Posted to IASSIST on: 2018-04-24
Employer: University of Victoria
Employer URL: https://www.uvic.ca/
Description
The ICSU World Data System (ICSU-WDS: www.icsu-wds.org) was established by the International Council for Science (ICSU: www.icsu.org/) in September 2008 to promote long-term stewardship of, and universal and equitable access to, quality-assured scientific data and data services, products, and information across a range of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, and the humanities. ICSU-WDS aims to facilitate scientific research by coordinating and supporting trustworthy scientific data services for the provision, use, and preservation of relevant datasets, while strengthening their links with the research community. ICSU-WDS is governed by a Scientific Committee (WDS-SC) appointed by ICSU and made up of leading scientists and experts who are actively involved with data and/or computer sciences. An International Programme Office (WDS-IPO) hosted by the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology was established in March 2011. With guidance from the WDS-SC, the IPO has the task of coordinating the operations of ICSU-WDS and is responsible for implementing WDS-SC decisions.
The WDS International Technology Office (Office), to be hosted by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) at the University of Victoria, is an initiative hosted by the three current regular members of ICSU’s World Data System and their Canadian host Institutions. They are:
- Ocean Networks Canada at the University of Victoria, British Columbia
- the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre at the National Research Council in Victoria, British Columbia, and the
- the Canadian Cryospheric Information Network (CCIN)/Polar Data Catalogue (PDC) at the University of Waterloo in Ontario
All three proponents are internationally recognized organizations supporting the hosting and curation of scientific data in the natural sciences and social sciences in the case of CCIN/PDC. They provide services dealing with the acquisition, storage, curation, access and publication of data and data products with significant public outreach and education programmes. In addition, Research Data Canada, the Canadian affiliate to the Research Data Alliance, based in Ottawa, is also a strong supporter of the initiative.
The Office is funded by a consortium comprised of ONC, the University of Victoria, Research Data Canada, the National Research Council and other funding partners such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The Office is being established with a three-year term with the intention to develop a sustainability plan for its ongoing operation.
Qualifications and experience
The Associate Director will hold a Master’s degree in information technology, natural, library or engineering sciences. The candidate will have five (5) years of direct and hands-on experience leading the development and integration of complex data and information systems in the context of international or multi-partner scientific data and information management collaborations.
Additionally, experience is required in:
- Management experience in a not-for-profit or academic environment
- Supervision of small technical teams
- Organizational and financial management
- Development of grant proposals
- Project management
- Social media
- Development and maintenance of web interfaces
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Key job-specific competencies
- Excellent command of written and spoken English as well as outstanding public speaking abilities.
- Strong understanding of information systems, web interfaces business software and data management.
- Strong team leadership, supervisory experience and an aptitude to operate as an effective tactical as well as a strategic thinker.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise judgement independently.
- Ability to plan, organize and monitor activities and projects according to priorities, established schedules and deadlines.
- Ability to plan, organize and monitor the work and activities of self and direct reports.
- Ability to serve as spokesperson, facilitator or participant in meetings and presentations to committees, organizations and stakeholders.
Archived on: 2018-08-24