Researcher - Burnaby, Canada - Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC)

Description

Researcher (IV)

As an applied Researcher at SPARC BC, you will leverage advanced specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in population health, evaluation, health economics, urban and community planning, and/or other applied research fields relevant to SPARC BC's work with people and communities.

This Researcher role requires comfort and experience designing and leading community-based, social policy research and evaluation initiatives as a recognized professional in their field of social policy research.

This role also requires expert level project management skills and experience to lead research, planning, and consulting projects, while expertly engaging and fostering partnerships with key communities, organizations, and individuals.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct advanced applied research projects utilizing both primary and secondary data (quantitative and/or qualitative)
• Review and synthesize peerreviewed research and government reports and policies, often with a quick turn around
• Develop reports, guidelines/best practices, needs assessments, conference posters/presentations, and journal articles that leverage research evidence and information
• Work collaboratively with team members, government representatives, community partners as well as other researchers, in BC and beyond
• Identify funding opportunities and develop competitive proposals
• Monitor existing and emerging social policy and health equity issues in the wake of structural and societal changes and develop scopes of work for applied research and analysis
• Advise key internal and external stakeholders as a content expert on key social policy and health equity issues
• Mentor and guide the work of Project Coordinators and Research Interns on a project basis

Skills

• Expert ability to lead ethically sound, communitybased, independent investigations (including leading research teams) as well as collaborate effectively in larger team initiatives
• Expert understanding of scientific research processes, including ability to carry out quantitative and qualitative tool development, data collection, data cleaning and preparation, and analysis (including familiarity with software packages, such as SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, etc.), from study conception to reporting
• Expert project management skills (i.e., time management and prioritization skills), including ability to work on a variety of projects simultaneously and balance priorities under tight timelines
• Expert written and verbal communication skills (ability to report complex research findings in clear, simple language for a wide range of audiences, including synthesizing key findings and pertinent viewpoints)
• Strong ability to systematically and rapidly review and synthesize research and grey literature
• Strong ability to develop and maintain relationships with academic partners, government agencies, civil society organizations, and community members with lived/living experiences
• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead multidisciplinary teams
• Proactive, dedicated team member with demonstrated ability to show initiative
• Detailoriented with a strong commitment to high quality work
• Knowledge and understanding of the social determinants of health and/or various health equity topics
• Training and/or experience in program evaluation processes

Education and Experience

• A Master's Degree in a relevant field of applied research (e.g., public health, health economics, social planning, community development, public policy, etc.) with a minimum of eight years of employment in a related research or analytical role. (A PhD in an applied field would be considered a significant asset alongside relevant employment experience)
• Extensive project development and management experience, including complex research, planning and/or social policy initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in research stakeholder engagement and management
• Experienced in lay audience writing and verbal communication, group facilitation, public education, and community engagement
• Demonstrated experience and success in grant proposal development is an asset

The annual salary for this position is between $74,017 - $81,576 commensurate with skills and experience.
SPARC BC also offers an excellent benefits package.

The Researcher IV position is part of the BCGEU bargaining unit.

SPARC BC is committed to attracting and retaining staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our organization strives to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
If you are an applicant who requires accessibility accommodation, please feel encouraged to apply.

SPARC BC also acknowledges that our office is located on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Halkomelem) and Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh (Squamish) speaking peoples.

They have been custodians of this land for thousands of years and we would like to pay our respect to the Elde