Associate Director, Data Repository

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

The opportunity:
The Associate Director of the Manitoba Population Health Research Data Repository (Repository), at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP), bears the primary responsibility for the management, expansion, operation, ongoing maintenance, access to and use of the Repository. As a member of the MCHP Executive Team, the incumbent assists the Director of MCHP in the strategic planning, budgeting and management activities for the entire research centre. Specifically the incumbent directs: the analysis of information processing requirements and integration of these requirements into a unified systems design; the development, testing and implementation of new or enhanced systems; and the various operations required to effectively utilize new and existing information processing systems to maintain and expand a research Repository which currently includes over 200 million computerised health, education and social database records, dating back to 1970, linkable at an individual level across sectors within a privacy secure environment.

The incumbent works with external partners, such as Manitoba Health and others, in linkage, de-identification processes, and secure data transfer. The incumbent also directs the secure and appropriate access, use and disclosure of the Repository data requested for all research projects (314 as at December 4, 2023). The incumbent directs the detailed documentation required for each discrete dataset (97 as at December 4, 2023) ensuring that this documentation is in a research friendly format and available via the web. The incumbent will oversee the development and implementation of a new novel approach to storing and accessing Repository data to provide researchers outside of MCHP (and Manitoba) with access to the Repository within a privacy secure environment.

The incumbent participates in the evaluation and analysis of computer equipment, forecasting the future resource requirements, budget and personnel planning and administration, coordination of IT and technical staff training, the ongoing development and implementation of privacy compliant standards, policies, and procedures for the acquisition of new data as well as access and use the data. The incumbent is the liaison with similar organizations across Canada and represents MCHP on provincial and national committees and working groups.

The incumbent represents Manitoba in the work of the Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada), a Pan-Canadian initiative to enable research across provinces using administrative data in provincial Repositories. Some specific activities that the incumbent will be responsible for as part of HDRN Canada include the development of common data models and information pivot points to facilitate distributed/federated analytics, improving metadata and bibliographies about data and their limitations, addressing indigenous sovereignty ownership and use of data about Indigenous Peoples, working with privacy officers from across Canada to develop pan-Canadian privacy frameworks to govern the use of routinely collected data, and addressing the inequities within the data.

Over the next five years the incumbent will lead innovations in data management and use, focusing on ensuring that policies and procedures related to access and use of the information housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository adhere to legislative frameworks for ethics, privacy and within data sharing agreements while meeting key strategic priorities: (i) ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty is followed, (ii) support the application of data equity frameworks is applied to the management, curation and use of the Repository, (iii) position the Repository to be used in multi-regional research, (iv) apply a client-focused approach to enhance users’ experiences when applying for access and use of the information housed in the Repository.

The qualifications and experience we’re looking for:

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:
• A Master’s degree in a related discipline (e.g., Information Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics) is required.
• A PhD in a related discipline is preferred.
• Graduate studies in advanced database management, advanced information science, data mining, artificial intelligence or natural language processing is required.
• Professional training in Management/Leadership is required.

EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience managing multi-disciplinary teams is required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience – post graduate degree – in a related field is required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in developing/applying data governance frameworks, including Indigenous Data Sovereignty, OCAP, FAIR, Five Safes, EGAP, etc. is required.
• A minimum 10 years’ experience in the development and implementation of computer systems for the management, control, access, and use of large, complex data repositories is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ expert experience in designing and implementing a population research data repository containing susceptible data is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ expert experience with innovating and implementing new processes and procedures and managing staff through change required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience supervising and managing IT staff responsible for computer networking and server development

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Expert management, interpersonal and supervisory skill including the ability to develop and manage budgets and timelines is required.
• Expert experience in information science, database management; systems design, testing and evaluation is required.
• Proficient in techniques for Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and AI.
• Capable of effectively handling several concurrent tasks.
• Ability to connect with clients, listen to their needs and manage their expectations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of administration, provincial and national organizations, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as a team leader.

OTHER JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Certification in Management/ Leadership preferred.
Why the University of Manitoba?
Along with being one of Manitoba’s top employers, we are proud to provide a collaborative and enriching work environment. In addition to a strong compensation package with a competitive salary, the University provides an exceptional workplace that includes:
• Comprehensive group benefits and pension plan.
• Competitive vacation time.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• A full spectrum of professional development opportunities.

Apply today through the University of Manitoba’s recruitment site, UM Careers: https://viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca/DEFAULT.ASPX?REQ_ID=32200

Closing Date: April 25, 2024

Applications will only be accepted if you apply on UM Careers.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is committed to the social justice principles of equity, access & participation and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, Black, racially marginalized communities, disabled persons and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, access and participation, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). The University acknowledges the potential impact that Career Interruptions and Personal Circumstances can have on an applicant’s record of research achievement. Measures will be taken to ensure that these leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the evaluation process.

We encourage you to self-identity aspects of your identity that position you to bring currently under-represented viewpoints, expertise and forms of excellence to this role.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.

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