Project Manager & Researcher

Project Manager & Researcher: Cross-Appointment Position between DAWN Canada and CRIAW-ICREF

DAWN Canada (Disabled Women's Network of Canada) and the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) are seeking a highly motivated Project Manager & Researcher to lead the implementation of a multi-year national research project, Framing the Framework , funded by Accessibility Standards Canada. The position will play a central role in advancing intersectional approaches to accessibility standards, federal programs, services, and funding systems.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced researcher and project leader who is passionate about disability justice, gender equality, intersectionality, and systems change.

• Employment Type: Full-Time (37.5 hours/week)
• Salary: $60,000 to $70,000 per year (depending on experience)
• Location: Hybrid
  • Minimum 2 days per week at CRIAW's Ottawa office
  • Remaining days worked remotely
• Term: This is a full-time term contract position for one year from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension. The project is expected to end in March 2029.
• Reports to: CRIAW-ICREF and DAWN Canada
• Start Date: November 2026

About the Project

Framing the Framework is a national research initiative examining how intersectional analysis is applied within federal programs, services, funding systems, consultation processes, and accountability frameworks, and how this influences accessibility for women and gender-diverse people with disabilities. The project is being conducted in partnership with DAWN Canada and CRIAW.

The research will include literature reviews, interviews, community engagement, systems analysis, knowledge mobilization activities, and the development of evidence-informed recommendations to support more inclusive accessibility standards.

About the Organizations

About DAWN Canada

DAWN Canada (Disabled Women's Network of Canada) is a national feminist disability organization that advances the rights, inclusion, and equality of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities. DAWN Canada works to address the unique barriers faced by women at the intersections of disability, gender, race, Indigeneity, poverty, and other forms of marginalization through research, advocacy, policy development, education, and community engagement. The organization works to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are reflected in legislation, programs, services, and decision-making processes.

About CRIAW-ICREF

The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) is a national not-for-profit feminist organization focused on researching and documenting women’s social and economic position in Canada using an intersectional feminist lens. The organization uses feminist, intersectional, and participatory approaches to conduct research, mobilize collective knowledge, and advance women’s rights. CRIAW’s activities flow from an overarching goal to provide tools and information to help organizations take action to advance social justice and equality for all women. CRIAW works with feminist researchers and activists, community organizations, and policy makers across Canada to address systemic inequalities and promote systemic change.

Working Together

This position represents a unique cross-appointment between DAWN Canada and CRIAW, bringing together expertise in disability justice, intersectional feminism, public policy, and community-based research. The successful candidate will work closely with both organizations, helping to strengthen collaboration and contribute to a national research initiative that aims to advance inclusive and intersectional approaches to accessibility standards, public programs, services, and funding systems. The position will also involve collaboration with a broad network of disability, feminist, Indigenous, academic, government, and community partners across Canada.

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful systems of change while working alongside two nationally recognized organizations committed to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice.

Position Summary

The Project manager & Researcher will be responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, and delivery of the project. The successful candidate will lead research activities, manage project timelines and partnerships, coordinate participant engagement, supervise project deliverables, and ensure the successful completion of all reporting requirements.

This role requires someone who can balance strong research skills with excellent project management and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Lead the development of recommendations and promising practices.
• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s research framework.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and environmental scans.
• Develop interview guides, data collection tools, consent processes, and accessibility protocols.
• Lead qualitative research activities, including interviews and engagement sessions.
• Analyze findings using intersectional, feminist, disability justice, and equity-based frameworks.
• Prepare research reports, technical papers, knowledge products, and plain-language summaries.

Project Management

• Develop and maintain project work plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project activities across DAWN Canada, CRIAW, and project partners.
• Monitor project progress and ensure deadlines are met.
• Organize project meetings, workshops, consultations, and collaborative activities.
• Manage documentation, project records, and reporting requirements.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate engagement with disability organizations, feminist organizations, Indigenous partners, researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
• Recruit and coordinate key informants and participants.
• Support meaningful engagement with women and gender-diverse people with disabilities from diverse communities.
• Facilitate workshops, consultations, and knowledge-sharing events.
• Support workshop planning and facilitation at the DAWN Canada Policy and Learning Forum.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and accessible products.
• Help build and sustain a national network of partners and stakeholders.

Reporting & Administration

• Prepare interim and final project reports.
• Track project deliverables and outcomes.
• Support grant reporting and accountability requirements.
• Ensure all outputs meet accessibility and official language requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Undergraduate or master’s degree in social sciences, Gender Studies, Disability Studies, Public Policy, Sociology, Community Development, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading academic and/or community-based research projects and managing complex initiatives.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including interviews, coding, thematic analysis, and report writing.
• Experience applying intersectional, feminist, disability justice, anti-racist, and/or GBA Plus frameworks.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including timelines, stakeholder coordination, and deliverables management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with clear language writing and analysis for different audiences.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, consultations, and collaborative discussions.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Assets

• Experience in a not-for-profit organization.
• Experience working with disability communities.
• Experience working with Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, and/or gender-diverse communities.
• Knowledge of federal accessibility legislation, policy, programs, or standards development.
• Experience managing multi-partner or multi-year funded projects.
• Bilingualism (English and French).

What We Are Looking For

• The ideal candidate will:
• Be passionate about advancing accessibility, gender equality and social justice.
• Have a strong understanding of intersectionality and systems change.
• Be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Value community engagement and participatory research approaches.
• Bring a commitment to accessibility, equity, inclusion, and meaningful partnership.

Equity and Accessibility

DAWN Canada and CRIAW are committed to employment equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from women, gender-diverse people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, newcomers, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and individuals with diverse lived experiences.

Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process upon request.

Deadline: October 28 2026