Community Engagement Associate

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Hourly – Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title
Community Engagement Associate

Department
Gender and Sexual Health Equity Research Program Division of Social Medicine Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$23.24 – $27.70 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date
November 2, 2022

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Oct 26, 2023

Job Description
Job Description

The SHAWNA project is a community-based research project focused on the experiences of cis and trans women living with HIV in accessing and navigating care, housing, social and legal supports. The project is committed to ‘GIPA/MEPA’ principles of greater and meaningful involvement and engagement of people living with HIV. 

Working with the SHAWNA cohort project and supervised by the Project Coordinator and PI, and reporting to the PI, the Community Engagement Associate operates as a member of a multidisciplinary, collaborative research team.  The Community Engagement Associate builds and maintains relationships with community and research partners and facilitates knowledge generation and translation activities (e.g., presentations, community and research meetings, policy reports, newsletters, research papers, arts-based and digital research).

Organizational Status

Located in Vancouver, BC, CGSHE is a UBC/SFU academic research centre housed at Providence Health Care (PHC) (www.cgshe.ca). The CGSHE has a strategic mandate of community-based research, policy and practice to reduce gender and sexual health inequities in BC, Canada and globally. The CGSHE currently consists of over 100 staff, including academic and clinical researchers, graduate students, and frontline research staff.  We work in a highly collaborative team and strive to hire members from diverse backgrounds and lived experience.

Work Performed

1. Builds and maintains community relationships with community-based organizations by identifying and arranging knowledge exchange activities to ensure that research findings reach community and other knowledge users (e.g., policy, academic). 

2. Assists in the development, planning and organizing of peer- and community-based knowledge exchange activities including presentations about research findings, newsletters, research reports, as well as research-related products and activities (e.g., abstracts, presentations, journal articles), etc. where needed.

3. Plans and prepares for relevant community meetings, events, and presentations including:

a.      Preparing an agenda and sending the agenda out to PI for feedback if required.

b.      Coordinating with various staff to prepare meeting materials.

c.       Distributes relevant minutes after meetings.

4. Provides updates on newsworthy items, requests for materials to be created or printed for knowledge exchange.

5. Contributes to the development of, prepares and/or presents knowledge exchange materials (e.g., newsletters, reports, research papers) that are tailored to a variety of audiences (e.g., community, service providers, researchers).

6. Works with PIs and Coordinators to provide leadership for community advisory board meetings.

7. Provides leadership in the planning, development and facilitation of Positive Women’s Advisory Board meetings.

8. Provides leadership in the planning, development and facilitation of other advisory meetings/groups (e.g., Positive Advisory Working Groups).

9. Engages and builds networks with community stakeholders to promote the study

10. Supports the development and implementation of innovative approaches to knowledge generation and translation (e .g. web-based approaches and knowledge translation activities).

11. Conducts literature reviews, web searches and other information-gathering activities and assists in the development of proposals and associated documents.

12. Assists with training on media protocols as needed.

13. Performs other related duties as required.

The incumbent will work at the CGSHE in a designated, appropriate workspace at the CGSHE’s head offices located at 1190 Hornby St., and may also work from the CGSHE’s Downtown Eastside community office (647 E Hastings St). The incumbent will work from home when this is mutually agreed on between supervisor and incumbent. Travel to meetings may be required from time to time.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position entails a high level of confidentiality and discretion. Errors could result in significant concerns regarding the liability, credibility, and integrity of the Centre. Work may involve simple techniques and methods requiring knowledge and/or procedures that are readily acquired, requiring little judgment; the nature of work is routine and clearly defined; all problems are referred to supervisor.

Supervision Received

Works under direct supervision in accordance with detailed oral or written instructions; routine duties are carried out under general supervision. Reports to the Principal Investigator.

Supervision Given

None but may explain work sequences to others.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Two years recent related experience and training in community-oriented research or service provision.

• Understanding of community services and community supports and/or lived experience is an asset for this role.

• Gender and social equity knowledge including experience working with marginalized populations (e.g., sex workers, women living with HIV, women who use drugs, Indigenous women, migrants and/or gender and sexual minority populations).

Skills and Abilities

• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.

• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including conflict management / crisis resolution skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, while taking supervision and direction from coordinators.

• Strong knowledge of community services related to sexual health and HIV.

• Excellent time management skills.

• Organized with meticulous attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrates professional judgment when supporting participants and referring to appropriate services.

• Knowledge and skills to work with diverse community collaborators, service providers and other stakeholders.

• Flexibility in day and early evening hours to support knowledge exchange activities.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.