises researchers on regulatory requirements for the conduct of research; attends ethics review meetings; and prepares ethical review submissions for the relevant components of the work;
• Oversees the creation and maintenance of key relationships among the relevant researchers, partners, First Nations communities, landholders, collaborators and affiliates to ensure clear, regular communication and facilitate knowledge exchange and mobilization;
• Liaises with the PIs, Advisory Board, VP Research Office and funders to resolve issues;
• Coordinates the establishment and maintenance of data transfer and other agreements with partners by liaising with the University-Industry Liaison Office, partner representatives, and faculty.

Finance & Budget

• Develops budget forecasts, and manages expenditures;
• Ensures requests fall within the research project proposal and budget and funds are used appropriately;
• In collaboration with the LFS Finance Office, synthesizes and analyzes financial data and prepares reports for the Advisory Committee to support budgetary decision-making;
• Liaises with university units and funding sources to ensure compliance with agreements/contracts.

Event Planning

•  Coordinates project meetings with appropriate team members on progress on achieving milestones as required and responsible for creating and delivering advisory board and partner progress review presentations;
• Plans and coordinates an annual workshop/conference for researchers, partners and collaborators.

Communications

• Communicates regularly via in person meetings, zoom/phone and e-mail with project team members, including partners, to gather and disseminate project updates, including regular progress reports for the Advisory Board and other project partners;
• Prepares, composes, edits and proofs project documentation such as agreements between partner sites, and communications related to knowledge translation;
• Coordinates information from multiple sources, including project co-applicants and partners, requiring familiarity with the scientific details of the project, and an ability to exercise diplomacy and discretion;
• Develops, organizes and implements all project knowledge translation activities, including planning events open to the public;
• Manages the project's online and social media presence.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of research work and is responsible for the quality of research activities. Incorrect work or decisions, or poor judgment could result in lost opportunities, damage to the reputation of the project, breakdown in partnerships, or other serious impacts on the research project and future funding opportunities. 

Supervision Received

Works with considerable latitude, under general direction from the PI (Sargent) within established policies, procedures and standards. The incumbent must exercise initiative and sound judgment. The Project Manager keeps the PI and leadership team informed through regular, ongoing communication.

Supervision Given

May manage junior researchers, research assistants and technicians, junior staff or students.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., ecology, conservation biology, biodiversity research, agricultural sciences, landscape ecology, policy, social science of agriculture).
• Minimum of three years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience in project management and coordination. Training, education or research experience in biodiversity or natural resource research is preferred.
• This position necessitates a self-starter who thrives in a complex, interrelated organizational setting, and who is able to work independently based on guidelines from the PI and PERCS leadership team. It requires working administratively with multiple co-PIs across several partner institutions and scholars around the world.
• Ability to work with minimal direction and exercise sound judgment and decision-making. Excellent interpersonal skills and group facilitation.
• Financial management skills including planning, forecasting, budgeting and report preparation.
• Strong organizational skills and problem-solving ability.
• Understanding of UBC policies and practices an asset.
• Basic field skills (e.g., ecological sampling, interviewing, household surveys) an asset
• Ability to take initiative; lead; delegate and allocate duties; and collaborate in a team environment. Ability to work effectively under pressure; manage multiple deadlines; and effectively prioritize and manage tasks. Ability to maintain accuracy and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills with proficiency in the use of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ability to compose correspondence, reports, presentations, and other written materials using professional clear and concise English.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, and manage databases at an intermediate level, with the ability to learn new software quickly. Ability to maintain an informational project website and create social media posts.
• Comfortable driving/traveling to field sites in BC to meet stakeholders, take GPS co-ordinates, monitor field work, liaise with partners/land holders, check on teams, etc.
• Must have Class 5 Driver’s License