Research Associate, Food and Agriculture, School of Public Policy

Description

The School of Public Policy is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term Research Associate for approximately 9 months.

The School of Public Policy (SPP), the University of Calgary is Canada's leading policy school. The School of Public Policy provides a practical, global and focused perspective on public policy analysis and practice in four focus areas: Fiscal and Economic Policy, Social and Health Policy, Energy and Environmental Policy, and International Policy and Trade. The School achieves its mandate through integrated activity across its academic programming, research portfolio, and extensive outreach.

Housed at the School of Public Policy, the Simpson Centre focuses on the numerous social and economic factors that facilitate the success of Canadian agri-food and agri-business.  The goal is to make the Simpson Centre a locus of Canadian research that strengthens and supports the growth and sustainability of agri-food and agri-business ¿ especially in western Canada.

This position reports to the Director of the Simpson Centre, and contributes to research focused social, and economic policy at SPP. It normally involves working Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week with occasional work outside of regular hours as well as potential travel within Canada.

The policy analyst is responsible for the delivery of all elements of the research and outreach programs and that the needs and requirements of the programs team are met. The incumbent must excel in a highly collaborative and dynamic work environment, and be skilled at program administration, coordinating program schedules, and providing needed support to research teams as well as the advisory and scientific committees. Ability to maintain positive relationships with staff and internal and external stakeholder is crucial, as well as capacity to work under pressure at peak times occurring near program and reporting deadlines.

The Policy analyst is expected to independently facilitate the engagement of various internal and external stakeholders including faculty and academic staff, administrative staff at various levels, senior leadership, industry representatives, government and not-for-profit agencies, and the University community to deliver outputs in line with the NCP¿s goals, objectives and priorities. The position also entails undertaking research in a team and independently; coordinating the initial set up of a large scale research project that spans multiple researchers at multiple institutions; coordinating ongoing research programming, research projects and outreach activity, presentation and communication of research and research results to a variety of audiences and in different venues (i.e. presentations at conferences and workshops, media communication, team meetings as well as various written publications). Peak times will occur near deadlines for reporting analysis and results to project stakeholders. The incumbent works on multiple research projects, meeting multiple simultaneous deadlines throughout the year.

The Policy analyst, under the direction of the Simpson Centre Director, administrates and coordinates activities of the Centre. The Policy analyst functions as a leader and administrator, and is responsible for the coordination of multiple projects and initiatives within the Centre. This includes: developing, implementing and administering scheduling for research projects (and working to ensure these are delivered on time and on budget); committee meetings and community engagement; administration of research contracts and budgets; facilitating human resources management; reporting to funding agencies and reporting to other stakeholders; and maintaining effective coordination of all research and outreach activities.

The incumbent requires knowledge and experience of: effective communications and public relations strategies; academic research and teaching environments; effective execution of research partnerships and contracts; project management; and data collection, measurement and reporting. In general, this position undertakes all administrative aspects of the delivery of the program and its activities in accordance with the goals of the SPP and the Centre through managing and coordinating a skilled multi-disciplinary team of full time and part time technical and research professionals, predominantly external to the university. The incumbent works closely with the Director of the Simpson Centre, the project coordinators, and other research associates in SPP, as well as with other faculty, students and project stakeholders.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Support monitoring and analysis of policy developments across priority areas consistent with Simpson Centre mandate, particularly around (i) Canadian Agricultural policy; (ii) Food policy; (iii) Agro-ecological Transition.
• Conduct literature reviews, media monitoring, and stakeholder mapping to support institutional processes of identifying and informing strategic policy priorities based on identified organizational processes.
• Support the monitoring of institutional and regulatory shifts in Canadian and global contexts pertaining to institutional priorities.
• Draft policy-informed communications material for advocacy and government relations purposes based on the insight from Cooperation Canada staff and members.
• Support the qualitative and quantitative analysis of funding flows and mechanisms of Canada's official development assistance.
• Map and engage with global and Canadian stakeholders on priority policy areas, as requested.
• Support the design and the elaboration of new collaborations, projects, and initiatives.
• Develops documentation for granting agencies, donors and other philanthropic bases supporting the Centre, as needed.
• Collaborates regularly and closely with the Simpson Centre team members (i.e., participation in project meetings and brainstorming sessions) as required to conduct research, obtain and verify results, and to assist research-related outreach activities associated with the research division.
• Interacts frequently with internal and external stakeholders in the area of research to maintain strong working relationships and ensure that research is conducted in a timely manner. This includes gathering information and also to share research findings with stakeholders as needed.
• Presents research and findings to interested parties (i.e. presentations at conferences and workshops, media communications).
• Updating and/or maintaining external communications (email correspondence and project website).

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Completion of at least a Master's degree in Social Sciences, Political science, or a related area focused on social, fiscal, and economic policy; however, a combination of experience, training, and education may be considered. At least two years of experience in the fields noted above is preferred.
• A professional or academic experience in one agricultural sector is a strong asset.
• A professional designation as a policy analyst is an asset.
• Experience managing a research program in a research intensive, academic environment, or in other large organizations, is an asset. 
• Possesses knowledge of current social, environmental and economic policy issues, data, and research, in both academic and policy literature, as well as the policy-making process at all orders of government.
• Demonstrated qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Proven ability to engage and build working partnerships with various stakeholder groups, including government, researchers, social/non-profit sector representatives, and people with lived experience to inform research and the development of policy advice.
• Strong analytical skills in reaching sound decisions and resolving complex problems.
• Excellent communication skills, orally and in writing, including demonstrated proficiency in effectively communicating ideas to policymakers and the informed public.
• Ability to expertly navigate difficult situations with multiple strategic dimensions, while building positive relationships with and between colleagues, clients and other internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in the performance of day-to-day duties.
• Ability to act with discretion and handle confidential material.
• Excellent analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to plan, organize and deliver numerous outputs in a collaborative work environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in performance of day-to-day duties.
• Adaptable and flexible in a fast-moving and changing environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and interact respectfully with a variety of internal and external contacts.

Application Deadline:  October 15, 2024.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.