Director of Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations

University of North Dakota•Grand Forks, ND

8d•$96,900•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director advances UND’s mission, values, goals, and responsibilities as a higher education institution by building and maintaining reciprocal, collaborative, mutual, and trusting relationships with regional Tribal Nations. The role fosters collaborative research, educational partnerships, and philanthropic investment, and provides leadership in Tribal consultation, strategic partnership development, sponsored research, fundraising, and resource development to expand opportunities for Tribal communities, students, faculty, and the University. The Director reports to the AVP of Health Research and collaborates with the university President, Provost, VP Research & Economic Development, Tribal Nation leadership and Tribal Colleges, corporate and foundation partners, UND Marketing and Communications, UND Foundation, and federal and state funding agencies. The position is based at the UND Grand Forks, ND campus at least two days per week; it is not fully remote. The role requires frequent travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
Must be willing to travel; travel requirements are frequent.
Professional experience working with North Dakota Tribal Communities.
Experience with state and federal research or educational funding agencies.
Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders in a complex organizational environment to advance strategic organizational objectives.
Experience building and maintaining positive relationships with community partners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting information to stakeholders and leading meetings.
Demonstrated critical-thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to explain policy and technical issues.
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead, and execute studies, projects, and/or programs and communicate results to senior leadership.
Understanding of matters impacting Tribal, Native, and Indigenous communities and factors affecting the success of Native American and Indigenous faculty, staff, and students in higher education.
Knowledge of and respect for Native American values and cultural competence, particularly related to American Indian culture.
Commitment to and experience with diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check.
Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire; the position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education, or advancement.
Successful grant writing and proposal development experience with a variety of funding agencies.

Responsibilities

Assemble regional Tribal Nations to support the development and implementation of UND’s Tribal Consultation Policy; coordinate communications and meetings with Tribal representatives.
Conduct consultation with Tribes, prepare post-consultation reports, and incorporate feedback into the UND Consultation Policy.
Develop a university-wide Tribal Consultation training module for new employees and present the policy’s goals and procedures to faculty, trainees, deans, department chairs, and researchers.
Work with the VPRED IRB and office to establish a threshold definition for research requiring consultation.
Track UND projects involving Tribal Nations in accordance with the Tribal Consultation Policy and maintain leadership’s understanding of UND–Tribal partnerships.
Collaborate with University Development, the UND Alumni Association, and academic leadership to strengthen philanthropic funding for Tribal partnerships, Indigenous student success, research, and community engagement.
Work with the AVP for Health Research to develop a Tribal Research portfolio highlighting research and sponsored partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Tribal Nations.
Identify, cultivate, and steward prospective donors, including Tribal organizations, alumni, individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
Assist in developing and implementing fundraising strategies involving grants, foundations, and collaborative research partnerships aligned with UND priorities and Tribal engagement goals.
Work with UND researchers and Tribal partners to develop a database of active research and educational activities involving Tribal partners.
As appropriate, lead or participate in externally funded projects involving Tribal communities; coordinate with grant teams, including IDEA/EPSCoR, on research and outreach activities with regional Tribal communities.
Prepare research reports and impact summaries on federal support, philanthropic investments, and sponsored projects for federal partners, Tribal partners, and university leadership.
Develop strategies with UND faculty and leadership to increase the inclusion of Tribal communities in research while adhering to the UND Tribal Consultation Policy.
Develop data-sharing and biological specimen handling and storage agreements that follow the Consultation Policy and recognize Tribal data sovereignty.
Coordinate with principal investigators on grant proposals involving Tribal partnerships to obtain Tribal Resolutions or agreements, and develop intellectual property agreements.
Coordinate with UND Marketing and Communications to highlight Tribal College research efforts and partnerships with UND.
As appropriate, recruit AI/AN students to join the UND community.