Project Coordinator - Vancouver, Canada - The University of British Columbia

Description

Job Summary

The Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is a collaborative research and knowledge mobilization centre that cares about improving child well-being. We are an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and affiliates dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children, youth, and their families and promoting equity from the start. Having established itself as a well-respected and internationally renowned research centre for over 20 years, HELP maintains strong relationships with school districts and other key partners in community and in the health, social service, and municipal sectors. These relationships have allowed the centre to make an impact at multiple levels, ranging from government policy and investment to regional and community development and service planning, to local school district programs and initiatives. Working at HELP is an opportunity to be involved in data collection and research, as well as community partnerships and engagement. HELP offers hybrid working arrangements, a beautiful campus environment, not to mention a friendly and collegial atmosphere with opportunities to work collaboratively with a number of teams on projects. HELP is grateful to work from the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

This position will coordinate key project deliverables of the Human Development Program of Research in specific relation to the Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CHEQ), Early Development Instrument (EDI), and Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) research projects, and future research projects. The purpose of the CHEQ, EDI and MDI research projects is to facilitate greater understanding of the experiences, developmental health, well-being, and assets of children through population-based data collection and community mapping. The incumbent provides coordination and support for tasks related to implementation of the CHEQ, EDI, and MDI which are standardized child development research tools, and future related research projects.

Organizational Status
This position reports to the Core Projects Director and the Project Lead and ensures that data collection processes are smooth and good working relationships are maintained with external school and community partners. The incumbent will interact closely with HELP's Knowledge to Action, Data Management and Analysis, and e-Systems & Reporting teams. The incumbent collaborates with HELP's Leadership team and Faculty; as well as students and staff at HELP.

Work Performed

Research Administration Functions

• Ensure appropriate agreements are in place with participating school districts, independent and Indigenous schools: coordinate distribution of agreements, monitor receipt of signed agreements, track and record of all agreements completed.
• Participate in planning and preparation for data collection.
• Engages with school districts and schools as they collect data.
• Attends meetings to define strategy, goals and scope of project and follows up on action items.
• Organizes and administers training and engagement webinars.
• Contributes to regular, annual project ethics reviews and updates.
• Participate in regular HELP meetings related to research and operations.

Data Collection Functions

• Advise and respond to issues and questions related to the implementation of each project, raised by schools and school districts.
• Monitor and ensure confidentiality throughout the data collection process.
• Work with the Project Leads to prepare recruitment information and materials for school districts, independent and Indigenous schools.
• Test, analyze and monitor electronic data collection systems for efficiency, data security, and data accuracy.
• Manage the participation and report status of school districts to ensure deadlines are met and projects are on track.
• Support liaison with teachers and school personnel, providing advice and direction for the capture of data.
• Works with Senior Manager – Indigenous Initiatives on Indigenous school participation and engagement
• Support the annual evaluation and reporting of projects.
• Oversees project webpages and advises Knowledge-to-Action Team if updates are needed.

Communication and Community Engagement Functions

• Provide support to HELP's teams in the development and quality control of all current and emerging reports.
• Work together with the e-Systems & Reporting team and give advice in preparation, editing and dissemination of school level data reports and community summaries.
• Assist with knowledge mobilization activities for HELP's research, including support for creation of presentation slides for regional/school workshops, seminars, and conferences and technical support for training webinars.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
HELP's continued funding base from the Ministries of Children & Family Development, Health, and Education and Child Care is dependent on our ability to comply with key deliverables regarding research. This position plays a key role in effectively gathering data using the CHEQ, EDI, and MDI, and makes professional decisions and recommendations for data collection. Errors or incorrect work or decisions as a result of incompleteness, missed deadlines, lack of attention to details etc., will lead to confusion, lost opportunities and a poor impression of HELP and the University, as well as loss of reputation for the HELP leadership.

Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the Core Projects Director and the Project Lead and works closely with members of HELP's Core Projects team. The incumbent liaises closely with HELP's Leadership, Faculty and other Project Leads.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in social sciences, public health or education preferred. Master's degree an asset. Two years of related experience in project coordination in a research environment an asset. Proven ability to work successfully with a wide range of groups and individuals, including community groups, researchers, the public sector and multiple levels of government.

Strong preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated organizational skills - ability to oversee work processes.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and build consensus among a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-motivation and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Must be highly organized with the ability to prioritize assignments; proven multi-tasking skills, including ability to work effectively under pressure, handle heavy volumes and meet demanding deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail necessary.
• Excellent writing skills.
• The position requires a thorough knowledge of the university policies and procedures, good judgment and the ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience with standard computer software applications
  • Intermediate Word
  • Intermediate Excel
  • Intermediate PowerPoint
  • Outlook
• Knowledge and understanding of early child development theories and research and a balance of creative, technical, and social/interpersonal skills an asset.