Lead Humanitarian Research Specialist

Title: Lead Humanitarian Research Specialist

Employee Working Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Canada)

Employment Status: Permanent Full-time

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) - an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada's Best Employers 2026 , we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Lead Research Specialist is responsible for the development and integration of complex research initiatives within Enablement. Working in alignment with organizational priorities and the broader external environment, they generate humanitarian research findings, analysis, and evidence to inform and influence strategic decision-making internally and externally. Through deep research and collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders, they produce actionable and sharable products-such as briefs, research reports, evidence-based insights and strategic recommendations-that support the organization's demonstration of expertise, service delivery, advocacy efforts, and long-term planning.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership by developing, integrating, and implementing research approaches that align with organizational priorities and external policy environments.
• Act as a technical advisor to senior leadership on a range of issues, offering expert analysis, evidence-based insights, information synthesis, and strategic recommendations.
• Support Service Lines in integration of research findings into organizational programs, services, and initiatives to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices and stakeholder expectations.
• Develop informed content, reports, guidance materials, and resources that support internal decision-making and external engagement.
• Design and implement planning processes and methodologies, which may include procedural requirements for service delivery, advocacy, or regulatory compliance.
• Conduct and oversee research, literature reviews, policy and legislative scans, and impact assessments within area of accountability to inform the development and refinement of organizational positions.
• Prepare high-level briefings, reports, documents, and presentations for senior leadership and external partners.
• Lead internal and external research and knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives to enhance organizational profile and recognized expertise.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, partner organizations, and relevant communities to advance shared objectives.
• Ensure that diverse perspectives and considerations-such as equity, accessibility, and community impact-are embedded in development, design, and decision-making processes.
• Participate in related coordination structures, working groups, and advisory forums at the local, national, or international level.
• Leverage experience within operational teams to integrate real world experience and examples into research approaches and findings.
• Publish research based and expert reports and other materials on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross.
• Collaborate with internal teams and research counterparts to ensure coherence, alignment, and responsiveness across initiatives.

What we are looking for:

• Qualifications include a minimum of 8-12 years of related experience and relevant advanced university degree (including a master's degree and/or PhD) in a field relevant to disaster and humanitarian work, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires relevant expertise within the research and analysis domain area.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex research files and advising senior executives.
• Proven experience working with diverse communities or in areas requiring cultural competency and inclusive practices.
• Strong understanding of research methodologies and evidence-based practices.
• Ability to identify complex problems, conduct deep analysis in unfamiliar areas, predict outcomes, and develop innovative, collaborative solutions by balancing technical inputs with strategic objectives.
• Communication and influencing skills to synthesize diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives and find mutually beneficial solutions, often in sensitive or complex situations.
• Exceptional writing skills to develop a wide range of knowledge products for internal and external audiences, including senior leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management capabilities.
• Fluency in English is required; French is an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Work will be conducted in an office-like setting.
• May require travel to safe locations.
• Requires significant attention to detail and concentration and ability to mentally process large amounts of information.
• Ability to adapt to frequent and often urgent changes in priorities, and make decisions under pressure, work at an unpredictable pace.
• Work requires the ability to work to multiple, conflicting deadlines.
• In a large-scale emergency, you may be asked to support emergency operational needs.
• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, clients/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).