Site Queens University
BACKGROUND:
The Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) is a unit within the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). DDQIC is a pan-university Centre with a mission of developing entrepreneurial mindset and fostering a culture of innovation across Queen’s University, the Kingston community, and globally. DDQIC builds changemakers at all levels including youth, students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members by encouraging and supporting their entrepreneurial initiatives through incubators, workshops, programs, courses, mentorship, pitch competitions, and other initiatives.
In November 2020, DDQIC, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, launched the Jim Leech MasterCard Foundation Fellowship (JL MCF) on Entrepreneurship for African students. The program welcomes 1000+ aspiring entrepreneurs per year from across Africa, who receive virtual entrepreneurship training, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own ventures. The 8-month program develops the entrepreneurial skillset and mindset of leaders to drive social and financial impact. Demand for the JL MCF program immediately exceeded expectations and has continued to grow. As a result of the JL MCF program, DDQIC has established several partnerships across Africa and these new partnerships continue to develop.
In addition to JL MCF, DDQIC is actively working on other international initiatives such as the Future Leaders Initiative at Queen’s University (FLIQ), a ready-made entrepreneurship program for high school-aged youth across the globe that aims to build awareness and confidence of diverse youth to pursue post-secondary education.
As DDQIC’s international presence and programming continues to grow, the Centre is in need of a full-time International Programs Manager dedicated to current and new international programs.
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Executive Director of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) and providing support and receiving daily work direction from the Program Managers, and as a member of the DDQIC management team, the International Programs Manager, is responsible for overseeing the execution of DDQIC international programs by performing various duties, including, but not limited to: leading the successful execution of DDQIC international programs and events, overseeing program budgets and managing special projects from start to finish.
The International Programs Manager builds strong professional relationships, often representing DDQIC in external meetings and workshops, and provides professional guidance to program participants. The International Programs Manager liaises with external partners including other post-secondary institutions, government agencies, and alumni supporters of DDQIC across the continent of Africa and across the globe.
The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work occasional evenings and / or weekends, according to program or area needs. This includes periodic international travel.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develops, coordinates, implements, and promotes, DDQIC international programs (e.g., the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship, and the Future Leaders Initiative at Queen’s University).
• Administers, plans, and coordinates the design, launch, and execution of new international programs and partnerships (e.g., E-Jobs4All, QUEST School, and other institutional partnerships).
• Acts as the primary contact for DDQIC international programs and resources by liaising with program participants, applicants, and potential applicants, and interacts with administrators at international post-secondary institutions and organizations. Responds to questions, problems or concerns raised and redirects to senior staff or others as required.
• Provides administrative guidance to program inquiries and applicants relating to the application process.
• Coordinates travel and event planning for DDQIC international initiatives. This involves arranging travel and accommodation, preparing/distributing handout materials, and following-up with program participants, guests, partners, and other external organizations.
• Supports the development, implementation and facilitation of workshops and online modules such as Design Thinking, Customer Discovery, and High-Performance Teams.
• Oversees/Manages the impact evaluation process for DDQIC international programs by deploying and analyzing data. Prepares statistical reports on venture and founder success rates and other key metrics, for use internally and for donor reports. Identifies trends, opportunities and/or potential issues within the program, recommends solutions and escalates as required.
• Assists with budget planning by preparing and monitoring program and project data, spreadsheets, and budgets.
• Oversees the completion of annual philanthropy stewardship reports and quarterly grant reports pertaining to financial data, quantitative metrics as well as written reports on the outcomes of the program.
• Conducts research to identify and secure new funding opportunities for DDQIC international programs, including government and foundation grants and private or corporate donations in collaboration with Queen’s University and/or Advancement staff, and prepares documents and data for use in securing these funding sources.
• Interacts and communicates directly with key stakeholders, internal and external to the University. Stakeholders include students, staff, faculty members, academic assistants and Deans in all Faculties, VP Global Engagement, VP Research, representatives of government agencies (e.g., Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Government of Botswana), the QIC Global Network, and donors.
• Fosters partnerships, independently and in conjunction with the DDQIC team, with external agencies and partners, serving as contact for questions, comments, or concerns, resolving problems where possible and answering questions as they arise, and redirecting only unusual problems to more senior staff.
• Meets with visitors to Queen’s University such as international government officials, alumni and potential donors regarding DDQIC’s programs. Occasionally the sole QIC representative at networking events, as required.
• Provides work direction, and technical/functional guidance to casual staff. Schedules and assigns work, and oversees its completion. Coordinates and monitors workflow.
• Participates in screening and interviewing job candidates and providing input into staff selection.
• Provides orientation and on-the-job training to casual staff. Provides coaching and feedback on work quality issues, providing related day-to-day supervision. Escalates unresolved performance and/or disciplinary matters to management.
• Undertakes other duties or special projects as required in support of DDQIC, as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• University degree with a minimum of 5 years of job-related experience working in a program coordination position, preferably in a post-secondary environment.
• Previous experience coordinating, leading and/or managing projects required.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Web development and database management experience considered an asset.
• Experience with international programs or projects relating to innovation and entrepreneurship will be considered an asset.
• Familiarity with Queen’s software systems (OnQ, AcQuire, Qualtrics, etc.) considered an asset
• Consideration will be given to equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Communication (both verbal and written), active-listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and promote a team environment.
• Strong analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work with information (both qualitative and quantitative) to draw conclusions about program efforts.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to prioritize own workload priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adhere to and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to changing technology and implement new processes to increase productivity.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, and initiative.
• Ability to perform financial administration duties, including the ability to analyze, interpret financial data.
• Strong customer service orientation with an ability to maintain composure and respond professionally, despite frequent interruptions and challenging situations.
• Leadership and motivational skills with the ability to work part of a team or independently, with minimal supervision.
DECISION MAKING:
• Based on information and direction of DDQIC, interprets policy or analyzes procedures and recommends changes or amendments as required to positively impact program operations.
• Assesses and sets work priorities and makes recommendations for self and casual staff resources to ensure deadlines are met and goals achieved. Delegates work and provides guidance to students and/or casual staff, as well as Program Coordinators.
• Determines priorities and makes decisions about casual staff utilization and the assignment of work to achieve optimum efficiencies and productivity.
• Monitors and assesses output and the quality of casual staff work, and recommends need for formal training or development plans to management and identifies possible staff performance and/or disciplinary issues.
• Answers queries and produces and distributes information material. Refers complex problems to more senior staff, ensuring appropriate background information is provided.
• Decides on best approach to respond to enquiries from senior management, program participants and internal and external stakeholders.
How to apply: