Cybera launches call for a municipalities representative to join its Board of Directors

Cybera is seeking applications for a community-minded volunteer to join its Board of Directors.?

This position will help guide Alberta's research and education network organization as it works to connect Albertans to the world, and enable and advocate for better shared services and improved cybersecurity through the use of digital technology.?

Cybera is globally recognized as an agency of innovation, and we are seeking a smart, adventurous, and curious individual with experience in an Alberta municipality (or municipal support organization). This board director will help us evolve our infrastructure, programs and services to best meet the digital needs of Alberta’s research, education, and public sector organizations. This could include someone with a unique understanding of the technology challenges experienced within rural and remote Alberta.

Given our placement at the crossroads of government, education, and industry, Cybera is in a unique position to support the digital needs and evolution of Alberta’s public and education sectors. This is your opportunity to support the province to become a more equitable place to work, learn, and innovate!

About the Board position

Cybera is governed by an independent Board of Directors that meets four times a year. Made up of individuals from education, municipal government, and industry, the Cybera board is tasked with providing strategic direction — as well as financial and policy oversight — for the organization. Volunteer directors bring a variety of skills and experience to the board, and their backgrounds ensure Cybera’s programs and services anticipate and effectively address the evolving needs of its member community. Directors are elected for three-year terms, and all directors serve on at least one standing committee of the board. Terms may renew one time, for a total possible commitment of six years.

Candidates should be willing to represent Cybera in the community and use their influence to help achieve the organization’s long-term goals.

Candidates for this position must be available to attend quarterly board meetings (in person or virtually), quarterly committee conference calls (in person or virtually), as well as attend the annual Cyber Summit in Banff. They must also dedicate a few hours per quarter to meeting preparation.

Candidates for the board will be prioritized if they offer one (or more) of the following qualifications:

Experience in municipalities

• This includes individuals who have worked as a senior administrator for a village, town, city, or county, or someone who has worked within an organization that supports municipalities (e.g. Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, Municipal Information Systems Association, or a Regional Innovation Network).
• This experience would ideally include understanding the systems, strategic investments, and risks that may affect a public organization’s decision-making processes related to technology advancement.

Experience in not-for-profit organizational governance

• This includes experience with governance practices and processes, and the ability ensure proper deliberations, insight, and guidance at the strategic and policy levels

Other nice-to-have skills and experience

• Ability to understand the inherent risks for not-for-profit organizations, and experience with integrating the management of those risks into an organization’s planning, decision-making, and reporting mechanisms
• Experience with, and knowledge of, digital infrastructure, including network and cloud infrastructures, and cybersecurity
• Experience with, and/or knowledge of, human resources and talent management
• Experience in organizational change management

Cybera is a Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion employer partner, and is committed to diverse representation on its board to represent its member community, including diversity of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, business experience, functional expertise, personal skills, and geographic location. Board members also share common value characteristics such as personal integrity, good judgment, high ethics and standards, and outstanding ability in their individual fields of expertise.

Interested individuals may apply to Riley Merchant [[email protected]] by May 31, 2024. This posting will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found. Your application must include a cover letter and CV/resume demonstrating how your skill set matches the position’s requirements. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered.

While we appreciate all applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Final candidates will be reviewed and approved by the Cybera Board before being submitted for election by the Cybera Members at the Annual General Meeting on September 24, 2024.