Call for expressions of interest for SSHRC governing council’s Programs Committee membership (graduate students / postdoctoral fellows)

SSHRC is seeking applications from diverse, talented Canadian graduate students or postdoctoral fellows from across the country interested in participating as a member of the Programs Committee of SSHRC’s governing council. There are currently two vacant positions.

Background

SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and research training in the humanities and social sciences. SSHRC’s governing council consists of SSHRC’s president and up to 18 other members, whose role is to advise the president on strategy, risk management, performance management and stakeholder relations, to ensure that SSHRC’s priorities and programs support high quality research, training and mobilization, and enable a strong, vibrant research community in the social sciences and humanities. Council members also participate in various committees, including the Programs Committee.

The Programs Committee monitors the overall design, coherence, and performance of SSHRC’s suite of programs and program-related policies in the context of the strategic direction and priorities endorsed by council in the pursuit of excellence. Topics covered in the past include assessing tri-agency programs and making recommendations to council related to program planning and strategic direction for program budget allocations.

Since 2018, the committee includes two external members from social sciences and humanities disciplines, including one graduate student / postdoctoral fellow from an anglophone institution and one graduate student / postdoctoral fellow from a francophone institution. These two external member positions are currently vacant, with the intention to select two students/fellows by December 2022, for the duration of their status as graduate student or postdoctoral fellow.

For more about SSHRC and its activities, see SSHRC’s website.

Remuneration is nil. However, reasonable travel and other expenses incurred while absent from your main residence in the course of committee duties will be paid (statutory).

Application process

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. (eastern) September 22, 2022, by emailing your CV and cover letter to SSHRC Governance. In your cover letter, provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application, and explain why you are interested in serving on the committee:

  1. 1. Education and experience
    • currently completing a graduate degree or postdoctoral fellowship in a social sciences and humanities discipline at a Canadian postsecondary institution;
    • demonstrated knowledge of SSHRC programs and initiatives; and
    • demonstrated engagement at the interface of academia and other public, private, and not-for profit sectors.

Criteria 2, 3 and 4 will be considered assets:

  1. 2. Personal attributes

    In your application, provide examples of how you have demonstrated the following:

    • interpersonal skills
    • sound judgment
    • ethical standards and integrity
    • tact and diplomacy
    • initiative
    • innovative mindset
  2. 3. Language requirements

    Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

  3. 4. Official languages and diversity

    SSHRC will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. Include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and racialized minorities.

  4. 5. Eligibility factors and conditions of appointment

    You must confirm in your application that you are willing to participate in committee meetings in Canada, which occur at least twice a year (statutory).

We know that our country is stronger—and our government more effective—when decision-makers reflect Canada's diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that all Canadians are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.


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