Research and Policy Analyst

Position Profile: Research and Policy Analyst
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 public, private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the health and safety of people living in Canada. An NGO with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.

Acknowledgement

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

About the Position

The Research and Policy Analyst use their foundational research training and experience to conduct substance use and addiction-related research projects working closely with senior researchers and with guidance/support from their supervisor. The RPA I leads the key steps in research studies including contributing to ethics applications, writing literature and evidence reviews and research reports, and conducting data collection and analyses. The RPA I prepares presentations and other means of promoting research results. The RPA I uses effective time management and organizational skills to complete projects in a timely manner, and to balance involvement in multiple concurrent projects. The RPA I works independently as well as collaboratively with other researchers and staff from other divisions at CCSA. 

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Research 

• Plans, leads, and conducts research projects applying the appropriate research methods, data collection and analytical techniques with some supervision
• Collects and verifies data following protocols determined by the project lead.
• Extracts data from a variety of sources such as literature, databases, data inventories etc. for both primary studies as well as research knowledge syntheses
• Performs quantitative and/or qualitative data analyses
• Conducts or identifies existing research knowledge syntheses to inform policy and practice using knowledge of critical appraisal and analysis methods
• Contributes to identifying data needs and sources for agreements with external organizations or government bodies to obtain access to data
• Demonstrates some understanding of sex, gender, equity, diversity and inclusion (SGBA+) principles and analysis in research studies.
• Writes research reports in a range of formats (evidence summary, drug summaries, technical reports, etc.)
• Contributes to research ethics applications
• Scans literature and credible information sources to keep up to date in their project topic areas

Communication 

• Writes to a strong scientific standard with a high level of English literacy.
• Writes content and develops materials for presentations, webinars, workshops, etc.
• Writes material for CCSA expert committee packages, working groups and partner meetings and may attend meetings as an observer to gain an understanding of the stakeholder priority issues.
• Presents at conferences and other opportunities for presentations related to their project subject matter
• Communicates and interacts professionally with CCSA staff across all divisions, as well as external partners.

 Outreach and Networking 

• Identifies events related to project topic areas to determine opportunities for networking and presenting research results
• Develops rationale for presenting research results to stakeholder groups
• Identifies researchers who align with project topic areas to build a network of research contacts and defines their potential role with CCSA.

Project Management 

• Develops project plans determining scope, timelines, and budget of projects.
• Manages time and workload to meet milestone targets and complete projects to deadlines.
• Attends project meetings and staff meetings to keep updated, report on project timelines, and understand organizational factors that may influence projects.
• Works effectively with research team members and other divisions during the review and publication process to integrate feedback and navigate steps to publication in a timely manner.

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 PhD in the health sciences, social sciences, neuroscience, population health, epidemiology or area related to the substance use field
• Experience conducting research in the substance use field or a related area.
• Ability to apply fundamental research techniques, methods, and critical analysis in qualitative and/or quantitative research studies.
• Experience working with quantitative or qualitative software (e.g. SAS and/or SPSS, R, MAXQDA)
• Ability to perform knowledge syntheses and critically appraise and evaluate research
• Understanding of sex, gender, equity, diversity and inclusion (SGBA+) and the importance in research design and analysis
• Strong written and professional oral communications skills to discuss projects and present research results within CCSA and publicly
• Navigates peer and partner relationships to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to multitask and apply excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated and demonstrates attention to detail and desire for accuracy and self-improvement

Assets 

• Bilingual in English and French
• Basic knowledge of substance use and addiction theories and key influences such as stigma, trauma, gender, etc.
• Research work experience in substance use and addiction field

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.