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Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations. You can learn more about us here or through our stories.

We're looking for talented, motivated and value-driven professionals to help advance our mission. See below for our current employment opportunities!

Special Advisor, Indigenous

Location: University of Victoria
Salary: $91,290.00 - $118,764.00
Deadline for application: September 16, 2025

About This Opportunity

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.

With support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Yukon University, led by the University of Victoria.

The salary range for this position is: 
Recruitment range:  $91,290- $100,665 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement. 
Performance range: $118,764 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.

In accordance with the university's Preferential or Limited Hiring Policy (HR6110) and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to Indigenous Peoples. Candidates from the group(s) who wish to qualify for preferential consideration are encouraged to self-identify.

The Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI) is in the early phases of drafting a policy and developing a process to verify declarations of Indigenous identity, citizenship and membership at UVic where these claims result in material advantages, such as employment in an Indigenous-specific position. While the policy is not in place at this time and will not be retroactively applied, candidates will be required to complete the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration (ICD) process should they apply for, or access, future opportunities resulting in material gain.

For more information about the ICD initiative, please visit the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration website and please feel free to reach out to vpiicd@uvic.ca if you have specific questions or concerns.

Job Summary

The Special Advisor Indigenous position plays a critical role in helping ACET collaborate and co-design research with Indigenous communities in BC and across Canada through transparent, respectful, and meaningful engagement.

Having a direct connection ACET’s Executive Director and interfacing with the UVic Office of the Vice-President, Indigenous (VPI), as well as representatives from diverse Indigenous communities, this role will be responsible for ACET strategic planning and engagement activities with Indigenous communities, including community relations, issue management, resource planning, reporting and ACET Project development with Indigenous partners.

The Special Advisor will also work with the ACET Research Culture and Learning officer to develop and incorporate specific Indigenous training and guidance for researchers. They will also provide strategic advice on Governance and ACET processes to properly embed principles of Indigenous rights and reconciliation and help to manage the SRA 5 Manager (Indigenous) and the network of Indigenous community Research Managers allowing for sharing knowledge and consistency.

The Special Advisor will understand and situate current and new ACET activities and Projects by collaborating across the ACET team, the VPI, Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE), as well as researchers and other ACET partners. They will also identify, build on, and work to build reciprocal, respectful, long term, and continuous relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to help them identify and develop and co-create ACET Projects.

In collaboration with the VPI, the Special Advisor will ensure ACET implements relevant elements of the ACET institutions’ Indigenous plans and associated policies, as well as the federal research funding agencies' Indigenous Research strategic plan, policies and recommended practices. They will also work across other ACET partner institutions to ensure ACET is contributing to those institutions’ similar efforts towards Indigenous reconciliation. In addition, they will coordinate with other CFREFs to learn from and contribute to best practices in Indigenous research activities and training.

To be successful, the candidate will be well versed and experienced in working effectively and respectfully with Indigenous communities, ideally in the context of climate, sustainability, and energy. The candidate must also be a skilled collaborator and effective communicator with individuals and across team environments.

For more information about this role, including how to apply, visit:  

Communications Designer

Location: University of Victoria 
Reports to: Strategic Communications Officer 
Salary: $70,000  (one year contract)
Deadline for application: September 21, 2025 (updated)

Position summary 

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.  

With support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Yukon University, led by the University of Victoria. 

Reporting to the Strategic Communications Officer, the Communications Designer is responsible for creating visually-rich public- and partner-facing content and materials that generate interest, drive engagement and support ACET’s strategic communications, project development, partner engagement and knowledge mobilization goals. 

The Communications Designer will play an integral role in maintaining and enhancing ACET’s website, social media channels (incl. LinkedIn and Facebook), branded assets and collateral, and photo/video database.  

This role is ideal for a visual storyteller who can bring a brand to life through graphic design, photography, videography, illustration and/or data visualization, and effectively mobilize that content across platforms and channels. 

Key responsibilities 

• Strategic asset and collateral design and development (e.g. branded banners, brochures, presentation decks, digital signage, videos, reports, newsletters and swag).  
• Identify and develop opportunities for visual-first content, including photo essays, graphic narratives, and/or short- or long-form videos.
• Incorporate video, photo, illustrations and graphics into existing assets and collateral.
• Build compelling new web pages and content sections and/or enhance existing web pages with new visual element while ensuring content is accessible, equitable and on-brand.
• Provide in-house graphic design support and visual identity development for Strategic Research Area (SRA) Managers, project leads and divisional partners by developing templates, iconography, branding and other research- and project-specific assets.

• Website administration, maintenance and updates. 
• Newsletter development. 
• Photo and video asset collection, dissemination and archiving. 

• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications Officer and Social Media Intern to create clear, compelling and professional content for social media channels (incl. LinkedIn and Facebook) for key audiences (incl. communities, researchers, partners, funding agencies and professional networks). 
• Monitor and assess comments, responses, messages and partner posts. Track, reply or escalate to leadership as appropriate. 
• Track metrics and make recommendations for improvement. 
• Promote events, project updates, research outputs and milestones. 

• Coordinate branded asset orders and distribution among ACET’s core team. 
• Consult and coordinate with staff, researchers, project partners and interest-holders on content development when appropriate. 
• Contribute to storyboarding and creative ideation for content development as appropriate. 
• Support tracking of external communication efforts to fulfill ACET reporting requirements. 
• Uphold ACET values related to EDI and safe and healthy workplaces. 

Skills and Qualifications 

• This position requires proven and practical experience creating high-quality multimedia content that incorporates text, graphics, illustrations, photos and/or videos for multiple applications and professional contexts. 
• Excellent working knowledge of graphic design fundamentals for print and digital media. 
• Extensive experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (incl. InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro) or equivalent.  
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, including Word and PowerPoint. 
• Clear understanding of web development, publishing processes and/or Content Management Systems (e.g. Cascade). 
• Working knowledge of social media (incl. LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube) best practices. 
• Experience with or understanding of brand standards, development and/or implementation. 
• Excellent communications skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build positive relationships while collaborating with diverse individuals across a broad network of overlapping teams. 
• Proven track record of producing high-quality deliverables and achieving project goals on time while prioritizing competing priorities. 
• Understanding of and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Assets 

• Experience working at a university, research institute, think tank or research-focused NGO; or with research services, knowledge mobilization or marketing or communications in an academic context.
• Abilities in illustration, data visualization, video production or podcasting.
• Experience communicating impact-oriented and/or community-centred research.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools, techniques and reporting.
• Experience using digital analytics insights to improve user experience, readability, accessibility, searchability and quality.
• Knowledge of social media management platforms (e.g. Hootsuite).  
• Familiarity with clean energy policy, issues and/or technologies.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.

Accessibility and Equity Statements 

Information about our accessibility and equity policies can be found below and/or accessed using the navigation menu on the left. 

How to Apply 

Applications for this position will be accepted until September 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM. 
To apply, email contactacet@uvic.ca with the subject line “ACET Communications Designer application” and the following attachments: 

• A cover letter
• Your CV
• Max. 2 page PDF portfolio with a curated selection of relevant works that demonstrate your proficiency in graphic design, multimedia production, and/or visual storytelling in print, digital or social 
  
  
  

Equity Statement

ACET and the University of Victoria are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and  in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read UVic's full equity statement at www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.

Accessibility Statement

 If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact uviccareers@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Territory Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, the Musqueam people, the fourteen Yukon First Nations, Atikamekw and other Indigenous People on which ACET partner institutions stand, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.