Indigenous Health Research Coordinator

Competition 1640

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of one year plus a day and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page.

Location - This role is in person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton, but may require some travel to Maskwacîs and other Indigenous communities in Treaty 6 territory.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Women & Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) and the Department of Pediatrics

This position is part of the Indigenous Children’s Health Program (ICHP); a five-year initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of Indigenous children and their families in the community of Maskwacîs and beyond. This program is supported by the Women & Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) and the Department of Pediatrics within the University of Alberta; and is a response to the pressing need for targeted program development and research to address health disparities among Indigenous children, recognizing the importance of culturally informed and community-centered approaches.

Position 

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (Dr. Grant Bruno: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics; WCHRI Academic Lead for Indigenous Child Health) and the WCHRI Research Associate, the Indigenous Health Research Coordinator (IHRC) is responsible for providing coordination for Indigenous children's health research programs, such as Ispimihk Awasisak (Sky Children).

The IHRC will be responsible for supporting the Principal Investigator in all aspects of research program development, including identifying funding opportunities, proposal development, research project planning, research project financial management and reporting, coordination of research deliverables, community partner engagement and support with research activities (including policy reviews, environmental scans, technical reports, knowledge translation products, and prepare submit and maintain research ethics applications). 

This position will work in collaboration with other WCHRI staff involved with community-led Indigenous health research, including the Community Research Coordinator and Indigenous Caregivers Collective Care Navigator. 

Duties 

• The IHRC will coordinate the day-to-day activities of Indigenous child health research projects led by the Principal Investigator. Monitor and track finances, milestones and project deliverables. Participate in finalizing research plans with the Principal Investigator and research team members. Support Indigenous-specific activities within WCHRI. Support the hiring/onboarding and management of graduate research assistants, graduate students and summer students. 
• Assist with the preparation and submission of research grant applications (e.g., drafting applications, seeking letters of support from knowledge users, community partners and collaborators). Assist with the preparation of ethics applications and renewals.  
• Contribute to the conduct of research studies specific to Indigenous Child Health. This may include knowledge syntheses, policy analysis (e.g., document review), engagement with community partners and others. Design data collection protocols related to research and knowledge syntheses. Conduct data collection, which may include the use of surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Follow cultural protocols for respectful engagement with Elders and Knowledge Holders and participation in sacred ceremonies (e.g., providing honorarium and gifts). 
• Summarize key findings and prepare research summaries, policy briefs or reports; participate in the writing of research papers, preparing presentations, preparing manuscripts for publication and/or knowledge mobilization. 
• Participate in the development and implementation of knowledge translation and exchange activities, including the writing of community reports, evidence briefs, knowledge synthesis reports, expert review panels and stakeholder dialogues. Present research results in meetings, seminars, scientific conferences and/or related settings, including to community partners for confirmation of research results. Assist in reporting project results to the community. 
• Liaise and facilitate knowledge transfer with project partners/collaborators (including community partners and agencies). Plan and coordinate research-related events, including ceremonies, community engagement, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in health, sciences or related discipline 
• Demonstrates advanced analytical and problem-solving skills and is detail-oriented 
• Minimum 2-3 years of related experience in project delivery, coordination of a multi-disciplinary research team, budget tracking and financial management and reporting at an academic department, research institute or organization related to health programs or disciplines 
• Must have strong organizational and time management skills 
• Must be highly motivated, independent and hard-working 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and work within a multi-disciplinary research team 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and engage diverse stakeholders and rightsholders including community-based agencies, Knowledge Keepers, practitioners, health system decision-makers, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities 
• Strong planning, organizing, project management skills and initiative in order to work efficiently under conditions of multiple deadlines and changing priorities with meticulous attention to detail 
• Effective interpersonal, teamwork and relationship-building skills 
• Office computer and data management skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), Google Suite, REDCap, NVivo, etc. 
• Written communication skills are required to develop project proposals, manuscripts, reports, summaries, and presentations, as well as to develop syntheses of evidence arising from research 
• Knowledge of the University of Alberta systems is essential

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of First Nations language and cultural protocols is an asset