Research Project Community Coordinator

PURPOSE: 

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Project Coordinator supports the development, engagement, and implementation of the WellNS Nova Scotia Mental Wellness Survey project. Through data collection, research, and community involvement, WellNS research team gathers insights to help create practical solutions and strategies to promote resilience, inclusivity, and mental wellness in Nova Scotia (NS).

The Research Project Coordinator collaborates closely with the WellNS research project team, stakeholders, and the community to build relationships, shape strategies and determine methodologies for a robust survey response that is inclusive of diverse voices.

To enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of the Nova Scotia Mental Wellness Survey, the WellNS research team has evolved the survey methodology beyond the traditional household mailout to include additional grassroots community engagement and mobilization activities and approaches. 

The Research Project Community Coordinator will collaborate closely with the WellNS research team to provide oversight for the implementation of grassroots community engagement activities and manage a network of students across the province. This role will be pivotal in ensuring the project's success by fostering community engagement, promoting cultural sensitivity, and coordinating student involvement.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The Coordinator will be responsible for:

Community Mobilization:

• Establishing and fostering relationships with community organizations, community stakeholders and/or community leaders to promote the WellNS survey.
• Acting as a liaison between the project team and community stakeholders, ensuring that the survey is conducted in a culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.
• Establishing a cross provincial student network to support survey implementation with a specific focus on accessibility.  
• Developing specific strategies to engage youth and young adults in the community. This includes providing opportunities for their input in survey design and implementation, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
• Ensuring cultural sensitivity in all aspects of the project, collaborating with cultural organizations and institutions to address diverse cultural backgrounds within the community.
• Coordinating student research assistants from academic institutions, providing training and support for their roles in survey distribution, data collection, and community outreach efforts.
• Supporting the development, launch and maintenance of promotional materials and channels (e.g. social media, posters, etc.).

Research Project Coordination and Support:

• Recruit and screens study subjects where necessary 
  Conducts focus groups, engagement sessions, and interviews 
• Identify additional researchers and research groups whose work aligns with the work of the WellNS research team and promote research capacity building.
• Educates and updates project team members and other partners on study/project protocols
• Support, manage and coordinate processes related to grant proposals, and data-sharing agreements
  
  

Research, Analysis, And Documentation:

• Conducts reviews of the literature and examples of relevant best practices in relevant areas
• Encourage new approaches and/or research questions as ideas and opportunities arise that complement previous or ongoing efforts.
• Supports the preparation of documents for submission to the Research Ethics Board (REB) for study/project approval and closure.
• Identify and document outputs (e.g., peer-reviewed publications) and knowledge mobilization activities (e.g., poster and conference presentations) and outcomes (e.g., policy development, new initiatives) 
• Support the team in conducting quantitative analysis and preparing written reports of findings.
• Demonstrate the opportunity for system stakeholders, academics, and communities through the use of data analysis, identifying regional trends, and their impact.
• Present findings in a clear and concise way. 
  
  

General

• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS:

• Minimum of two years experience in the relevant health profession
• Masters in a health sciences or social sciences discipline (e.g. epidemiology, community/public health, health promotion, community health, health economics)
• Degree in a related health profession (eg. Nurse, Allied Health, Psychology, etc) or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience may be accepted
• Strong knowledge and skills in community development and engagement.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, email and internet
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Strong report writing skills
• Effective interpersonal, communication and teaching skills
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills
• Effective research and analytical thinking skills
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and rapport-building skills
• Ability to work well independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team environment