Research Coordinator

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). 

This position has an end date of March 31, 2024 and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location: This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person and work primarily located at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department/Faculty Summary

The Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, Families and Communities – (CUP) is a unique collaboration among the University of Alberta, community agencies, and organizations in and around Edmonton and across Alberta. We are committed to improving the development of children, youth, families, and communities by creating or mobilizing evidence-informed knowledge that impacts programs, practices, and policies. CUP has a 20-year history of collaborative community-based research experience. CUP is led by a steering committee comprised of over 25 leaders from municipal and provincial government, not-for-profit agencies, school boards, and foundations.

EndPovertyEdmonton (EPE) is a community initiative working towards prosperity for all through advancing reconciliation, the elimination of racism, livable incomes, affordable housing, accessible and affordable transit, affordable and quality childcare, and access to mental health services and addiction supports. EPE aims to change the conversation on poverty and ensure every Edmontonian has the opportunity to thrive.

EPE in partnership with CUP is conducting research for the “inclusive economy” and “indigenization” game changers. An inclusive economy strategy is generally understood as a multi-faceted policy agenda intended to address the causes of income inequality and distribute economic opportunities and benefits equitably. The livable income game changer has four areas of focus: employment and training; social procurement and community benefits agreement (including Indigenous social procurement); living wage; and basic income. “Indigenization”, at its core, involves Indigenous people reclaiming their spiritual connection to the land and the reclamation of Indigenous values in the systems. Indigenization efforts must be led by Indigenous Ceremonial Keepers, Indigenous peoples, and Leadership. The research partnership aims to both synthesize existing knowledge and create new knowledge.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Coordinator will support primary and secondary research efforts, using a community-based participatory approach, along with a knowledge mobilization focus aimed to support EPE’s advocacy efforts. These tasks will draw on quantitative, mixed methods, and qualitative research methodologies.

Duties

Research Coordination

• Monitors work plan activities, and deliverables, in collaboration with PI to ensure project deliverables are met in a timely, cost-efficient manner
• Ensures overall research work identified by the PI is carried out in an effective manner. Assesses and communicates project resource requirements and proactively anticipates project issues and develop strategies for resolution
• Reports on project milestone progress and completion to the PI
• Develops data collection tools and assists the project team with data collection. Establishes and maintains appropriate procedures and protocols for data collection and information management, and oversees completeness and accuracy of data entry/analysis completed by the Research assistants and students
• Conduct analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data using appropriate software and techniques (e.g., SPSS, NVivo)
• Translates technical and/or analytical results into useful information for community partners
• Organizes and participates in team meetings (5-8 people), documents and reports on progress
• Collaborates with team members on the implementation of the research process between the community and the university
• Researches application guidelines and processes for grants, awards and other funding sources and ensures compliance with those guidelines and policies
• Supports grant writing application activities including writing content and coordinating expert contributions under the direction of the Associate Director
• Drafts budgets and budget justifications for successful grant applications
• Contributes to ethics applications by editing, and formatting. Submits and maintains ethics approvals as required and updates as necessary
• Develops strategy for and conducts literature reviews and environmental scans as it relates to current or new projects
• Travels for meetings related to research activities in the community

Communication and Knowledge Mobilization

• Initiates and coordinates meetings to communicate the progress and outcomes of the projects with community partners
• Connects with partners from community organizations
• Supports opportunities for collaboration with community members in conducting research; liaising between the project team and the community
• Prepares knowledge translation and dissemination products including research posters, PowerPoint presentations, abstracts and research reports
• Assists with communications to internal and external stakeholders; may liaise with community leaders and members
• Prepares written progress and final reports for community partners and funders
• Participates in scholarly activities such as: preparation of publications and presentations at national and provincial scientific conferences, and at other academic and community settings

Minimum Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree and significant experience in a discipline related to multidimensional poverty, inequality, and social development (e.g. Sociology Education, Anthropology, Human Ecology, Nursing, Psychology, Public Health, Community Development/Planning). 
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and timelines. The incumbent must be able to prioritize and manage the diverse workload to meet the high demands of the job, be highly organized, and have the ability to work within tight deadlines in a challenging environment.
• Strong research design skills, analytical skills, and flexibility to meet the needs of the Unit.
• Prior experience using variety of knowledge mobilization strategies to engage formal and informal stakeholders (with government officials, business and community leaders) to advance systemic and policy change on complex issues.
• Profound understanding of the concept of “multidimensional poverty” including the economic, social and cultural dimensions of it as demonstrated through significant prior work experience, course work, and/or research training.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations
• Understanding of settler colonialism, reconciliation, anti-racism and multiculturalism. Demonstrated experience of working with ethnocultural and/or Indigenous communities will be an asset.
• Understanding, appreciation, and experience with community-based participatory research
• Knowledge of qualitative, mixed method and quantitative research.
• Skills in appropriate use and interpretation of statistical techniques (descriptive and multivariate) will be an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and one or more statistical software (SPSS, SAS)
• Demonstrated active and reflexive thinking including an appreciation for complexity and diversity with an understanding of differences and similarities among cultural groups
• Ability to work independently as well as with others on a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field
• 3-5 years previous research and research administrative experience preferred
• Experience in collaborative, interdisciplinary or intersectoral project work; the ability to communicate with individuals from a variety of organizations and backgrounds

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.