Since the term of Luis Sotelo Castro (second-co director of COHDS) is ending in June 2022, COHDS is seeking a second Co-Director for up to a 4-year term, starting in July 2022. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with the Lead Co-Director, the Centre’s Coordinator and Community Facilitator, the COHDS Administrative Board, and staff members.

Description of the second Co-Director Position

The Co-Director must be a full-time faculty member at Concordia University and a Core Affiliate of the COHDS Research Unit.

Collectively, the two Co-Directors form the appointed head of COHDS as a University- recognized Research Unit. Accountable to the VPRGS on matters pertaining to the activities of the unit, and working as needed with the appropriate Associate Deans of Research, the Co- Directors are administratively responsible for the Research Unit and exercise general supervision over its operations. The Co-Directors are responsible for the scientific direction and administration of the Research Unit.

In addition, the Co-Directors oversee: the coordination of the unit’s activities including student training, outreach, and special events; communications both within the unit and externally to partner institutions, external members, funding agencies, and the community; staff operations of the unit; the unit’s conformity to relevant Collective Agreements and policies in effect within the University; the budget of the unit and the submission of annual and other university- mandated reporting, such as materials required for the renewal of institutional recognition.

Although any faculty affiliate of COHDS may locate their research activities at the Centre, the Co-Directors are expected to engage in long-term planning regarding external and internal funding opportunities that could benefit the unit.

Profile of the ideal Candidate

While the bulk of the leadership of the Centre falls to the Lead Co-Director, and while the majority of the daily administration of the Centre is the responsibility of the Coordinator and Community Facilitator, the second Co-Director will ideally be able to demonstrate:

  • A history of involvement with, and commitment to, COHDS;
  • The capacity to provide strategic direction and leadership;
  • Knowledge and expertise in relevant research and research-creation methodologies;
  • Interest and active participation in transdisciplinary research and partnerships, and / or community-engaged practices;
  • Their ability to work with, understand the role of, and where necessary guide COHDS staff.

The second Co-Director is automatically a member of the Administrative Board and as such is expected to attend regular Board meetings (approximately two per term). In addition, s.he will on occasion step in for the Lead Co-Director when s.he is unavailable (for example, if a meeting scheduled by the higher administration conflicts with the Lead Co-Director’s teaching responsibilities, or when a request for a letter of support is made when the Lead Co-Director is on a research trip). The second Co-Director’s input and advice will be sought on regular reporting documents, primarily the annual report (which is submitted in August), and new initiatives (such as curriculum or partnership proposals), but it is not their responsibility to lead in either case. In consultation with the Lead Co-Director, the second Co-Director may volunteer to lead certain dossiers (such as planning a lecture or workshop at COHDS, which would be supported by COHDS staff), but as there is no workload reduction for the second Co-Director such dossiers would be limited.

Applications should be submitted by email to the Chair of the Search Committee, Dr Luis Sotelo Castro, luis.sotelo@concordia.ca, by January 24, 2022. The nomination package must include a cover letter explaining the nominee’s interest in, and previous experience relevant to, this role, as well as their most recent academic CV (free format). Self-nominations are very welcome.