Position Overview
The School of Public Policy invites applications for a Research Associate, Health Policy. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reports to the Director of Health Policy and entails undertaking analysis and research independently and within a team approach in a fast moving and changing environment, often involving multiple stakeholders. The position will involve working at the School of Public Policy Office (downtown campus). Presentation and communication of research and research results to a variety of audiences and in different venues is also involved (i.e. presentations at conferences, workshops, team meetings as well as in various written publications). Peak times will occur near deadlines for reporting analysis and results to project stakeholders.
This position involves coordination with multiple stakeholders, survey and interview administration, data compilation and analysis of population data to assess disability policy at the systems level, with a focus on disability policy at the provincial level. Critically, this position will require an understanding of social and health policy, public health concepts and economic policy, preferably how this may be applied to disability. This individual will primarily be engaged in projects aligned with the activities and directions of the Social Policy and Health program, working collaboratively within a team of health policy researchers and stakeholders, in economic evaluation and quantitative data analysis and synthesis of the literature. This individual will also be responsible for day-to-day supervision of staff, monitoring, planning, and organizing activities of others requiring strong skills in communication, organization and management.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Undertake analysis using data on disability benefits and supports across provinces. This includes research question definition, review of the relevant literature, data gathering, application of appropriate theory and empirical analysis, development and assessment of results, development of policy implications and recommendations, and the writing and presentation of reports and other study products to stakeholders
- The Research Associate will be directly involved in the research components of several different research projects at any point in time
- Collection of data relevant to disability policy and supports, for example data on disability credits and benefits across provinces
- Undertake analysis involving anything from simple data regression models up to and including advanced econometric analytics, as well as graphic representation of conclusions and results. The Research Associate will provide expertise in understanding how methods can be adapted to better understand disability policy
- Undertake a careful and insightful evaluation and interpretation of all analytical results. The Research Associate will assess and interpret results in the context of existing literature in disability
- Organize time effectively so that research results are produced by set deadlines that support overall project timelines
- Provide an evaluation of all policy implications of the results and develops carefully considered recommendations for practical and effective policy responses based on data analysis
- Engage in stakeholder consultation and partner development meetings to guide analysis
- Regularly updates project team on data collection and analysis, as well as prepare and present reports of results using excellent technical writing skills
- Engage with the Social Policy and Health team and external research collaborators to ensure consistency and organization within research projects, as well as to build and sustain research momentum
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Masters degree in public policy and related experience in public policy.
- Disability policy research related work experience required
- Database compilation and management experience
- Knowledge of provincial and federal disability policy and programs in Canada.
- Understanding of experimental design and scientific process
- Knowledge of bibliographic research methods and familiarity with PubMed and other relevant databases essential
- Experience with qualitative interviews with families with youth with disabilities
- Experience with software (Invivo), databases as well as Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Experience managing complex projects and working collaboratively with clinical professionals, cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Proven ability to deliver high quality publications and presentations.
- Ability to effectively prioritize and organize work, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in performance of day- to-day duties while remaining adaptable and flexible in a fast-moving and changing environment
- Exhibits strong organizational skills for collection, maintenance and organization of data and relevant literature
- Ability to follow established procedures for research work, but also displays ability to be innovative with respect to suggesting new procedures/evaluation methods
- Knowledge of Canadas publicly funded health care system and current policy debates over its sustainability
- Experience in research coordination
Application Deadline: April 1, 2022
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase II ($31.81 - $46.05/hour).
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
COVIDSafe Campus Strategy
The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada's leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation's most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada's top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.