Research Assistant

Deadline: April 15, 2024 (for Internal Applicants) and April 26, 2024 (for External Applicants)
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time
Posting Type: Internal/External 
Supervisor: Director, organizational Knowledge & Learning
Location: Access Alliance College Site (340 College Street, Toronto ON)
Short Description: 

Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services (AAMHCS) is a Community Health Centre that aims to provide services and addresses system inequities to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable immigrants, refugees, and their communities. The Centre envisions a future in which Toronto’s diverse communities achieve health with dignity.

The Research Assistant supports community-based research activities, planning, evaluation, quality management of the programs and services, and knowledge mobilization of projects/activities in accordance with the strategic directions of the agency; and supports building research and evaluation capacity in the agency. The Research Assistant functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary team working with staff, community members and external partners/collaborators to carry-out research-oriented initiatives that are consistent with health promotion strategies as outlined in the Ottawa Charter and Declaration of Alma Ata.

Detailed Description:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assist in the design, development, and implementation of research and evaluation activities (such as literature and policy reviews, collecting qualitative quantitative and qualitative data, analyzing and interpreting data, data visualization, etc.) as specified by the project goals
  • Support planning and evaluation activities in the organization and assist with building evidence-informed program planning and evaluation capacity among teams
  • Assist in quality improvement activities of the agency by supporting the activities of the Quality Improvement Committee(s) of the agency
  • Assist with operational aspects of research and evaluation activities including sustaining good partnerships and communications, developing effective recruitment strategies, ensuring ethical protocols, data security, data management, and knowledge dissemination
  • Assist with planning and organizing conferences, workshops, steering committee meetings, working groups, forums, and other events
  • Facilitate meetings and take minutes as required
  • Conduct outreach activities as required by the project(s)
  • Work in consultation with the research team to identify community-based research initiatives/priorities and ensure good communication between various stakeholders
  • Perform other duties of the department as advised by the supervisor
  • Participate in agency-wide activities as assigned

SKILLS, ABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

Minimum requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in health sciences, health promotion, social work or a combination of related professional experience and education
  • Minimum 3 years of demonstrated experience in community-based research, program planning, and evaluation
  • Experience in developing evidence-informed planning and conducting evaluation
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Excellent computer skills including word processing and data analysis programs (e.g. Excel, SPSS, etc.)
  • Excellent understanding of the social determinants of health and issues related to immigrants, newcomers, refugees, and vulnerable communities
  • Experience in working with diverse populations
  • Excellent interpersonal, time management, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Other requirements:

  • Experience with continuous quality improvement approach would be an asset
  • Intermediate skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods in research, evaluation, and program planning
  • Demonstrated flexibility and responsiveness to community needs
  • Understanding of the principles of community-based research and community development
  • Ability to work within an anti-oppressive/racist framework
  • Commitment to working with low-income, multi-lingual and multi-racial communities
  • Experience with data quality improvement activities will be an asset

Salary: $50,471 to $60,810 per annum

Hours: Full time/35 hours weekly

Duration: Permanent

Bargaining Unit position: United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 175

Classification: Community Health Worker

Start Date: June 10, 2024

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