Job posting: Making it Work Peer Research Associate

 

 

 

 

Making It Work: Supporting Indigenous, Community Approaches to Integrated Service Models for People Living with HIV, Hepatitis C, and/or Challenges with Mental Health, or Substance Use.

 

 

The Making it Work Community-Based Research project is looking for community members from Vancouver, Victoria and Smithers to join the research team as Peer Research Associates.

Are you someone with lived of living experience of HIV and/or hepatitis C? Or have you dealt with challenges with mental health or substance use? Are you passionate about your community? Are you interested in the role Indigenous cultures play in health services?

Making it Work is a research project looking at the services provided in the community, like case management and community development. The study is particularly interested in services delivered through an Indigenous worldview and how organizations create cultural safety* for their clients.

The research team is looking for people who share similar life experiences to participants accessing services at these services. This may mean you have current or past experience with any of the following: HIV, hepatitis C, challenges with mental health and/or substance use. People with first hand experience are an essential part of the research project, providing valuable insight into the planning, executing, and sharing results of the Making it Work project.

If you are interested in learning more about research and the Making it Work Study and you feel you meet the job description below, please get in touch to tell us about yourself!

 

It is important to note that at this point due to COVID-19 work will be done at a distance using our computers for meetings and communication. While necessary training and equipment will be provided, applicants should be somewhat comfortable doing work on the computer.

 

Job type: This is a temporary, part-time position that consists of 3 hours/week for one year (with the possibility of extension for a second year).

Pay: Peer Research Associates are part-time, salaried positions at the Pacific AIDS Network. The salary for this position is $325/month (with two pay periods in a month) before all required taxes and deductions are applied.

Job location: Three Peer Research Associates will be hired around the province of BC and will work as a team from various locations using teleconference, videoconference and other methods as necessary. Some travel for in person meetings will be required as allowed by COVID-19 restrictions.

Reports to: The Making it Work Research Coordinator and Director of Evaluation and Community Based Research at the Pacific AIDS Network.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Actively participates in PAN’s training program that includes:

a. Preparatory self-study work
b. Successful completion of training sessions (on videoconference and in person if COVID-19 restrictions are lifted – all costs will be covered)

  • Supports the planning and design of the Making it Work Study alongside the Community-Based Research team.
  • Attends meetings with Making it Work Research Team. Location to be determined, but may involve travel (if COVID-19 restrictions on travel and gathering are lifted). All costs associated with travel (including accommodation and child care) to be covered by the Making it Work Study.
  • Supports the building of data collection tools and participates in data collection. Peer Researchers will be supported with training and coaching to do this work.
  • Works with the Research Coordinator, Student, Director of Evaluation and CBR, the study’s CBR research team, community organizations and partners, and fellow Peer Research Associates to recruit participants to the project.
  • Administers participant honorarium and completes necessary paperwork.
  • Supports data analysis, supports the writing of recommendations and sharing of findings
  • Helps organize community events.
  • Participates in regular check-ins with the Research Coordinator, monthly research team meetings and occasional in-person team meetings (as COVID-19 allows).
  • This position will involve time spent working on your own as the research team lives in different places across BC. Communication will often be online through email, video conferencing and on the phone, with some in-person meetings, we will work as a team to learn the best way to work together on these platforms.

 

Qualifications

  • A person with lived experience with HIV and/or hepatitis C and/or challenges with mental health and/or substance use.
  • Basic computer skills (e.g., comfortable using a computer, typing, sending emails, and accessing the internet) – your own access to a computer is a benefit but not a necessity (PAN will provide necessary equipment for PRAs).
  • Ability to work on your own and as part of a diverse team, to be a team-player and to communicate needs and work through challenges in a constructive and respectful way.
  • Past experience and/or interest in research or evaluation would be welcome.
  • Past experience and/or interest in working with people with lived or living experiences with HIV, hepatitis C, challenges with mental health and/or substance use.
  • Past experience and/or interest working with Indigenous peoples and communities.
  • Compassion and understanding towards issues related to diversity, inequality, stigma and discrimination.
  • Passionate about learning.
  • Passionate about your community.
  • Fluent in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Average (or above) literacy skills (e.g., reading, comprehension, writing).
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills.
  • Flexibility in working hours and ability to travel for occasional training or team events as COVID-19 allows (travel costs covered).
  • Past experience working as part of a research team is a benefit, but it is not required and training will be provided as part of this position. While it is not a requirement of this position, preference will be given to Indigenous candidates.

 

Application

Please email your answers to the following questions to [email protected]. You are welcome to attach a resume, but it is not required.

1. Tell us about yourself

2. Please describe your interest and/or experience with any or all of the following:

a. Community-based research
b. HIV, hepatitis C, mental health and or substance use services
c. Indigenous health and wellness services

3. You are welcome but not required to describe the communities and/or lived experiences you identify with (Indigenous, racialized, drug using, HIV, hepatitis C etc.).

4. Where do you live? We will be hiring positions in Vancouver, Victoria, and Smithers.

5. Please indicate how you would like to be contacted: email address or phone number.

 

The Research Coordinator will be in touch once they receive your application.

Please send your application in by July 31st, 2020.

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* Cultural safety is about creating an environment where all individuals feel respected and safe, free from racism or discrimination.1,2 This requires acknowledging and respecting the unique history of Indigenous peoples in order to provide appropriate care and services in an equitable and safe way.1

1. Provincial Health Services Authority. (n.d). San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training – About us. Retrieved from http://www.sanyas.ca/about-us
2. Northern Health. (2019). Cultural Safety. Retrieved from https://www.indigenoushealthnh.ca/initiatives/cultural-safety