The University of British Columbia is seeking nominations and applications for the joint position of Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Affairs and Director of the First Nations House of Learning. The successful candidate will take office at a critical time, as the University reaffirms its commitment to Aboriginal people and embarks on the development of its Aboriginal Strategic Plan.

The Senior Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Affairs provides vision and leadership in achieving UBC's strategic plan in relation to Aboriginal affairs. He or she will play a pivotal role in establishing consistent, open channels of communication between indigenous people in the UBC and broader Aboriginal communities and the senior leadership of the University. The Senior Advisor will challenge and inspire the UBC community to meet the even higher aspirations related to Aboriginal affairs, at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.

The Director leads in the UBC Vancouver First Nations House of Learning's mandate to make the University's vast resources more accessible to First Peoples, and to improve the University's ability to meet the needs of First Nations. The FNHL facilitates the participation of Aboriginal people in a wide range of study areas by assisting with the development of academic, student service and community initiatives; encouraging, supporting and undertaking Aboriginal research and scholarship; promoting Aboriginal education; consolidating information on Aboriginal academic achievement; and sustaining and developing a "home away from home" for members of the UBC Aboriginal community. A spectacular longhouse enhances its ability to provide a positive environment for students, staff and faculty.

The successful candidate will be an Aboriginal person with a record of leadership and administration, preferably in higher education, and will be eligible for appointment to a tenured faculty position. (A description of the nature of a tenured appointment, and the criteria are available at www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty_relations/careers/tenure.html.)

UBC is a publicly supported, medical-doctoral university comprising 12 faculties, 11 schools, and 22 centres and institutes. UBC Vancouver enrols more than 35,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students, and UBC Okanagan hosts more than 4,000 students, to rise to 7,500 by 2010. System-wide faculty and staff number over 12,000. UBC-O and UBC-V have 20 Aboriginal coordinators and more than 20 Aboriginal faculty members, including one who holds a Canada Research Chair. For additional information, please visit www.ubc.ca.

With Aboriginal participation, UBC-V has developed many Aboriginal academic programs, courses and services - beginning in the mid-1970s in Education and Law, and later adding Social Work, Medicine, health professions, Forestry, Land and Food Systems, and Business, as well as First Nations Studies and First Nations Languages in the Faculty of Arts.

In partnership with the Aboriginal community, UBC-O has invested in Aboriginal Programs and Services, the Indigenous Studies Program and the Aboriginal Students Centre.

Consideration of candidates will begin May 1, 2008 and continue until an appointment is made. The successful candidate will take office on July 1, 2008 or as soon thereafter as mutually convenient. The appointment is for a term of five years and is renewable.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Applications, nominations, and requests for further information may be submitted in confidence to the address below.

Janet Wright & Associates Inc.
174 Bedford Road, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2K9
Fax: (416) 923-8311
ubcaboriginalaffairs@jwasearch.com

Janet Wright & Associates Inc.
Senior-level recruitment for the public and not-for-profit sectors
www.jwasearch.com