Senior Research & Policy Associate

• Great opportunity to use your social sciences research experience in a challenging role! 
• Don't miss this opportunity to see your work have a real-world impact!
• Enjoy a competitive remuneration package, PLUS a great host of benefits!

PolicyWise is a charitable, non-profit corporation established in 2003 to support the development of effective policies, programs, and services to benefit the well-being of children, families, and communities. We have a reputation for collaboration, inclusion, and broad stakeholder engagement approaches and strategies.

Our research and policy team has an in-depth understanding of the domains of well-being, the child and youth serving sector, provincial and local service delivery contexts, and the application of knowledge across these sectors and systems.

Our Vision 
Children, youth, and families thrive in respectful, safe, and supportive environments shaped by wise decisions.

Our Mission 
To inform, identify, and promote effective social policy and practice to improve the well-being of children & youth, families, and communities.

For more information about our work, please visit our website:  www.policywise.com

PolicyWise currently has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research & Policy Associate to join our team on a full-time basis in either Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta. This is a full-time, permanent position with a 6-month probationary period.

Reporting to a Research & Policy Manager, you will contribute to ongoing research and evaluation projects conducted by PolicyWise. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in developing professional training resources for Early Childhood Educators, facilitating training, and community engagement.

PolicyWise is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and recognizes that those ideals are embedded in governance and organizational performance. As an essential element of their culture, PolicyWise welcomes the unique contributions that candidates can bring in terms of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, and encourages applications that represent the diversity of the community they serve.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading high-level, complex projects, including functional supervision of colleagues on projects
• Facilitating interaction and collaboration between and within researchers, policymakers, and practitioners
• Applying advanced methodologies and analytical skills
• Providing innovative methodological approaches and applying these to policy-relevant work
• Drafting methods in light of project question and context (themes and implications)
• Establishing the value of relevant data types to inform policy
• Identifying implications and analysis with a focus on audience and context
• Building connections and understanding across projects
• Identifying, planning, and creating content for knowledge mobilization activities and products. Knowledge mobilization activities may include letters, policy briefs, and presentations in both plain language and academic style for a diverse audience such as community, practice, and government
• Creating strategic alignment across systems and leveraging opportunities
• Building and maintaining good relationships with partners and team members

In order to qualify for this role, you will have a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a health- or social science-related discipline (e.g., social social psychology, public health, social work) with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience.

You must also have a good understanding of research and evaluation processes and methods, knowledge mobilization, and of research ethics, along with specialized experience and understanding of policy practice areas related to child, family, and community well-being.

You will also possess:

• Strong foundation in strategic and systems thinking
• An excellent ability to work collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Understanding policy and practice issues within relevant areas
• Experience solving complex problems using critical thinking
• Strong analytic abilities and sound judgment
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, along with strong listening and interpretive skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and cross-functional teams
• General computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Nvivo)
• Proficient in facilitation
• Design skills, along with experience in social media content creation and strategy (asset)

Preference will be given to candidates located in Calgary or those with the ability to travel to Southern Alberta.

In exchange for your hard work and dedication, you will receive a highly competitive annual salary plus a great host of benefits, including:

• Up to $200 monthly reimbursement for parking or transit
• $500 allowance to set up home office at the start of hire
• Hybrid work environment (50% in office, 50% at home over 10 working days)
• 50% employer-paid extended medical, dental, and vision benefits (after 3 months)
• Paid vacation starting at 3 weeks/year
• Holiday break during Christmas and New Year on top of vacation time

After the 6-month probationary period, you will also receive the following:

• Group RRSP matching program
• Health & Wellness account – up to $1,200
• Education account – up to $500
• 5 days professional development (with approval from supervisor)
• 10 days special leave (with approval from supervisor)

And that's not all! You will be welcomed into a supportive and highly collaborative environment. If you think you've got the skills to take on this rewarding and challenging role, apply today! We ask that all candidates include a cover letter.

Please note that the closing date of this role will be the 21st of March 2023.

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