Behavioural competencies for Researcher: Partnering

Seeking and building internal/external alliances, collaborations and services with or for clients to advance NRC business relationships, as well as knowledge, innovation and economic development.

Level 1

Operates effectively within partnerships

  • Communicates openly, builds trust and treats partners/clients fairly, ethically and as valued allies.
  • Meets partner/client needs by responding to requests efficiently and effectively.

Level 2

Manages existing partnerships

  • Manages existing partner/ client relations within established agreements/ contracts.
  • Monitors partnership/client arrangements to ensure that the objectives of the partnership remain on target.
  • Recognizes when adjustments to partnering/client arrangements may be required for the benefit of NRC and/or the partner.
  • Negotiates adjustments to partnership/client arrangements, as required.
  • Identifies benefits for partner/client and looks for ways to add value to partner/client.
  • Develops creative and innovative ways of meeting partner/client needs.

Level 3

Seeks out partnership opportunities

  • Identifies and creates opportunities to form client/partner arrangements through networking, participating in multi-stakeholder groups etc.
  • Initiates partnership/client arrangements and alliances that promote organizational objectives.
  • Assesses the scientific or economic value of entering into partner/client relationships in terms of both short- and long-term return on investment.
  • Participates in negotiating new partnerships / alliances / client relationships that are mutually beneficial to NRC as well as to the Canadian S&T and business communities.
  • Coaches partner/clients and researchers on how to develop proposals and work plans to develop and commercialize products.
  • Finds the "flexibility within the rules" to eliminate obstacles to partner/client arrangements.

Level 4

Facilitates partnerships

  • Encourages and coaches colleagues and/or peers for effective partnering and client service.
  • Supports colleagues in taking calculated risks in partner/client relationships.
  • Provides advice and direction on the types of partner/client relationships to pursue as well as ground rules for effective partner/client relationships.
  • Intervenes, as necessary, to address issues or resolve problems surrounding partner/client relationships.
  • Communicates achievements and lessons learned from different partner/client arrangements (i.e. to promote ongoing improvement).