Research Communications Coordinator, Centre for Law, Technology and Society

Job classification: NR4–Research Coordinator
Duration: One-year contract, renewable
Hours: Full-time (part-time possible)
Start date: Flexible, as soon as possible
Annual base salary range: $51,950–66,139, plus benefits (commensurate with qualifications and experience)
Unit: University of Ottawa Centre for Law Technology and Society
Reports to: Director, Centre for Law, Technology and Society

Important Message
This posting is part of a group of job postings to create a support team under the leadership of Prof.Florian Martin-Bariteau. Advertised positions may be joined, and job descriptions and levels might be varied based on candidate profiles, qualifications, and experience. Candidates are welcome to apply to different positions at the same time, and to specify their interest in their cover letter(s).

Position Description

The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is seeking a creative and driven Research Communications Coordinator to support communications, marketing, and knowledge mobilization needs.

The Research Communications Coordinator will develop, oversee, and implement our strategic communications and public engagement–from media to events. They will provide communications and digital marketing support, including the development of integrated communications, marketing, content and media plans in order to enhance the impact of the work and reputation of the Centre and its members.

The Research Communications Coordinator will develop and produce a wide range of products, public-facing reports, and materials, according to the Centre’s standards, timelines and budget. They will oversee all aspects of our digital presence from our website to social media channels. They will coordinate external communications with media and key stakeholders in order to enhance the Centre’s profile and reputation.

The Research Communications Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating and designing the promotion of the Centre’s community, events and research on the Centre’s website, newsletter, and social media in addition to original video and design work. They will manage the creation, production and distribution of digital and print material, marketing and media activities. They will also coordinate and collaborate with the teams of the Centre’s programs and projects, advising and recommending communication and knowledge mobilization strategies to internal stakeholders. They will support the Centre and its members by contributing to the design, development and dissemination of communication materials, and will ensure compliance with the University and Centre’s branding guidelines.

Reporting to the Centre’s Director, the Research Communications Coordinator will join the growing team and dynamic community of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Law, Technology and Society, Canada’s leading research group in technology law, ethics and policy.

They will be working both in French and English, and perform all duties autonomously and proactively. They may supervise and coordinate communication assistant(s) hired to support them for specific functions or projects. Occasionally, they may be seconded to support key initiatives or events.

Place of work and COVID-19: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned to a work-from-home model, and this role is expected to begin as a remote position. We understand each person’s circumstances are unique and will work with the selected candidate to explore possible options. At the campus’ reopening, the position will be located within our new workspaces at 100 Thomas Moore, Ottawa. After a reasonable notice, it will be expected that the hired candidate will work in person in our office spaces.

About the Centre for the Law, Technology and Society

The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is Canada’s premier research group on technology law, ethics and policy and a global leader advancing research and policy in an interdisciplinary setting for the benefit of Canadians and the world.

We gather, in an interdisciplinary setting, 24 Faculty members from the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Law, and Social Sciences, 13 Associate members and more than 150 fellows, researchers and students.

Since its inception, the Centre has conducted cutting-edge research at the intersection of technology, law, public policy and society. Formally founded in 2009, the Centre builds on the law and technology research group established by trailblazers Michael Geist and Ian R. Kerr in the late 1990’s. For 20 years, our group has been leading global conversations on the impact of technology on society and civil liberties in efforts to shape policy for a better future in the digital context. Beyond Canada, we have taken important steps to build a global community and advance our role to the global stage.

Our mission is to research, analyze and shed light on the complex and interdependent relationships between law, policy, technology and society; and support research and training excellence to study innovation and emerging technologies from socio-ethical, legal and policy perspectives. We think in an interdisciplinary setting about the impact of technology on individuals and society: researching and assessing policy gaps and the need for regulation. We advocate evidence-based policy to build a more inclusive society, develop more inclusive and ethical technologies, and defend human rights in the digital context: engaging with policy-makers; informing the public; and intervening in courts. We bridge people and fields of expertise: connecting academia, government, civil society and industry; promoting knowledge exchange; and developing technology and digital rights literacy.

Our mission is guided by principles of equity, access to justice, international development, democracy, human rights and civil liberties. We encourage multi- and transdisciplinary inquiries, allowing for different—sometimes complementary and sometimes discordant—perspectives on the same topic to inform analysis and debate on an issue, thereby providing the richest and most comprehensive approach to research and policy-making.

Our members are hugely involved in policy making in Canada and across the globe. They have presented and published their research to a diverse range of audiences in Canada and all over the world. They appear in local, national and international news outlets almost every day to ensure better dissemination of academic research and a greater impact for Canadian society.

Tasks and Duties

Communication and Marketing

• Assists with the development, execution, implementation and evaluation of communication strategies and materials. 
• Develops and recommends external communications, managing effective communication with the media and public. 
• Leads strategic communications; writes news and other announcements such as press releases; handles media calls, distributes media calls to relevant members; supports members for media relations and prepares them for media appearances. 
• Leads social media campaigns and public engagement projects to maximize research communications and impact; prepares the newsletter and other public engagement products. 
• Develops promotional tools and initiatives, including communications plans and document templates to support the work and growth of the Centre and its members. 
• Designs, formats and publishes reports, posters, booklets, and other contents.  
• Maintains a style guide and provides direction in the interpretation of the style guide in websites, publications, and other applications. 
• Maintains brand standards across all channels, and ensures compliance with the  University, partners and Centre’s policies and standards.

Knowledge mobilization and events

• Conducts research to identify relevant stakeholders and individuals in the fields identified; 
• Assists in the organization and implementation of research dissemination events (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.) including: contacting relevant and interested stakeholders; drafting strategic event communications; conducting research on the topic of the event; developing materials. 
• Assists with authoring relevant sections of manuscripts, and facilitates the submission of study results, conference abstracts and preparation of posters, oral presentations, and journal articles for publications.
• Prepares tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
• Develops online digital resources, including databases and corpuses.
• Assists with the preparation, writing, translation (English and French) of key documents including grant applications, ethics applications, project reports, manuscripts for publication, abstracts, scientific posters and presentations by providing technical content in support of such documents.

Coordination Duties

• Carries out general project administration and communication duties as required by the Centre’s activities and program.
• Assists with welcoming, training, guiding, and supervising students and research staff.
• Develops, implements and maintains physical and electronic filing systems, especially for data management.
• Plans and arranges meetings, teleconferences and other research activities with stakeholders.
• Processes, organizes and summarizes data, and reports experiment results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms.
• Prepares detailed documentation files.
• Assists with any other duties required by the research projects or for the management of the Centre.

Knowledge, skills, education and experience

• Undergraduate degree in marketing, communications, journalism or a related discipline. 
• One to two years’ experience (print and/or digital; events; media; professional or not). 
• Strong computer proficiency using Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive), Google Apps, Slack, and electronic scheduling software. 
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere), Drupal and Wordpress. Proficiency in HTML and CSS are an asset. 
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, to work under pressure, to effectively manage overlapping duties and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to pay attention to detail and display resourcefulness.
• Strong organisational, time management, coordination and facilitation skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills as well as the ability to work in a team environment.
• Advanced writing, editing and proofreading skills in English and French (written bilingualism is required); advanced verbal skills in English and French (bilingualism is preferred). Fluency in other languages is an asset.

Additionally, we would really like our Research Communications Coordinator to have:

• Demonstrated commitment to and belief in equity, inclusion, diversity and decolonization.
• Cross-cultural communication skills, sensitivity and awareness, excellent interpersonal and networking skills among diverse stakeholder groups.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter and a résumé on our application portal before August 30.

Questions about the process can be sent to techlaw@uottawa.ca, and questions about the position to fmb@uottawa.ca.

The cover letter must indicate the level of proficiency in both English and French.

We thank all applicants for their interest. While we are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all applicants, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. Please be advised that, due to changes in our funding, management or organizational needs, we reserve the right to pause or stop a job competition at any stage in the process. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner.

The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities, as well as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

In keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements, all qualified persons are invited to apply but priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The cover letter should confirm the immigration status of the candidate.

In keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the University of Ottawa will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection and assessment process for candidates with a disability.