The Coastal Issues Committee of the Ecology Action Centre is seeking a bilingual (French/English) Research Coordinator to lead a two year collaborative research project. The objective of this project is to generate new knowledge about the barriers and opportunities climate change brings to fisheries and tourism sectors in Western Cape Breton; and develop indicators, tools, and tool kits to assist these sectors to assess risk, fill information gaps, and develop adaptation strategies. The Research Coordinator will collaborate with a full-time researcher based in Cheticamp who will lead community engagement and capacity building activities, and conduct participatory research into barriers, issues and knowledge gaps.
Project Overview
The project will develop two sector specific toolkits to assist the fisheries and tourism sectors in Acadian communities in the Maritimes identify and mitigate barriers to competitiveness related to climate change impacts. Two key local partners are involved in this work, the Conseil Economique de Cheticamp and the Gulf Aquatic Marine Station. The project will develop a regional web of support and resources for this initiative – linking the project to expertise from universities and community colleges as well as non-profit, provincial, and federal resources and initiatives. Ultimately this work will result in a transfer of knowledge, tools and methodologies to coastal, rural communities in the region, especially French speaking communities.
Responsibilities
- Providing vision and leadership while connecting the many parts of the project together
- Hiring, supporting and supervising local researcher, students and volunteers
- Coordinating research collaborators across the region
- Developing and disseminating two bilingual toolkits
- Research and writing
- Managing a budget and providing regular reports to funders
- Presentations and workshops to engage participation and to disseminate the research
- Reporting to and working with the Ecology Action Centre’s Coastal Issues Committee
- Participating in and supporting the overall work of the Ecology Action Centre
Required Skills & Experience
- Bilingual (French/English)
- Excellent project management skills including budget management
- Proven ability to inspire and manage collaborations
- Excellent research skills including a grounding in participatory methods
- Proven communication and networking skills
- Understanding of climate change and climate change adaptation
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Ability to work autonomously
- Big-picture thinking skills
- Persistent and diplomatic with a team-oriented approach
- Masters in Environmental Studies, Land Use Planning or equivalent work experience
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience working in non-profit, volunteer-driven organizations
- Knowledge of NS’s coastal communities and the key players
- Knowledge of key climate change researchers and institution in the region
Term: 25 April 2011 until 31 March 2013
Wage: $22.50 per hour for 20 hours per week; includes four weeks paid vacation and benefits
Location: preferably the Ecology Action Centre office in Halifax, NS though we are open to discussing other options; some travel will be required
Application: Cover letter, resume and three references. Please submit your application in the form of a pdf document with required elements in the following order: cover letter, resume, references.
Deadline: March 31, 2011 at 4pm
Attention: Jennifer Graham
Coastal Coordinator
coastal@ecologyaction.ca
We thank all applicants for their time and interest, however only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Interviews will take place the first week of April.
The Ecology Action Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, First Nations, and persons with disabilities.
The Ecology Action Centre was founded in 1971 and is one of Nova Scotia’s most active environmental organizations. The Centre welcomes new members and volunteers: www.ecologyaction.ca.
