The Research and Policy Analyst use their foundational research training and experience to conduct substance use and addiction-related research projects working closely with senior researchers and with guidance/support from their supervisor. The RPA I leads the key steps in research studies including contributing to ethics applications, writing literature and evidence reviews and research reports, and conducting data collection and analyses. The RPA I prepares presentations and other means of promoting research results. The RPA I uses effective time management and organizational skills to complete projects in a timely manner, and to balance involvement in multiple concurrent projects. The RPA I works independently as well as collaboratively with other researchers and staff from other divisions at CCSA.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Research
- Plans, leads, and conducts research projects applying the appropriate research methods, data collection and analytical techniques with some supervision
- Collects and verifies data following protocols determined by the project lead.
- Extracts data from a variety of sources such as literature, databases, data inventories etc. for both primary studies as well as research knowledge syntheses
- Performs quantitative and/or qualitative data analyses
- Conducts or identifies existing research knowledge syntheses to inform policy and practice using knowledge of critical appraisal and analysis methods
- Contributes to identifying data needs and sources for agreements with external organizations or government bodies to obtain access to data
- Demonstrates some understanding of sex, gender, equity, diversity and inclusion (SGBA+) principles and analysis in research studies.
- Writes research reports in a range of formats (evidence summary, drug summaries, technical reports, etc.)
- Contributes to research ethics applications
- Scans literature and credible information sources to keep up to date in their project topic areas
Communication
- Writes to a strong scientific standard with a high level of English literacy.
- Writes content and develops materials for presentations, webinars, workshops, etc.
- Writes material for CCSA expert committee packages, working groups and partner meetings and may attend meetings as an observer to gain an understanding of the stakeholder priority issues.
- Presents at conferences and other opportunities for presentations related to their project subject matter
- Communicates and interacts professionally with CCSA staff across all divisions, as well as external partners.
Outreach and Networking
- Identifies events related to project topic areas to determine opportunities for networking and presenting research results
- Develops rationale for presenting research results to stakeholder groups
- Identifies researchers who align with project topic areas to build a network of research contacts and defines their potential role with CCSA.
Project Management
- Develops project plans determining scope, timelines, and budget of projects.
- Manages time and workload to meet milestone targets and complete projects to deadlines.
- Attends project meetings and staff meetings to keep updated, report on project timelines, and understand organizational factors that may influence projects.
- Works effectively with research team members and other divisions during the review and publication process to integrate feedback and navigate steps to publication in a timely manner.
This position profile is designed to provide an overview of the main responsibilities for the role. Other responsibilities not identified in this position profile may be assigned based on the person’s experience and operational requirements.