Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH is the first hospital-based Centre in Canada designed to drive culturally-responsive systems initiatives to achieve health justice and wellness for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities through the advancement of research, workforce development and innovative healing models that harmonize traditional knowledge and medical expertise.
The Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR) is home to leading scientific experts dedicated to informing policy and practice on mental illness and substance use disorders. IMHPR scientists conduct collaborative research on communities, populations, health systems and global health, and develop and evaluate prevention and intervention initiatives to reduce mental health and substance use challenges. IMHPR is committed to equity, informed by the social determinants of health.
Position Description
Shkaabe Makwa and the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is seeking four (4) part-time, contract (4 months) Research Associate 1. These individuals will support a research project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the First Nations Wellness Initiative, which involves the collection of local data and the development of community wellness strategies using Participatory Action Research in First Nations communities. The research program actively engages all members of the community, including consumers/patients, families and informal caregivers, service providers and community leaders and Elders. The Research Associate will support the work collaboratively as part of a team of researchers to implement community-based research, involving both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
These positions are specific to Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, where the Research Associate’s will report to the Manager of the First Nations Wellness Initiative. The primary responsibilities of the Research Associates include assisting with qualitative and quantitative data collection activities such as, a community wide survey, interviews with people with lived and living experiences, and focus groups with service providers. The Research Associates will assist with administrative tasks and the preparation of data collection materials, as well as materials used in knowledge sharing activities. The Research Associates will be recruiting and screening eligible study participants; obtaining informed consent; assisting participants with the use of electronic tablets to complete a survey, and other research tasks as needed. Strict adherence to protocols for safety and the protection of data privacy and confidentiality are required. The Research Associates will be working as a team with the support of the Research Coordinators in community, as well as the wider CAMH research team. As a member of the research team, the Research Associate will join and support a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork, and complies with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements.
These part-time positions will have varying hours (maximum of 15 hours per week) for four months with the possibility of an extension. Work outdoors during evening and weekend hours are required. This position will be based in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and may involve travel within Ontario.
