Research Analyst

Research Analyst - Systems Transformation (Temporary Full-Time)

ABOUT THE JOB

CMHA BC is British Columbia's leading mental health non-profit organization. We promote mental health for all and support the resilience of people living with mental illness and/or substance use challenges. We work to uplift the voices of people with lived expertise and to advance the human right to best possible mental health by calling for a comprehensive system of care that protects and promotes mental wellbeing and adequately addresses the social determinants of health.

The Department of Systems Transformation is responsible for undertaking strategic policy advocacy to address broad, emergent, and systemic mental health and substance use issues in BC. These issues range from prevention, early intervention, crisis care, harm reduction, treatment and recovery and the social determinants of health including housing, income and poverty, employment and more. In addition to developing policy positions across these areas through research, engagement and analysis, the Department also provides cross-functional policy advocacy support to CMHA BC program areas and the 14 local CMHA branches across BC. The Department is responsible for keeping CMHA BC up to date on emerging policy research, patterns, positions, and political atmosphere.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to and under the direction of the Manager of Policy Advocacy, this temporary, project-specific Research Analyst role will survey existing programs and services across BC which provide mental health and substance use (MHSU) care that can be accessed on a voluntary basis. The Research Analyst will produce a briefing paper with visualizations that maps currently available voluntary MHSU care and pinpoints barriers and gaps in access. The Research Analyst will be well-versed in the mental health and substance use care landscape in BC and will contribute to analysis in support of CMHA BC's policy advocacy relating to advancing MHSU voluntary care.

The duties and responsibilities associated with this position are described below. As the position supports an evolving project, responsibilities may be adjusted as the project progresses.

• Conducts a targeted research project by identifying, reviewing, and acquiring data on BC’s voluntary mental health and substance use care services, employing methods such as performing literature searches, accessing on-line databases, searching publicly accessible data archives and websites, undertaking informational interviews of key informants, and consulting with provincial MHSU groups and organizations.


• Develops and maintains data collection, recording, and management systems such as spreadsheets and bibliographic and other databases.


• Prepares a written report of research findings by performing duties such as compiling and summarizing research data, preparing visualizations (e.g., charts, tables, and graphs), and formulating recommendations based on findings.


• In collaboration and consultation with the Manager of Policy Advocacy and the Communications Department, contributes to the knowledge translation of research findings for specialist and non-specialist audiences, through production of presentation materials, data visualizations, and a written briefing paper.


• Ensures all research activities, conduct, and outputs conform to ethical, culturally safe, and community-based research standards and align with the organization's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

ABOUT YOU

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, public health, health sciences, health information science, social sciences, political science, or related studies.


• An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered.

Experience

    A minimum of 3 years’ recent related experience must include:

• Undertaking policy-oriented secondary research such as researching historical and archival data, performing literature searches, accessing on-line databases, conducting informational interviews.


• Supporting or conducting primary research (qualitative and/or quantitative), including data collection and analysis, that conforms with accepted ethical standards, principles of co-design, and culturally safe practices.


• Writing a variety of documents such as research summaries, briefing notes and reports.


• Undertaking knowledge translation activities to support research (e.g., presentations, visualizations, digital communications tools, etc.)


• Engaging, supporting, and partnering with people with lived or living experience of mental illness and/or substance use.


• Experience in the mental health and substance use sector.

Assets

• Working in the non-profit sector.


• Engaging in co-production with people with lived or living experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to review, synthesize, analyze and translate research evidence and knowledge.


• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.


• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.


• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize, with good time management.


• Ability to think critically and analyze and solve problems.


• Demonstrable knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research design and methods.


• Demonstrable understanding of the provincial mental health and substance use sector, system, and political atmosphere.


• Working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.


• Understanding of reconciliation, decolonization, and equity principles as they relate to mental health and substance use.


• Commitment to empowering and partnering with people with lived or living experience on research co-design and activities.
  
  

Our Key Values and Principles

The successful candidate will be expected to consistently conduct themselves in alignment with CMHA BC's Core Values of:

• Inclusive


• Proactive


• Compassionate


• Steadfast


• Collaborative

Working Conditions

• The position is temporary (5 months) and full-time (37.5 hours per week), primarily during regular office business hours, though there may be a need to work out of regular office business hours to attend events and key meetings.


• The position can be based out of CMHA BC’s Vancouver or Victoria office and offers hybrid working arrangements.


• The position may require occasional flexibility to travel provincially.


• This is a unionized position under the Health Services and Support – Community Subsector Association Grid 41 and hourly rate is Min $37.03 and Max $38.78


• Successful completion of background screening checks including a criminal record check and education verification required.

How To Apply

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter, clearly documenting how you satisfy the requirements outlined in this job posting to [email protected] by 5 p.m. February 12, 2026.

The subject line should mention “Research Analyst”. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. For more information about CMHA, BC Division, visit our website at www.cmha.bc.ca.

CMHA, BC Division, is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work. As such, we encourage applications from persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our staff. Personal experience with mental illness and or addiction, either through self or a loved one, is an asset.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health and addiction, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

We respectfully acknowledge xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (TsleilWaututh), Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples on whose traditional, unceded lands the CMHA BC offices are located.