Community Action Initiative Society of BC

Manager of Policy, Learning and Evaluation

Vancouver, BC

About the Community Action Initiative (CAI)

The Community Action Initiative Society of BC (CAI BC) supports community-led projects that promote mental health, prevent substance use problems and promote effective treatment and support for individuals and families experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in BC. We a take a localized, collaborative approach by creating networks and encouraging dialogue within and across sectors. Our goal is to bring together diverse community-based organizations to work to establish innovative, community-generated models for delivering mental health and/or substance use services in BC.
The CAI Leadership Council/Board of Directors represents a coalition of non-government organizations (NGO), First Nations Health Authority, Metis Nation British Columbia, provincial government bodies and other key stakeholders. We operate on the unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Position Summary

This role requires a person who is passionate about research, quality evidence, data integrity, knowledge mobilization and measuring the impact of policy and programs. High level skills and experience in research, evaluation and implementation theory, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, are essential. This position works with CAI’s team to lead and implement research and evaluation strategies and activities. This role supports the strategic direction of the Society through analysis and communication of evidence in support of decision making, while also supporting knowledge translation and exchange. This position provides research services focused on mental health and/or substance use topics, knowledge translation and education. Information gathered supports internal, external and community priorities. With a focus on equity-oriented approaches, data gathered inform CAI’s grant funding, training and capacity building programs. Evidence translation is an important part of this role, involving interpretation of latest research findings and community impact results into practice and policy for a variety of target audiences – including policy makers and the community-based mental health and substance use sector. The Manager of Policy, Learning and Evaluation will also contribute to other activities in conjunction with the team to help to advance CAI’s strategic goals and will work effectively with diverse stakeholders including NGO’s, provincial government bodies, municipal governments, primary care networks, and community members. This position reports to the Provincial Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead research, evaluation and knowledge translation/education initiatives for various CAI program areas
Lead the development of a knowledge translation/exchange strategy for the CAI
Prepare user-friendly reports, fact sheets, briefing notes, presentations, and website content
Lead the initiative in the translation of evidence into publications that are outwardly focused, stakeholder relevant and engaging, and develop communications and engagement strategies and with respect to knowledge mobilization designed to enhance CAI’s role in the community-based mental health sector
Develop and maintain relationships with CAI partners, external stakeholders and grant recipients
Manage and maintain research-related project records, files and storage according to established standards and procedures
Lead, plan and implement research and evaluation strategies, measures, tools and resources for CAI grant recipients and the mental health and substance use sector
Build internal capacity for evaluation by leading and supporting staff and grant recipients to manage evaluation tasks related to their projects and programs, creating evaluation toolkits and resources, and conducting education sessions on evaluation topics
Conduct research and analysis to respond to specific internal and external data needs, including literature reviews, policy analysis and knowledge exchange initiatives
Provide advice and direction for various aspects of the evaluation process, including outcome and indicator development, program logic model/ theory of change, and evaluation plans and frameworks.
Develop evaluation processes within the Secretariat that complement popular and timely approaches to evaluation within the sector, (i.e. developmental and participatory evaluation approaches)
Provide high-level policy and project advice to project managers, the Provincial Director and Leadership Council/Board of Directors, making policy connections and proposing options and solutions
Provide evidence to the sector’s value proposition through supporting performance measurement and evaluation which links to quality assurance initiatives or broader sector development activities
Work with the CAI Program Manager, Grants & Community Funding to review and approve evaluation plans and reports for CAI grant recipients
Advise the Provincial Director and CAI Leadership Council/Board of Directors of issues and opportunities related to research, knowledge translation and/or evaluation initiatives
Give presentations and attend meetings on behalf of the CAI, with approval of the Provincial Director
Other duties as required

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Health Sciences, Public Policy, Community Development, Psychology, Social Work or a related fiend and can demonstrate:
- Five to seven (5-7) years of recent, related experience conducting research, evaluating programs and/or administering grants or managing community programs
- Experiencing developing and implementing evaluation plans
- Knowledge and/or experience with mental health and/or substance use topics and services in BC

Knowledge and Skills

Proven research, writing and policy experience and education most often attained through completing a Master’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ employment in a related job
Knowledge and experience in evaluating community impact
Ability to design, develop and apply a variety of research and evaluation methodologies (both quantitative and qualitative)
Ability to synthesize and interpret complex data for the purposes of producing reports, briefing notes, correspondence, and other materials
Strong computer literacy, including full competency in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and competency in data analysis software (e.g., SPSS)
Experience with webinar software (e.g., Adobe Connect) and website platforms (e.g., WordPress, Mail Chimp)
Strong internet and public database search skills
Project management experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proven ability to communicate with different audiences
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Ability to work independently, and as part of a team
Strong multi-tasking skills to prioritize and organize tasks, and meet deadlines
Ability to exercise good judgment and work with confidential materials
Experience in knowledge translation best practice and government relations is an asset

Direct/Indirect Reports

This position has a minimum of one direct report
This position has a minimum of one indirect report

Working conditions

This position is located in Vancouver. The usual work week is 37.5 hours. Most work is accomplished during usual business hours however; the successful candidate will need to maintain some flexible scheduling.
Travel may be required.
This position is a unionized position under the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association Collective Agreement. The rate of pay is $34.20 per hour.
This temporary assignment will end upon return of the incumbent.