Position: Project Researcher‐ Localizing Canada’s Commitment to the Sustainable
Development Goals
Program: Social Action
Contract: Temporary, full‐time; 35 hours per week until December 2023
Location   128A Sterling Rd or from a safe, home‐ based office as required
Salary: Under review
Application Deadline: Open until filled  
File Number: SA #17‐21 with cover letter and resume
E‐Mail: hrdep@familyservicetoronto.org
Mail: HR, 355 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 0B2
Web: familyservicetoronto.org

The Opportunity 
We are looking for a Project Researcher who is experienced in community‐based research methods and principles to implement the research component of this exciting new project.  Working closely with the project team, national advisory committee members and
diverse communities from across the country, the successful incumbent will be responsible for data gathering and analysis through the following activities: environmental scan, policy map, literature review, key informant interviews and community conversations.  

The Project 
Researcher will be responsible for facilitating these community conversations with diverse people living in poverty who are affected by policy decisions but who are often left out of decision‐making processes.  The Project Researcher will be responsible for using the data gathered to inform the development of a call to action plan that makes the SDGs meaningful and accessible to communities across Canada and an accountability framework that highlights the inter‐relationship of poverty‐related SDGs through an intersectional gender‐based analysis.

This position reports to the Director, Social Action/National Coordinator, Campaign 2000 and will be a member of FST’s Social Action team.  The position will work remotely and on‐site as required. Hours of work may be irregular and involve evenings and weekends. Travel will be required.

Who You Are 
This is a new role for a new project and as such you take initiative while valuing collaboration and feedback.  You have strong interpersonal relations and respect, which will enable you to create ‘brave spaces’ when facilitating community conversations and interviews with people directly affected by poverty.  Your technical expertise as well as your personal, professional and behavioural integrity will allow you to build rapport and establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy resource to all project stakeholders.  You are a creative problem‐solver and decision‐maker, which allows you to go beyond the conventional.  You pay attention to detail
and are a strong communicator.  You are someone who has a strong sense of justice and a commitment to equity and inclusion, which may have been developed through your own personal lived experience.   

Key Qualifications: 

• Degree in Public Policy, Social Work, Adult Education, Political Science, Women’s / Gender Studies or a related field. Foreign credentials and relevant experience will be considered
• Minimum five years of related experiences, with three years of community‐based, participatory research experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methodologies  Experience coordinating and conducting research activities, including designing research tools, carrying out interviews and focus groups and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
• Proficient Microsoft Office applications, online survey platforms (such as Survey Monkey, Google Forms) and research software (such as SPSS, MAXQDA, Descript)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for a range of audiences, including writing high quality reports and research pieces, ability to translate findings into plain language, and dynamic presentation skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with diverse participants, team members and community partners
• Knowledge of federal, provincial and municipal government social and economic policy, jurisdiction, and experience with government relations an asset
• Ability to work in and apply intersecting frameworks relevant to the project: strengths‐ based, feminist, anti‐colonial, anti‐racist, anti‐oppression, etc.
• Experience with advocacy and activism on policy issues
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to self‐direct and carry out tasks independently
• Ability to work effectively in an environment that is frequently ambiguous
• Ability to manage a demanding workload by determining priorities, planning ahead, anticipating problems, identifying solutions and meeting deadlines
• Current criminal record check/vulnerable sector check
• Spoken languages other than English considered an asset

We are committed to developing a diverse and talented project team. First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, and People of Colour, people with disabilities, people of diverse gender expression and people with lived experience of poverty are encouraged to apply. In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and FST’s Equity and Inclusion policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. We thank all applicants and will contact the individuals selected for an interview.   No phone calls please.