Community Education Development Association - Pathways to Education Program

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Researcher will ensure that the ongoing delivery of the Pathways to Education Program™ is effectively supported. While the quantitative analysis of data on student attainments will be done in conjunction with Pathways to Education Canada, this position will specifically focus on the collection and analysis of data to support local program improvement.

The position will ensure that appropriate research methods, indicators and tools are employed; and that data, both quantitative and qualitative, are integrated to provide advice on the effectiveness of the supports provided and improvements in the delivery of the supports. This position will ensure that reporting requirements are achieved and that research relationships are enhanced, particularly with Pathways to Education Canada.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

• To be responsible for the collection and analyses of data to examine the effectiveness and impact of the Pathways to Education Program and activities conducted by the Program; including but not limited to, data from students, parents, tutors, mentors, teachers, administrators and program partners involved in the delivery of the Pathways to Education Program, as appropriate;
• To develop tools and indicators appropriate to the community and to the project (this includes cultural sensitivity and an awareness of the particular socio-economic and related barriers faced by residents) and to the needs of funders and program partners;
• To collect and analyze the data collected with the goal of understanding the effectiveness of the program and its delivery, as well as means by which the program’s effectiveness might be improved;
• To prepare reports, under the direction of the Program Director, to be submitted to Pathways Canada, as appropriate;
• To participate as a member of the Pathways to Education Program Team;
• To attend all relevant internal and external meetings as defined by the Program Director;
• To prepare reports and materials within timeframes specified by funders and for other project requirements;
• Other program and support functions as defined by the Program Director;
  Specific Research Components include:
• Develop data collection instruments such as questionnaires, surveys, interview guides for focus groups and individual interviews (including students, parents, teachers, mentors and tutors) involved in the Pathways to Education program;
• Collect data through the administration of these instruments including conducting interviews, focus groups, and administering surveys;
• Analyze data using both quantitative and qualitative techniques to track, summarize and report student attainments and progress; and to understand and describe patterns among participants in the Program; including the participation and achievements of young people involved, and the perceptions of each group involved in the Program (e.g. students, parents, teachers, administrators, mentors, tutors, program partners, etc.);
• Draft reports incorporating the range of program data, identifying implications for program design and improvement;
• Ensure documentation of all data sets (i.e. database with information on students, as well as on volunteer tutors and mentors) is complete and current;
• Liaise with Director of Research and Evaluation (Pathways to Education Canada) regarding the sharing of data and integrate data on student achievement secured by Pathways Canada, as required by Pathways Canada;
• Ensure that all work is completed in a professional and timely manner.

Note: In all aspects of the research, the incumbent must be able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an awareness of the particular barriers faced by program participants.

Additional Responsibilities:

• working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk
• working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health
• incorporating and strengthening collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork
• respecting and valuing the diversity of communities and individuals
• contributing to the centre’s activities to collect, analyze and report on data and relevant information, and participate in research
• maintaining competence, and where applicable, a professional license to practice
• supporting the centre’s student and volunteer placement programs
• promoting awareness of and participation in centre activities
• contributing to the centre’s work by participating in meetings and committees
• working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the centre
• contributing to the centre’s practices of hiring, orienting and training of staff
• contributing to the centre’s efforts to secure and maximize resources for current and new programs, services and activities
• participating in the centre’s efforts to enhance its capacity through staff development.

Educational Background:

• Related post secondary degree or combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of three years’ experience, with demonstrated ability to carry out applied research;
• Knowledge of issues affecting the diverse populations of north end Winnipeg and the surrounding area, including general issues affecting low income communities;
• Knowledge of youth development programs and approaches, in particular, models and programs designed to enhance the academic success of secondary school students;
• Knowledge of research methodologies (focusing on action research), including knowledge gained through experience with the integration of quantitative and qualitative data, and in employing research to support program improvement.
• Progressively responsible experience demonstrating the ability to:
• Manage complex data sets and the ability to conduct basic statistical analyses using appropriate software, demonstrated by several years of progressive responsibility in conducting social science and/or educational research independently;
• Design research tools for eliciting the perceptions of participants (including students, volunteer tutors and mentors, parents and staff), and demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data using surveys, focus groups, and related means;
• Integrate and analyze the data collected, and, together with program staff, identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness of program delivery;
• Communicate complex material in an accessible manner to a variety of audiences, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, demonstrated through production of research results to a variety of audiences through, for example, a range of reports, articles, presentations, etc.;
• The ability to work effectively in a team setting, as well independently; demonstrated by the successful design, development, implementation, and completion, including reporting, of research.

Work Term/Conditions:

• This is a part time, term position
• Occasional travel to Pathways to Education Canada (Toronto)
• Flexible hours.

Application Process:

Please send resume and a cover letter specifying what position you are applying for by January 10, 2011 @ 4:30 pm to:

Email: kathy@cedawpg.org

Or mail or drop off

Pathways Search Committee
Community Education Development Association
509 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2W 2M6

CEDA is an employment equity employer and welcomes application from equity groups.