Knowledge Broker

Position Profile: Knowledge Broker
 
Position Status: Building Pool

About the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with organizations and diverse communities to improve the wellness of people living in Canada. A non-governmental organization with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.

Acknowledgement

CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, and we commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.

About the Position

The Knowledge Broker works collaboratively with other divisions in CCSA, draws on existing bodies of knowledge or evidence from research and other sources, and works with key stakeholders to provide tailored, evidence-informed guidance and practical tools to facilitate desired changes in practice, programs or policies. Through facilitating the collaborative efforts of stakeholders and partners, this role uses effective knowledge mobilization approaches to encourage the application of evidence in practice, program and policy development and implementation.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Lead or assist in the developing and implementing knowledge mobilization plans on assigned projects and initiatives
• Work closely with CCSA colleagues to identify partners and stakeholders across Canada, and ensure they have access to CCSA products and services to address their needs and issues
• Identify networks of stakeholders and partners that can both benefit from and contribute to the collective effort to reduce harms to and improve care for those affected by substance use and addiction
• Work with CCSA colleagues to interpret and summarize research findings to form the basis of knowledge mobilization plans, products, tools and activities to inform practice, policy and program development in the field of substance use
• Participate in environmental scans and needs assessments with stakeholders to identify issues and problems, readiness for change, and common goals and solutions
• Coordinate project work on assigned national priorities through applying principles of project planning and administration, and collaborating with colleagues, including by identifying deliverables, timelines, risks, budgeting and stakeholder engagement
• Participate in continuous learning and peer-to-peer learning opportunities with colleagues, partners and networks to advance knowledge and competency of effective knowledge mobilization practices in the substance use field
• Collaborate with colleagues to enhance the application of sex- and gender-based analysis + to research, product development and tool development
• Lead collaboration efforts with a variety of stakeholders to negotiate creative, practical and relevant approaches to knowledge mobilization for sustainable solutions and change

This position profile is designed to provide an overview of the main responsibilities for the role. Other responsibilities not identified in this position profile may be assigned based on the person’s experience and operational requirements.

Qualifications

• Masters or doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., science, arts and humanities, health administration, adult education)
• Three to five years of related experience
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder groups (e.g., health professionals, the public, healthcare managers and other decision makers, private industry)
• Understanding of aspects of knowledge mobilization (e.g., generation, synthesis, product development, knowledge translation and exchange, dissemination, management, evaluation)
• Ability to interpret and identify key results from health and other research, and to summarize research findings in plain language (presentations and writing)
• Familiarity with stakeholder engagement, consultation and related data collection through a variety of mechanisms, including surveys, focus groups and social media
• Ability to develop or inform the development of knowledge mobilization products, such as toolkits, learning modules, lay and research publications, and policy briefs, using feedback from knowledge users
• Ability to develop understanding of system-wide issues (i.e., a “systems thinker”)
• Strong analytical skills; process- and results-oriented
• Strong organizational skills; experience multitasking and managing multiple priorities with competing deadlines
• Enthusiastic and high-energy team player
• Strong focus on critical thinking and strategic problem resolution
• Excellent communication skills

Assets 

• Knowledge of sex- and gender-based analysis
• Experience working with Indigenous communities
• Bilingual English–French

CCSA Values

CCSA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and all equity-deserving groups are fully represented, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities and people who members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

CCSA is dedicated to learning from and supporting people with lived and living experience of substance use health. We encourage people with lived and living experience of substance use to apply to join the CCSA team.

CCSA promotes the rights of all people with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its related Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. CCSA will make appropriate accommodations on request. Please inform CCSA in advance of a request for accommodation during the recruitment process by email.

If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resumé. The CCSA office is in Ottawa. Please note that we are in the process of building a pool of candidates for future openings, allowing us to move quickly when opportunities arise. Once a position becomes available, we will contact you directly, if your application meets the requirements for the role.