November 8, 2022
Knowledge Exchange Business Partner Opportunity
Full-Time Term Position
About the Canadian Agri-Food Automation & Intelligence Network
CAAIN is a not-for-profit company funded principally by the Government of Canada to support the research, development, and adoption of emerging knowledge and technology necessary to drive the sustainable growth of Canada’s agriculture economy. It does this by:
- Providing a platform that connects diverse agri-food and technology stakeholders. The resulting community leverages new relationships, knowledge, and technology into potential business growth or viable projects benefitting the stakeholders and their fellow Canadians;
- Fostering an environment that supports the creation of robotics-, automation-, and data-related solutions to the major opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s agri-food industry, allowing this vitally important economic sector to build on its standing as a global leader; and,
- Cultivating the relationships necessary to grow a nationwide network of smart farms that validate, demonstrate, and facilitate the Canadian agricultural community’s adoption of, emerging knowledge and technology.
About the Opportunity
CAAIN is seeking an exceptional Knowledge Exchange Business Partner. If you’re the right fit, you will report to the CEO and be responsible for supporting the achievement of the goals outlined in CAAIN’s Business Plan, Network Strategy, and Sustainability Plan. More specifically, this position:
- Stays abreast of, and understands, industry challenges and how emerging technology can support advancement of Canada’s agri-food sector
- Supports CAAIN environmental scanning efforts;
- Works with CAAIN’s Communications and Marketing Manager to ensure messaging and external relations efforts are aligned and accurately represent the organization
- Functions as a key CAAIN contact with industry and industry groups
- Aids with promotion of CAAIN by ensuring information about CAAIN’s programs and activities reach appropriate audiences
- Develops relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and client groups within Canada’s agri-food and technology sectors and promotes opportunities for collaboration between companies, industry organizations, academia, government, and research institutions
- Identifies early adopters, generally leads supports knowledge exchange for CAAIN and assists Project Leads with extension of CAAIN funded project discoveries
This role is the lead for knowledge exchange at CAAIN and is influential in creating awareness of, and growing, CAAIN’s brand, network membership, and programs, resulting in meaningful connections within the agri-food and related technology sectors across Canada. Measuring impact of CAAIN initiatives and programs is a function of this position.
Key Responsibilities
Environmental Scanning (10%)
- Develop and maintain a systematic approach to identify emerging technologies from around the world that could be applied by the Canadian agriculture sector
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify issues, opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions
- Develop briefing notes or alternative formats for sharing information gained through environmental scanning activities, for the CAAIN Board, CEO, and staff that outline the discoveries and their significance to Canada
Knowledge Exchange and Broker (30%)
- Identify and work with early adopters within Canada’s agri-food sector
- Use leading edge “extension” methodologies to move knowledge and technology to industry to maximize it’s use
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of agri-food and technology industry stakeholders to support effective knowledge exchange
- Recommend funding program options at CAAIN and within Canada
- Create, plan and coordinate knowledge exchange events to assist CAAIN Project Leads in ensuring that industry understands the economic, social, and environmental potential of CAAIN project outcomes
- Lead or assist in organizing emerging technology knowledge exchange events such as webinars, conferences, and workshops, and/or partner with other organizations focused on accelerating adoption of diverse agri-food technologies
- Maintain a database similar to a Client Relationship Management application of key CAAIN contacts/stakeholders
- Maintain a database of Canadian and, to some extent, international events relevant to CAAIN’s business and develops recommendations on CAAIN representation
Grow the CAAIN Member Network and Smart Farm Networks (30%)
- Foster national, regional, and local connections between government, academics, and industry to promote CAAIN’s programs
- Grow agri-food stakeholder membership in the CAAIN network and facilitate relationship-building among industry, academia, researchers, associations, all levels of government, and related stakeholders
- Add to CAAIN value proposition for network members by:
- Maintaining comprehensive data and intellectual property catalogues that contain high level descriptions of data and IP developed through CAAIN support. Ensure catalogues are maintained and follow best practices
- Building and maintaining directories of key stakeholder groups within the Canadian agriculture and related technology sectors that function as a resource for members
- Developing and initiating additional elements such as webinars, workshops and conferences that create value for members
- Support activities of the Canadian Network of Smart Farms in their efforts to validate emerging technology, facilitate economic assessment of discoveries; demonstrate the benefits to agribusiness early adopters; and support educational initiatives by coordinating events
- Liaise with smart farms networks and the overarching CAAIN smart farm network to support development and implementation of best practices, communication and encourage consistency in approach
- Liaise with smart farms networks and the overarching CAAIN smart farm network to facilitate data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results
Communications and Marketing (20%)
- Working with the Communications Manager, assist with duties that include, but are not limited to:
- internal and external communications
- social media
- website content management
- general writing and editing, including success story development
- development of promotional materials
- advise on graphic- related assets
- hosting events and tour support
- general advertising, marketing, and promotional services
- Lead and/or coordinate production of events
- Lead or collaborate with others to produce CAAIN-centred events such as CAAIN’s Annual General Meeting
Participate as a Team Member in the Development and Execution of CAAIN Activities (10%)
- Participate in overarching CAAIN activities to support the development and execution of the CAAIN Strategic and Business Plans as well as other activities that lead to the success of the CAAIN
- Assist with the collection, analysis and presentation of data related to key performance indicators and measures of CAAIN impact
- Provides advice and recommendations to the CEO and the CAAIN team on emerging technology as well as the growth and sustainability of CAAIN
Key Qualifications
Education
Required
- Undergraduate degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, or a related knowledge exchange discipline
Preferred
- MSc in agriculture, agriculture economics, or a related discipline
Experience
Required
- 5-to-8 years experience working in agriculture or agtech sectors; evidence of a broad network within Canada’s agriculture community
Preferred
- Knowledge exchange, effective communication, networking, marketing, branding, and event-planning experience
- Experience working with government
- Basic understanding of principles of data collection and analysis
Skills and Abilities
- Ability to build partnerships and manage key strategic stakeholder relationships, generating respect and trust from a diverse group of external stakeholders
- Knowledge of the agri-food sector including emerging trends, research, and industry practices.
- Knowledge of advancements in agriculture related technology and ability to communicate complex technical information to a lay audience
- Exceptional written, verbal and listening communication skills
- Business planning and performance measurement experience
- Experience in project management and event planning
- Strategic problem solving and decision-making skills
- Coaching, customer service and change management skills
- Equally comfortable working in a team and independently
- Exceptional organizational skills, ability to juggle competing priorities and evolving situations
- High level of competency utilizing Microsoft Office suite of applications, especially MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as other software relevant to CAAIN
Why CAAIN?
If you are a skilled knowledge transfer professional and an exceptional team player, CAAIN offers a flexible, stimulating work environment. We provide our employees the chance to work on projects that will expand their skill sets while allowing them to witness the tangible impacts of their efforts. We value personal and professional development, and afford staff members opportunities to acquire the skills they feel will advance their careers. Finally, we enjoy a hybrid work week with ample free parking for those days we are in our South Edmonton offices.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance. This competition will remain open until a suitable applicant is found.
CAAIN is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.
To Apply
Please submit your detailed resume and cover letter through our Indeed posting by clicking here.
