Research Coordinator I MAP Homeless Research

Research Coordinator I

MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions is recruiting a Research Coordinator I to support a research program on homelessness, housing and health led by Dr. Stephen Hwang. Based at St. Michael’s Hospital, MAP is Canada’s largest research centre focused on health equity and the social determinants of health. MAP’s vision is a healthier future for all.

The Research Coordinator I will work closely with Dr. Hwang’s team to support new and ongoing evaluation research projects with a focus on interventions to address complex problems and improve health and social conditions for people who are unhoused. This role will contribute to project design and coordination, primary data collection and analysis, and knowledge translation and dissemination activities. The role will also support the MAP Community Expert Group, a collective of people with lived experience of homelessness providing guidance on research and advocacy. The Research Coordinator I will have experience in evaluation research, with a keen interest in continuous learning, system improvements and community engagement.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people in underrepresented communities are less likely to apply to jobs when they don’t meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we still welcome you to apply.

Duties & Responsibilities: Due to variable nature of position, this list is to be used as a guide only.

Evaluation Research Duties

Conduct literature searches and reviews including identifying, analyzing and synthesizing academic publications

Work closely with project team to develop and implement research plans and protocols

Screen, recruit and consent research participants and collect participant data through survey instruments and/or qualitative interviews and focus groups

Prepare and submit Research Ethics Board (REB) applications, amendments, approvals and staff updates

Travel to meet research participants for in-person interviews in the community, and conduct online or telephone interviews as required

Disburse honoraria to research participants and complete related administrative tasks, e.g., honoraria logs

Assist project team in data coding, analyses and interpretation, and development of project databases

Organize and participate in project team meetings, taking minutes and disseminating materials

Represent the project team at meetings to communicate updates as necessary

Work closely with project partners, including community agencies, funders, government and other groups

Prepare reports for project funders, and internal or external partners

Assist project team in the initiation of new evaluation research projects, including funding applications, contracts, budgets and hiring

Monitor budgets and timelines and work with project team to keep projects on track

Day-to-day project and staff guidance

Provide support to project team and learners through capacity building and coaching

Support team growth and encourage collaboration and team-focused approaches by participating in project-specific meetings and team meetings

Complete corporate and ethics training requirements, ensuring compliance of institutional policies and practices

Knowledge translation and dissemination

Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, posters, reports and other knowledge products

Prepare content to be shared on websites reporting on research and evaluation activities, outputs and outcomes

Present research findings to various groups, tailoring content for academic and non-academic audiences

Community engagement and support

Establish and maintain positive relationships and inclusive ways of working with community members, agency staff and research participants

Coordinate meetings and communications for the MAP Community Expert Group (CEG)

Support the CEG with identifying, developing and carrying out priority research projects

Guide CEG capacity building through trainings, workshops and presentations

Performs cross-functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.

All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety, and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:

Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies

Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards

Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures

Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and

incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (social sciences, social work, health sciences) and 2 years of relevant research experience, OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience. Master’s degree an asset

Experience in mixed-methods research, including i nterview and focus group guide development, interview and focus group facilitation, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and interpretation

Experience developing research ethics submissions, and designing protocols, participant recruitment strategies, consent forms and data collection materials

Experience and ability to work with diverse groups (people with lived/living experience of homelessness, community organizations, researchers, care providers, educators, institutions, funders and government)

Experience with evaluation theory, frameworks and methodologies

Knowledge of survey and data analysis software is an asset

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

Strong writing skills, with the ability to write for non-academic audiences

Outstanding interpersonal skills with an emphasis on being a team player and good conflict resolution skills

Knowledge of homelessness and social justice issues, particularly how homelessness affects health and social wellbeing

Awareness and commitment to diverse communities and priority populations

Empathy and ability to cope with emotionally difficult situations participants may be facing

Show cultural humility and safety through self-reflection and respectful engagement, and by acknowledging and working to address power imbalances, institutional discrimination, and the impact of colonial relationships as they apply in health and social systems

Demonstrated cultural competency through professional development, training and/or lived/living experience

Effective organizational and time management skills, including ability to multitask, set priorities and meet deadlines Able to work independently, think creatively and exercise good judgment in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team environment

Easily adaptable, able to trouble shoot and work independently

Able to exercise tact and discretion and maintain privacy and confidentiality

In-person work at St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and community sites is required a minimum of 3 days per week and will fluctuate based on project needs

TCPS CORE 2 is an asset (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)

Good clinical practice certificate is an asset (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)

RCR (Responsible conduct of Research) is an asset

Basic computer skills with Microsoft Office experience, and database software

Experience with video conferencing software (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

Familiarity with Project Management software (Monday.com, etc.)

Experience with a reference manager (Covidence, etc.)

Experience with survey software (REDCap, etc.)

Experience with qualitative analysis software (Dedoose, etc.)

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.