Call for Applications: Knowledge Connector

— interConnect: Developing collective digital intelligence in the broad visual and media arts sector

Application deadline: January 9, 2023
Anticipated start date: January 26, 2023
Conditions: Fixed-term contract, $13,200+taxes
(estimated at 44 weeks, 10hr/week, 30$/hr)
Type of work: Remote

Us [About IMAA]

The Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) is a member-driven non-profit national organization working to advance and strengthen the media arts community in Canada. Representing over 100 independent film, video, audio, and new media production, distribution, and exhibition organizations in all parts of the country, the IMAA serves over 16,000 independent media artists and cultural workers.

We [The Project]

Project Overview

interConnect is an initiative that aims to strengthen the digital practices of Canada’s visual and media arts sector. The project has two components:

1. Research: Study and document past digital transformation projects.

2. Co-learning cohorts: Organize communities of practice around digital issues.

The learnings and resources developed during this initiative will be disseminated in a knowledge base.

Context

interConnect comes from feedback among arts organizations that suggests that the Digital Strategy Fund’s (DSF) fundamental goals have yet to be fully met. While much important knowledge is being generated thanks to the Fund, the dissemination & concrete application of its results remain incomplete and unevenly distributed.

Within the fields of visual arts, media arts, digital arts & contemporary craft, the majority of organizations and artists have yet to benefit substantially from this work. A relatively limited number of media and other types of arts organizations across Canada are undergoing digital transformations and enhancing their effectiveness & sustainability in their respective communities. If these successes could be more widely shared, these transformative impacts would be amplified across the Canadian arts sector.

Preliminary project timeline

January 2023: Entry into position

February 2023: Establishment of cohort structure

March to April 2023: Selection of cohort participants

May to October 2023: Co-learning with cohorts

November 2023 to January 2024: End of the project

Thank you for your interest. Due to volume, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

You [The Knowledge Connector]

Mandate

In collaboration with the IMAA Project Team, the two Knowledge Connectors hired will be responsible for supporting the co-learning component of the project and will be the custodians of knowledge. You will ensure that the discoveries, ideas and learnings of the project are captured and used by the community.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will work closely with the facilitators and the research team to support the cohorts. You will also be responsible for the knowledge base.

Responsibilities

Cohort establishment: You will structure the operation of the project.

Participate in the design of the objectives and operation of the cohorts;
Oversee intellectual property issues;
Develop and implement collaborative work and knowledge documentation tools;
Advise on the establishment of the repository of previous projects.

Cohort activation: You will be the knowledge hub.

Monitor and contribute to the knowledge publishing process;
Ensure communication between the cohorts and the research team;
Assist in the search for external expertise (people, documents, projects).

Post-cohort: You will ensure the legacy of the project.

Close the project and ensure knowledge transfer;
Participate in the evaluation of the project, measure its impacts and make recommendations.

Skills and Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

Have significant experience in a relevant field (Knowledge Mobilization, Knowledge Documentation, Community of Practice, Library or Archival Science);
Have a very good knowledge of collaborative work tools;
Be fluent in French and English and have excellent writing skills in one of these two languages.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

An excellent ability to synthesize, organize and simplify;
Rigour, curiosity, and good listening skills;
Ability to work in a self-directed manner, in a team and in a network;
Leadership and diplomacy.

Assets

Knowledge of the use of digital technology in the arts, culture or media;
First-hand understanding of the needs and realities of non-profit employers in the arts and culture sector;
Experience working within anti-oppression and equity frameworks;
Knowledge of the independent visual and media arts sector in Canada.

Conditions

Self-employment
Fixed-term contract, $13,200+taxes (estimated at 44 weeks, 10hr/week, 30$/hr)
Remote work. You can live anywhere in Canada.
Must be able to secure one’s own workplace, computer and internet access. *This is negotiable.

How To Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter with the following elements:

Your interest and qualifications for the role, please mention your experience relevant to the position and your relationship to the independent arts.
If applicable, a description of your company or team.
A brief note on your language skills.

All proposals should be sent to the attention of Benjamin J. Allard at proj@imaa.ca by JANUARY 9, 2023. Applications should be submitted in either English or French with the subject line “Application, Knowledge Connector – [your name]”.

IMAA is strongly committed to correcting historical employment inequities in the sector it serves and is working proactively to centre diversity within the organization. We welcome all applications from women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Access supports will be made available to applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process. Any personal information shared as a part of your application will be kept strictly confidential. Applications will only be shared with the hiring committee, and will be deleted from IMAA’s private cloud storage once the Knowledge Connector position is filled.

If you have any questions or access needs regarding the submission of an application, please contact (in French or English) Benjamin J. Allard (il/him) at proj@imaa.ca.