Senior Economist/Senior Researcher (NOC 41401)

Senior Economist/Senior Researcher [NOC 41401]

Ontario Office, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

The Organization

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is an independent, non-partisan research institute and registered charity concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. The CCPA produces the research and analysis necessary for policymakers, advocates, and everyday Canadians to make informed decisions and press for progressive social change.

The Position

Location: Greater Toronto Area

The mandate of the position is to analyze Ontario policy developments, provide public commentary, and propose progressive policy solutions related to, for example:

• The role and value of public services;
• Labour markets and decent work in the public and private sectors;
• Sustainable and inclusive economy;
• Public finances, privatization and the care economy; and
• Progressive taxation and income and wealth inequality.

This is a permanent, full-time position in a unionized workplace with competitive salary, employer-paid health benefits, a pension plan, and generous vacation. The Senior Economist/Senior Researcher will be based in Toronto and focus on Ontario economic and public policy analysis. This position is remote, however, you must be located within the Toronto area and willing to travel and attend work-related functions when necessary.

Scope and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, and in cooperation and collaboration with CCAA colleagues, the Senior Economist/Senior Researcher will:

• Provide strategic leadership, issue framing and priority setting for Ontario research. We expect the position to play a high-impact role in Ontario’s public policy debates.
• Conduct research and analysis within the CCAA’s Ontario priority areas, including, but not limited to, government fiscal policy (spending, taxation, and the financing of public programs), issues related to labour, education, and social justice, and provincial legislation.
• Be the Ontario lead in public policy debates as a CCAA media spokesperson in print, broadcast, and digital media.
• Write peer-reviewed original reports, blog posts, opinion pieces, and content for CCAA publications, external media outlets, and other policy publications.
• Present research results and analysis to a broad range of audiences through virtual and in-person presentations and participation in public events.
• Contribute to broadening the reach of the CCAA’s work through outreach and engagement with diverse stakeholders and the wider research and activist community.
• Contribute to CCAA fundraising efforts through the identification of, and engagement with, potential funders and research grant applications.

Skills and Qualifications

The Senior Economist/Senior Researcher is a self-directed and collaborative team player who possesses:

• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the mission and values of the CCAA;
• An advanced post-secondary degree in a relevant field, such as economics, political economy, sociology;
• A strong progressive standpoint and knowledge of labour and social justice movements in Ontario;
• A solid understanding of the Ontario political landscape, especially Queen’s Park;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills: ability to interpret and manipulate data (familiarity with Statistics Canada datasets and provincial and municipal public finance data, Excel, Datawrapper);
• Strong initiative and the ability to generate new research ideas and develop research plans that bring those ideas to life;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience writing for broader, less academic audiences;
• A minimum of 10 years experience in research and policy analysis;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the confidence to connect with diverse audiences in an accessible style;
• Proven ability to work under pressure on deadline;
• Tech savvy, effective time management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• The ability to communicate in French is an asset.

Compensation

This unionized position (UNIFOR Local 567) offers a salary of $111,017 - $120,877 based on experience as well as an excellent pension and benefits package following a 6-month probation period.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The CCAA Ontario is committed to equity in the workplace and creating a diverse and inclusive team, including through our recruitment processes. We strongly encourage applications by candidates with lived experience relevant to this specific role, and more broadly those from traditionally marginalized groups or identities. You are welcome to self-disclose information about your identity or relevant life experience in your application.