CANVAS: Project Coordinator – Volunteer

Position Title: CANVAS Project Coordinator

Location: National Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience (NC-CIPSeR), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON (Remote opportunities available)

Position Type: Volunteer/Full-Time / Contract

Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension

Project Overview

At NC-CIPSeR, we are at the forefront of pioneering a safer future for Canada’s critical infrastructure through the creation of the Canadian Vulnerability Assessment System (CANVAS). This groundbreaking initiative aims to develop a Canadian-specific dataset dedicated to identifying and researching threats, risks, and hazards to our nation’s critical infrastructure. Our mission is to forge strong partnerships and collaborations across sectors to build, integrate and share, a comprehensive dataset, thereby revolutionizing threat and risk assessments and emergency management planning across Canada. Scientific-driven information, analysis and insights fuel simple, accessible, knowledge-translation for critical infrastructure stakeholders.

Why It Matters

In an era marked by increasingly complex and interconnected threats—from climate change to cyber-attacks—a collaborative and localized approach to threat assessment and emergency management is crucial. CANVAS is designed to significantly enhance understanding, precision, relevance, and efficacy of risk assessments, empowering informed decision-making, elevating national security, and ensuring alignment with Canadian standards and regulations.

Job Description

As the CANVAS Project Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in steering this national security endeavor. Your leadership and innovative approach will drive the strategic direction of CANVAS, engaging with Canadian municipalities, government agencies, academic and research institutions, and industry innovators to build a dynamic and impactful dataset.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the CANVAS project, ensuring alignment with NC-CIPSeR’s objectives and Canadian national security goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engage and foster strong relationships with key stakeholders across sectors, including municipalities, government agencies, academia, and industry, to gather and integrate data into the CANVAS dataset.
• Project Management: Oversee all aspects of project planning, execution, and monitoring, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project goals and budgets.
• Research and Analysis: Coordinate research efforts and analyze data to identify trends, threats, and opportunities within the dataset, contributing to the development of innovative threat assessment and emergency management strategies.
• Collaboration and Innovation: Work closely with industry innovators and academic partners to facilitate product testing and research, pushing the boundaries of traditional threat assessment methodologies.
• Reporting and Communication: Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for NC-CIPSeR leadership and stakeholders, highlighting project progress, insights, and recommendations.

Qualifications

• Experience: Proven experience in project coordination, preferably within the fields of national security, critical infrastructure protection, or emergency management.
• Leadership: Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and research skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in presenting complex information to various audiences.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to evolving project needs and navigate the complexities of multi-sectoral collaboration.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree or experience in a relevant field such as Security Studies, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or related disciplines.

Steps to the Application Process

Joining NC-CIPSeR is a structured and supportive process designed to set you up for success. From your initial application through to orientation and project assignment, each step is intentional—ensuring you understand our mission, meet foundational requirements, and are fully prepared to contribute meaningfully. Once completed, you’ll be matched with a mentor and begin your journey on a project that aligns with your skills and interests. This process helps us maintain a high standard of engagement, professionalism, and impact across everything we do.

• Application
• References check
• Privacy & Confidentiality, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy and Guidelines
• AODA training (online and free)
• Workplace training (online and free)
• Volunteer Agreement – tailored and signed (only after all other admin has been completed)
• Volunteer Orientation
• Mentor Assigned and Project Assigned

To Apply

To get started, please complete our application form through the NC-CIPSeR Application Portal. You’ll be asked to answer a few brief questions, upload your CV, provide reference details, and share why you’re interested in working with us. This helps us get to know you and understand how your skills and interests align with our mission.

About Carleton University

Located in Ottawa, Carleton is an innovative teaching and research institution with a tradition of leading change. Internationally recognized academics, staff, and researchers engage more than 31,000 students in over 100 programs of study. Carleton has long been known for promoting research excellence and connectedness and is involved in partnerships around the globe. With strong leadership, it enjoys a healthy financial position and our proximity to government and cultural institutions, media, and a thriving knowledge economy make Carleton and Ottawa a great place to work, learn, and live. Our picturesque campus is fully accessible and, along with award-winning student services, Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities has been heralded as the gold standard for disability support services in Canada. Learn more about our university and the city of Ottawa at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/.

Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to: women and gender equity-seeking groups; racialized individuals; Indigenous Peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation and/or expression. Furthermore, Carleton understands that career paths vary and interruptions will not prejudice the assessment process. We invite you to review our revitalized Indigenous strategy, Kinàmàgawin at https://carleton.ca/indigenousinitiatives/cu_file/kinamagawin/ and visit our Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at http://carleton.ca/equity for information about our commitment to leadership in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Accessibility is a university strategic priority and applicants selected for an interview who require accommodations are invited to contact us as soon as possible to ensure that appropriate arrangements may be made.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.

Application Deadline:

We accept applications on a rolling basis to accommodate the availability of our volunteers.

This volunteer and mentorship opportunity not only allows you to contribute to vital national security efforts but also offers a platform to influence and shape the future leaders of critical infrastructure protection. Join us in our commitment to safeguarding Canada’s critical infrastructure.

Join Us

This is more than a job opportunity; it’s a chance to contribute to a safer, more resilient Canada. By joining the CANVAS project, you’ll be at the heart of a national endeavor to protect and secure our critical infrastructure against the threats of tomorrow. Your work will empower informed decision-making, drive innovation, and shape the future of how we assess and think about the most pressing threats and hazards.