Research Assistant

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.

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

Please be advised that our organization requires all staff, students, and volunteers to be fully vaccinated. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination can be obtained from the Ministry site.

Access Alliance offers comprehensive group benefits coverage, annual vacation entitlement, cumulative sick leave entitlement, and employee assistance programs. Access Alliance is a HOOPP employer. 

With “Research Assistant” in the subject heading please send your resume and cover letter by April 15, 2024 (for Internal Applicants) and April 26, 2024 at 11:59 pm (for External Applicants), to:

        by E-mail:            jobs@accessalliance.ca  

        by Regular Mail:  Hiring Committee, Research Assistant                                

                                    Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services

                                    340 College Street, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3A9

No phone calls, please

AAMHCS is a community-based organization that operates from a pro-choice, anti-oppression, and participatory framework.  In your cover letter, we invite you to articulate why you wish to work with Access Alliance, and in what ways did you wish to put your skills, experience, and education into action for this role and for Access Alliance at this time. Knowledge of the neighbourhoods we serve and how agency values would be integrated in your day-to-day work may be interview questions.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  Please note that a criminal background check and Vulnerable sector check will be conducted for this position as a condition of employment.

We are committed to a workforce reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from those who provide different perspective and contribute to diverse ideas including those from racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

AAMHCS is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.