Research Assistant

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) collaborates with various external organizations and institutions on projects relevant and of interest to Sioux Lookout area First Nations related to chronic and infectious diseases, health systems, and social determinants of health, among others. 

The Research Assistant will work with both SLFNHA and external research teams to support ongoing projects, and development of new projects. Work will involve coordinating community engagement with projects, conducting literature reviews, supporting data collection, analysis, and storage, and providing ongoing support for projects as needed. This position is full-time term position till March 31, 2028 with possibility of extension,  and will be based in Sioux Lookout.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Interpersonal relations and building trusting relationships

• Thoroughness

• Facilitating teamwork

• Listening

• Dependability

The Research Assistant will be directly accountable to the Anishininiiw Nanandowi’kikendamowin Program Manager, but will also work closely with external research teams.

2025 Salary Range: $62,867 - $84,442 per annum; $34.542 - $46.397 per hour

Position Type: Full-time Term till March 31, 2028 with possibility of extension.

Posting Type: This job posting is for an existing vacancy

Closing date:  Open Until Filled 

Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects in the Sioux Lookout Zone is required. 

• Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment). 

• Relationship building skills and values

• Knowledge of challenges, needs, strengths, and culture of remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario

• Experience working with First Nations peoples

• Skills related to community outreach, collaboration, engagement and relationship building

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Self-motivated and ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a team

• Ability to listen carefully and empathically (i.e. engage others in conversation to understand experiences and perspectives)

• Diploma, or degree in a health-related field and/or Indigenous learning, with one year experience working on research project(s) or a combination of education/experience as deemed acceptable by SLFNHA.

• Experience working with Indigenous communities is required.

• Knowledge of, and experience with, the principles of data Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®)

• Excellent coordination and project management skills

• Discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

• Experience and comfort using MS Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Experience and comfort using computer software for qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis (e.g. NVivo, excel, Stata, SPSS) an asset

• Willingness to receive training

• Experience conducting qualitative research is an asset (recruiting participants, data collection and analysis, facilitation of interviews and talking circles)

• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Engage and work with community leadership regarding research activities; maintain ongoing communication between community and project team

• Collaborate with community partners for participant recruitment; ensure project consent is understood and obtained

• Conduct ongoing knowledge translation of project objectives, methods, and findings to community partners

• Support literature review/scoping review for projects as needed; support development of appropriate methods for projects as required

• Support writing of ethics applications as required

• Travel to communities to support/conduct research related activities, with occasional overnight stays (as permitted based on COVID-19 protocols)

• Conduct community-based interviews with key informants (for example, community leadership and health care providers) and community members; facilitate sharing circles 

• Coordinate logistics and keep records for the study (for example, schedule meetings, book meeting rooms, organize events, and track expenses)

• Transcribe audio files, and translate (when required) from Ojibway, Oji-Cree and/or Cree into English, as needed

• Collaborate with project team for organization and analysis of data

• Handle and protect research data according to relevant protocols and regulations

• Contribute to dissemination of research results (oral and written)

• Other tasks as needed

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify on their application. Self-identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.

We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full-Time employees:

• Pension plan 

• Fitness reimbursement program

• Comprehensive insurance coverage

• Professional development opportunities

• Relocation assistance