Date:	June, 2014
Reports to (Job Title):	Associate Vice-President, Research, Office of Research (OR)
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	Manager, International Research and Partnerships Administrator, International Research and Partnerships
Location:	Main Campus
Grade:	USG 15 35 hr/wk
Department	Waterloo International

Primary Purpose

As a senior internationalization strategist and UWaterloo International Liaison Officer (ILO), responsible for serving as a key liaison with external international agencies and for implementing a broad range of strategic activities supporting international research, training, research mobility, and development programs, including development, approval, and coordination of formal agreements for international research and general partnerships with institutions abroad. Plays a crucial role in expanding and maintaining UWaterloo’s reputation for global excellence in research, a critical component of the internationalization goals specified in the university’s Strategic Plan (2013/2014).

Key Accountabilities:

1. Accountable for all aspects of UWaterloo international research and general partnerships, including development and implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance opportunities and funding for international research and to promote international training, research mobility, and development programs; responsible for facilitating global alliances and global networking of UWaterloo research centres and institutes.

As a key strategic driver for enhancing international research partnerships and diversifying research funding, accountable for directing the successful implementation of all international research and partnership themes identified in the UWaterloo Sixth Decade Plan and Strategic Plan (2013/2014), including increased engagement with leading global institutions to enhance research networks and leverage new funding opportunities.
Responsible for developing innovative strategies for achieving the research internationalization goals of the university.
Responsible for providing strategic counsel, visioning, needs assessment, and market intelligence to senior administrators with respect to partnerships with elite institutions and opportunities for international research, including sources of funding (e.g., domestic and international funding agencies, foundations, NGOs, and industry) as well as international contract training, research mobility, and development programs.
As the UWaterloo ILO, accountable for proactively communicating and facilitating new opportunities for international research partnerships (including those with industry), training, research mobility, and development programs by establishing an active network of strategic relationships with international contacts and partners, with sponsoring agencies for international research, and with international offices at other universities.
Liaises with federal and provincial ministries; international funding agencies; embassies; other universities worldwide; Canadian and international businesses; public and private foundations that support international research.
Responsible for proactively promoting UWaterloo research capacities on the world stage and for facilitating the development of globally networked UWaterloo research centres and institutes.
Identifies and publicizes funding opportunities for international research and facilitates the development of funding proposals, contract negotiation, and project management for international projects across all UWaterloo research fields.
In collaboration with the OR Communications Officer and the WI Director, International Communications and Strategic Initiatives, responsible for implementing a communication strategy to profile and market UWaterloo international research competencies and opportunities.
Responsible for overseeing information sessions, workshops, and other outreach venues for international visitors, including agency representatives, senior delegations and senior dignitaries with a particular focus on promoting research and partnership linkages and funding opportunities.
At the request of senior administrators, represents UWaterloo at international venues including conferences, workshops, meetings, AUCC ILO Advisory Committee meetings, the CTT International Committee Task Force, APIE, NAFSA, EAIE, CBIE, and CME.
Responsible for delivering professional presentations at appropriate venues both on campus and abroad to promote UWaterloo’s international research interests and capacities.

2. Accountable for management of all international research projects, research mobility, training and development programs as well as strategic partnerships

Serves as the principal UWaterloo contact for the development, coordination, and review of all general and research-based international memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and other types of agreements, and for ensuring their adherence to uWaterloo policies.
Assists faculty with the preparation of international research proposals and agreements, ensuring that they are in accordance with university policies and procedures, include the requisite approvals, and meet program guidelines and criteria.
Negotiates complex contract agreements for international research, training, research mobility and development programs to maximize benefits (e.g., indirect cost recovery; IP rights) and reduce risk (e.g., liability) that might jeopardize the interests of the university.
Oversees program management for funded international research, training, research mobility, and development programs to ensure execution of required reporting, audits, and performance monitoring.
Contributes to the development and implementation of university-wide policies and procedures that impact international research, training, research mobility, and development programs, ensuring consideration of uWaterloo’s international research and global alliance interests.
Responsible for providing expert advice to researchers and senior administrators with respect to the risks associated with international research, training, research mobility, and development programs and contributes to the development of university policies and procedures designed to mitigate such risks.

Develops and manages an annual budget for a reconfigured International Research and Partnerships Office and ensures successful measureable outcomes within the approved budget.

Within the limits specified in the uWaterloo policy on signing authority, exercises signing authority for international research, training, research mobility, and development proposals.

3. Collaborates, advises, consults, and keeps current with relevant research and institutional knowledge

As the UWaterloo International Liaison Officer, interacts with the President’s Office; the Vice-President, Research; the Associate Vice-President, Research; the Associate Vice-President International; Associate Vice-President External Research; and senior administrators in the faculties to promote global partnerships, international research, research mobility, and development programs, including development of strategic position papers, background reports, briefing notes, and business plans.
Develops metrics for international research, training, research mobility, and development programs for senior UWaterloo administrators and for Canadian and international agencies, as required.
Collaborates with, and serves as a resource for, the Director, International Mobility and Global Learning, with respect to international student exchange and mobility programs.
Represents the OR and WI on university standing committees, including the Advisory Committee for International Connections, the International Exchange Committee, and the International Operations Group as well as ad hoc committees such as the International Research Committee and a variety of Country Strategy Development Groups.
Facilitates the effective exchange of information about international research within and across UWaterloo faculties, research groups, centres, and institutes and facilitates the development of international research teams.
Keeps fully cognizant of the broad scope of UWaterloo’s international research capacities and activity, including individual, group, and consortia arrangements in numerous countries.
Forecasts emerging trends and opportunities for international research and global partnerships with business, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
Researches and integrates best-practice strategic planning and research management policies and plans for a reconfigured International Research and Partnerships Office.

4. Manages, motivates and mentors staff

Hires WI/OR team members under his/her direction, including managing interview committees; negotiates and administers salaries, promotions, and reclassifications; evaluates staff performance; and when necessary, handles disciplinary action.
Accountable for creating and maintaining a work environment that embraces the basic principles of the uWaterloo workplace as set out by Organization & Human Development: cooperating, sharing ideas, and working together for a common purpose by focusing on the situation, issue, or behaviour, not the person; maintaining the self-confidence and self-esteem of others; maintaining constructive relationships; taking the initiative to make things better; leading by example; and thinking beyond the moment.

Position Requirements

Education:

Graduate degree; professional qualifications or specialized training related to international research and global alliances.

Experience:

10 years of experience in facilitating international research and global alliances.
Essential: sound understanding of the sensitivities involved in interacting in a cross-cultural context and demonstrated comprehension of international business etiquette.
Demonstrated advanced proficiency in proposal development and contract negotiation.
Proven proficiency as a strategic planner, with demonstrated management skills and success in promoting and maintaining strong working relationships with international partners in academic, business, not-for-profit, government, and non-governmental organizations.
Evidence of highly developed budget, project, and human resources management abilities, including hiring, directing, evaluating, and mentoring employees.
Extensive knowledge of the international academic and research environment, including international academic administrative protocols, legal and financial issues pertaining to international activity, intellectual property rights, and conflict of interest and liability issues.
Comprehensive understanding of international research, training, research mobility, and development programs, including global trends, best practices, risk management protocols, and the needs of stakeholders.
Demonstrated leadership and change-management experience, coupled with proven ability to engage internal and external stakeholders and to work collaboratively to build consensus in a complex environment characterized by competing priorities.
Demonstrated maturity, competence, and professionalism appropriate for interacting with the highest internal administrative echelon and for representing the university vis-à-vis government, corporate, and not-for-profit organizations.
Beneficial: ability to function in other languages and understand a range of social/business nuances.
Advanced public/promotional speaking skills and proven proficiency in the design and delivery of effective presentations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write effectively, authentically, and in a manner consistent with the quality and standard expected of university-level communications.
Ability to exercise judgment, build consensus, and foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, negotiation, and organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in and adapt to a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues.
Essential: ability to motivate others.

Technical:

MS Word	Excel	PowerPoint	Other
Intermediate	Intermediate	Intermediate	Advanced

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

Internally, interacts with faculties and departments to facilitate international research and global partnership strategies; externally, as the UWaterloo ILO, communicates and negotiates with international institutions and organizations as well as high-level government and private stakeholders to achieve UWaterloo international research goals; exercises diplomacy and demonstrates superior interpersonal skills in hosting visiting dignitaries.

Level of Responsibility:

Directs a university-wide function; provides senior management expertise and is accountable for establishing strategic priorities that ensure effective development and management oversight of international research proposals and projects and global alliance agreements.

Decision-Making Authority:

As a senior internationalization strategist, accountable for decisions that impact the reputation of the university and the successful establishment of international research and global alliances; makes independent decisions while travelling to ensure that UWaterloo’s internationalization priorities are represented at external venues; has signing authority for international research, training, research mobility and development proposals and contracts to a maximum specified in university policies.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

While on campus: minimal demands typical of a position operating within an office environment; while travelling: on occasion, extreme demands because of unavoidable exposure to dangerous or unpleasant environments; disruptions in lifestyle attributable to extended hours/schedules.

Mental Stress: While travelling: possibility of exposure to political unrest and increased potential for unstable social conditions; difficulties associated with travelling and communicating where English is not the first language; additional hours of work and prolonged absences from office and home; multiple and/or tight deadlines.

Working Environment:

While on campus: minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions typical of a position exposed to stress and pressure associated with senior-management-level responsibilities; work outside the normal operating hours of the institution; while travelling: on occasion, exposure to disagreeable conditions, 8- to 24-hour plane rides in economy class, and possible exposure to numerous diseases and unsanitary conditions.

Director, Global Research and Strategic Alliances