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Opportunity: Indigenous Post Doctoral Position

  • 1.  Opportunity: Indigenous Post Doctoral Position

    Posted 11-25-2021 14:54
    Opportunity: Indigenous Post Doctoral Position

    Project Overview

    Carleton University's Institute of African Studies and Sprott School of Business are seeking applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship to develop an Africa-Canada Research Network to prepare a longer-term research initiative on Indigenous Youth Perspectives on Policies of Career, Employment and Entrepreneurship in Africa and Canada. The successful candidate will ideally start January 2022 and be an emerging scholar with a strong background and interest in Indigenous community economic development, health and well-being, entrepreneurship, sustainable youth employment/careers and Indigenous methodologies.

    Research Project Overview
    The proposed project will engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers working with Indigenous youth, communities and academic partners of the Khoisan of South Africa, the Benet, Batwa and Basongora of Uganda, the Ogoni and Ijaw in Nigeria, as the Ogiek and Sengwer people in Kenya, and the Masaai of Kenya and Tanzania. In preparation of a multi-year community-based participatory research initiative, this project will feature Indigenous-led consultations with prospective research hubs and Indigenous community partners in each of these communities. It will focus on identifying and recruiting project partners and collaborators who will co-create and co-generate the research design, project objectives and community-led interventions with Indigenous youth and community partners that will promote socio-economic health and wellbeing. This project will include Carleton University and universities across Africa and will engage Indigenous community members and organizations. Background research will include a synthesis of the state of research related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth employment, and a stakeholder mapping of actors working on research in this area across the Canadian context.

    Research Co-Principal Investigators
    1. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Adjunct Research Professor, Institute of African Studies
    2. Rick Colbourne, Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusive Communities |Assistant Professor, Indigenous Leadership and Management, Sprott School of Business |Director, Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Enterprise
    Location
    The International Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Enterprise is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Nation at Carleton University in the Sprott School of Business in Ottawa, Ontario. The Centre is focused on Indigenous community economic development, entrepreneurship, governance and Indigenous methodologies that support community sovereignty, self-governance and self-determination.

    Role Description
    The Postdoctoral Research Assistant will assist Drs. Oloruntoba and Colbourne in:
    • researching and writing a comprehensive literature review of career readiness, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities among Indigenous young people across Africa and Canada
    • developing a project communication plan that includes a website for Indigenous youth and community recruitment and knowledge mobilization
    • identifying and mapping research network hubs in Africa engaged with Indigenous youth in relation to career, employment and entrepreneurship
    • establishing central and regional research hubs
    • facilitating sessions that uncover common understandings of research objectives between African Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars
    • analyzing responses from Indigenous youth, leaders and community members and reporting back to participating communities to contribute to the design of the next research phase
    • orienting researchers to community-based and Indigenous-led research methodologies and project objectives
    • co-designing custom training for project researchers, community-based researchers focused on facilitating Indigenous-led research that emphasizes the co-creation and co-construction of knowledge with and for Indigenous youth, community members and organizations
    • co-organizing and/or co-participating in a panel at the African Studies Association/International Studies Association/Canadian Association of African Studies and the Academy of Management to promote the project
    • preparing the full research proposal
    • developing grant applications to support future research in implementation and knowledge translation research
    • leading writing of journal manuscripts and project reports
    • leading community-focused knowledge mobilization
    Program Outputs and Outcomes
    • synthesis of the state of research on the nature of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities among Indigenous young people across Africa and Canada
    • creation of African research network and hubs
    • formation of an African research advisory committee (hub researchers and community partners)
    • creation and engagement of a network of community partners and project participants among Indigenous youth, communities and organizations in Africa
    • project manual and toolkit for undertaking Indigenous-led, community-based participatory action research with Indigenous communities across Africa
    • training design and delivery of a community-based and Indigenous-led participatory action research
    • preparation for submission of a full proposal and four-year project plan
    Evaluation Criteria
    The successful applicant will:
    • have earned a PhD or equivalent within five (5) years immediately preceding the appointment
    • demonstrate a research record and scholarly potential in Indigenous entrepreneurship, economic development, and/or Indigenous youth health and wellness
    • worked respectfully and effectively with Indigenous organizations, communities and/or Nations
    In addition:
    • this position will suit an individual who is creative, innovative, versatile and committed to upholding standards of equity, transparency, consistency and accuracy in forging a vital Indigenous presence in this space
    • potential candidates will preferably identify as Indigenous or have Indigenous lived experience
    • potential candidates will have a proven record of accomplishment of working well with Indigenous peoples
    Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Rick Colbourne at rick.colbourne@carleton.ca 

    Training Opportunities

    There will be opportunities to engage in a variety of Indigenous-centric training and mentoring, and community grounded research methodologies and practices that feature the co-creation and co-construction of knowledge as well as university-specific training. All researchers will be trained in the First Nation principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession of data (OCAP®).

    Accommodations and Accessibility
    Should you require a copy of this posting in an alternate format, please contact us as soon as possible and we would be happy to get one to you in a timely manner. We believe in the importance of supporting on the-job success for the incumbent and are pleased to discuss and/or provide specific tools, resources or other requirements for day-to-day work requirements, as needed.

    About Carleton University
    Carleton University is a dynamic and innovative research and teaching institution with a national and international reputation as a leader in collaborative teaching and learning, research and governance. To learn more about our university and the City of Ottawa, please visit www.carleton.ca/provost.

    Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Carleton understands that career paths vary. Legitimate career interruptions will in no way prejudice the assessment process and their impact will be taken into careful consideration.

    We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted for an interview, please inform us should accommodation be required, and arrangements will be made in a timely manner. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

    How to Apply
    Candidates that would like to apply for this fellowship opportunity are invited to submit their cover letter along with a resume/CV to Rick Colbourne at rick.colbourne@carleton.ca by January 7th, 2022.

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    Rick Colbourne
    Assistant Professor
    Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
    (604) 721-4354
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