CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Outreach Coordinator
Muslims in Canada Archives, British Columbia

at SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Due 15 AUGUST 2024

The SFU Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies (CCMS) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented graduate student or advanced undergraduate student to develop the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) project in British Columbia.

MiCA is a participatory archive that is uniquely designed to document and share the history, lives, and experiences of Muslims across Canada.

While the MiCA project started at the Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Toronto, the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies (CCMS) will lead the development of MiCA in BC, in coordination with and support from UofT.

As the Outreach Coordinator, the successful candidate will assist in building a roster of potential records donors interested in sharing materials with the Archives. This role will also assist in programming and initiatives related to Islamophobia, particularly working in close coordination with SFU’s Counsel on Islamophobia. Finally, the role will consist of acting as a liaison with community organizations that work on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism, such as the Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline, MARU, and others.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about history, archiving, and community engagement, with experience working with Muslim communities in British Columbia. This position will pay a wage of $25-$35 inclusive of benefits, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

Research and investigation

• Identify gaps in the historical record of Muslims in BC via the province’s memory institutions (local and provincial)
• Identify potential records donors, including individuals, organizations, and businesses, who may have materials relevant to our special collection.
• Conduct background research on potential records donors to understand their interests and past contributions and conduct interview in-person or remotely to understand the scope and extent of their records.
• Liase with community organizations in order to understand their own work, outreach, and archives.

Outreach and communication

• Implement outreach strategies to engage potential records donors, in coordination with the MiCA team at UofT and/or adapting existing materials for local stakeholders
• Draft and send emails, letters, and other communication to introduce the special collection and explain the records donation process.
• Follow up with potential records donors through phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings to discuss potential contributions, which may involve coordinating with the MiCA team at UofT.
• Liase with the Counsel on Islamophobia appointed at SFU.

Relationship building

• Build and maintain relationships with current and potential records donors, as well as memory institutions in BC
• Attend community events, meetings, and networking opportunities to promote the special collection and connect with potential records donors.
• Act as point person to different institutional relationships regarding organizations that do relevant work on Islamophobia across BC.

Record keeping and documentation

• Maintain an organized database of potential records donors, including contact information and details of communication.
• Document all outreach efforts and interactions with potential donors for future reference and reporting.

Collaboration and reporting

• Work closely with archivist and faculty to understand collection needs and priorities.
• Provide regular updates on outreach activities and progress to the project supervisor and with the MiCA team at UofT (when needed)

Required Qualifications       

• Currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program, preferably in library science, history, museum studies, public relations, anthropology, sociology, or a related field.
• Familiarity with local Muslim communities in British Columbia
• Cultural and religious competency in engaging with diverse Muslim communities in British Columbia
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse individuals and organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Passion for community engagement and preserving history.
• Previous experience in outreach or community engagement.
• Knowledge of archival practices and special collections.

Work Schedule

• Variable that can range from 5 to 15 hours per week, depending on activity periods
• Flexible schedule, with some evening and weekend hours as needed for events and meetings

Application Process

Send your resume and cover letter to ccms@sfu.ca by 15 August 2024.