Women's Shelters Canada- Research Coordinator

Women's Shelters Canada - Research Coordinator

Posted on Oct 18, 2024

Research Coordinator (one-year contract)

Summary

The Research Coordinator will play a key role in advancing WSC’s research portfolio. Working with the Research and Policy Manager, the Coordinator will administer WSC’s national profile of women’s shelters in 2025 and provide support on existing projects.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) brings together 16 provincial and territorial shelter organizations and supports more than 620 shelters across the country for women and children fleeing violence. WSC was created by the provincial and territorial shelter associations who identified a need for a unified voice on the issue of violence against women at the national/federal level. Together, we have become a national, collaborative voice for systemic change with the goal of ending violence against women, children, and gender diverse individuals. WSC works from an intersectional feminist framework. You can read more about our vision, mission, and core values on our website.

The Research Coordinator will provide support on existing projects, such as the annual Shelter Voices report, Shelter Trends reports, and national profile. This profile includes policy research and briefs, literature reviews and environmental scans, designing mixed methods research projects, and analyzing and reporting on the findings of WSC’s studies.

The Coordinator is expected to work from an intersectional feminist framework to carry out the work of the organization and achieve the overall mission and strategic plan. The Coordinator will report to the Research and Policy Manager and interact regularly with other members of staff, shelter staff from across the country, and representatives from the provincial/territorial associations.

This is a one-year contract, with the possibility of extension. Work is primarily completed through a hybrid work model with staff in the office in Ottawa 2-3 days per week. Fully remote work in a location outside of Ottawa would be considered for the right candidate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The list below includes the main responsibilities associated with this position. Responsibilities may vary over time according to the ongoing and emerging initiatives of WSC, as well as the skills and interests of the successful candidate.

Research (60%)

1. Collaborating on the design, implementation, and analysis of national surveys.
2. Organizing VAW shelter sector consultations and focus groups across the provinces and territories.
3. Working closely with the Research and Policy Manager and external research partners, producing research reports and briefs for the wider public.
4. Conducting literature reviews and environmental scans on relevant topics.
5. Collecting and analyzing data for WSC’s annual Shelter Voices Report.
6. Representing WSC on working groups and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
7. Assisting with funding proposals to further the WSC’s research and policy agenda.
8. Participating in regular research project meetings at WSC.

Policy Analysis (30%)

1. Studying policy and other public policy documents at all levels of government.
2. Conducting and/or identifying existing research knowledge to inform policy and practice.
3. Assisting on the research and advocacy work of the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.
4. Facilitating meetings and working groups to support data gathering and synthesis of policy-related material.
5. Working with the Knowledge Exchange and Communications Teams to break down research into summaries, infographics, and fact sheets.
6. Providing knowledge sharing and translation among the WSC team.
7. Presenting research findings both preliminary and conclusive at conferences and other events.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

1. A completed Master’s degree or PhD in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Sociology, Social Work, Public Policy, Legal Studies, or a related discipline, ideally with knowledge of gender-based violence and violence against women.
2. Candidates who are currently completing a doctoral degree will be considered.

Experience:

1. Knowledge and experience with community-based research.
2. Knowledge and experience with intersectional feminist critical research.
3. Strong academic writing skills and experience conducting literature reviews and/or technical reports.
4. Ability to analyze information, summarize findings, and present them in ways that are easily understandable to decision-makers and the general public.
5. Familiarity with the key social and structural issues facing the communities WSC serves (VAW shelters, shelter workers, survivors of GBV, etc.).

Skills:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
2. Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to set priorities, work independently, and perform well under pressure.
3. Excellent writing skills for a variety of audiences.
4. Strong language skills (written and spoken) in either English or French and capacity to read and communicate in the other language. Fluency in French considered an asset.
5. Demonstrated expertise in successfully designing and carrying out mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative).
6. Experience using computer software related to word processing, reference management systems, and data analysis software (Word, Excel, SPSS, NVivo, etc.).

If you’re excited about this role but aren’t sure you meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. We know that women and racialized people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every single requirement.

LOCATION

Work is primarily completed through a hybrid work model with staff coming into the office in Ottawa 2-3 days per week. Fully remote work in a location outside of Ottawa would be considered for the right candidate.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position involves working at a computer for extended periods of time as well as virtual, phone, and in-person meetings (dependent on public health restrictions). This position may involve travel for out-of-town conferences.

COMPENSATION & DURATION

Annual salary is between $59,373 to $63,564 based on relevant experience. An employee benefits package is included with this position. This is a one-year contract with possibility of renewal.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter explaining why this position is of interest and how your experience and skills will enable you to excel in this role. The deadline to apply is November 5, 2025. Please apply through CharityVillage. We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

WSC practises employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. In particular, applications are encouraged from racialized people, Indigenous people, disabled people, queer and trans people, and women. If you wish to volunteer this information as part of your application, we encourage you to do so in your cover letter.

If you require any form of accessibility throughout this application, please let us know. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports the participation of all employees.