Research and Evaluation Specialist

The Research and Evaluation Specialist role is part of the Organizational Impact team and contributes significantly to the whole organization’s research and evaluation work. Under direction of the Director of Organizational Impact, the role provides essential research and evaluation capacity to align our internal and external work to various foundational frameworks in the organization and our Credible Influencer strategy. It will ensure that program and service delivery is evidence-based and aligned to community need.

The Research and Evaluation Specialist will create and steward an evidence repository that will support the organizational objectives. The Specialist will aide in optimizing program delivery, contribute to and inform the strategic direction of YW and its business units, support funding opportunities and strengthen marketing and communication efforts. The position also plays a critical role in supporting policy and advocacy asks and briefs by providing a proactive scan of issues and solutions aligned to our core business. This exciting and varied role will provide many opportunities to influence programs, services, and advocacy positions of the organization, contributing in multiple ways to organizational impact. The role will also support internal evaluation efforts, developing and implementing specific evaluation projects and supporting development of surveys across organizational departments.

This position is a Full-time Permanent position working 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday. This role is eligible for a Hybrid work arrangement.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community
• Flexible schedules and a hybrid work arrangement to help our employees manage work and life
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Comprehensive benefits, onsite fitness, and childcare facilities

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Providing proactive scanning of issues and solutions aligned to our core business
• Supporting funding opportunities and strengthen marketing and communication efforts as requested
• Support program delivery and design to be evidence-based and aligned to community need
• Maintain a repository of relevant data, evidence and best practices to inform program and advocacy efforts
• Develop and implement evaluation plans for specific programs or projects as assigned
• Identify survey requirements and design surveys to meet identified needs
• Provide consultation/review of surveys created by other teams
• Construct surveys/data collection tools in one of the available survey platforms as necessary
• Adhere to organizational and legal data management and privacy standards
• Present related information to internal or external groups as requested
• Act as a role model to team and the rest of the organization by practicing and integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in one’s role, responsibilities, and relationships with team members
• Promote and support individual and team participation in EDI learning opportunities and organizational initiatives, including the various EDI committees/teams
• Act as a champion in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in team’s culture and dynamics and within the rest of the organization
• Inspire the team to achieve health, safety, and wellness (HS&W) excellence through modelling awareness and integrating programs, policies and practices that are aligned to YW’s HS&W culture
• Model and create a psychologically safe work environment and relationships that are inclusive and demonstrate active caring for the health, safety, and general wellbeing of team members. This includes active leadership to implement the National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety
• Collaborate and share pro-active ownership of health, safety, and wellness with team members by creating accountability and active participation in HS&W decision-making and empowering everyone on the team to take personal responsibility
• Ensure that workplace incidents are reported expeditiously using the proper YW reporting and communication protocols, so the right people and departments are aware to activate appropriate incident response and support measures to the people involved, as well as risk management in compliance of legislative requirements (Occupational Health & Safety, Workers’ Compensation, etc.)
• Create and support team member participation on the HS&W Committee to promote professional development, connection, and collaboration, as well as embracing the diversity of interests, needs, talents and voices from across the organization to ensure holistic and robust committee and organizational results

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• A clear Police Information Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search, and an Intervention Record Check is required upon commencement of employment
• Graduate level post-secondary education in Human Services or applicable relevant field
• Equivalencies through a combination of other education and relevant experience may be considered
• 5+ years' of professional experience
• Equivalencies gained through significant research and/or evaluation experience during education may be considered
• Non-Profit experience considered an asset
• Ability to synthesize information, research evidence and best practices from various sources to reach conclusions and identify recommendations related to specific topics of interest for YW Calgary
• Ability to effectively communicate the synthesized results of published research, grey literature, best practices, and community trends to a non-academic audience
• Strong agile project management skills
• Program evaluation and survey design skills. Related certifications or designations would be considered an asset

If you want to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Deadline: Until Suitable Candidate Found
Apply today by submitting your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations.
Check out our website for more information about YW Calgary:

YW Calgary is committed to providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers and clients feel valued and respected, whatever their race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, or place of origin.