Research Assistant Summer Student

Type: Temporary position that is 10 weeks in length Hours of Work: 35 hours/week **Who we are**: Volunteer Alberta (VA) is a warm and vibrant organization that nourishes the conditions for civic engagement and volunteerism in the province. Through a collaborative approach with our Board of Directors, our work is guided by and responsive to the needs of the people and organizations we serve. Working in the spirit of mutuality and reciprocity, we work to provide services, share knowledge, and make connections to foster capability and capacity in the social good/voluntary sector. Volunteer Alberta actively lives into our values of collaboration, integrity, learning, responsiveness, adaptability, and engaging in an asset-based approach. Our collaborative principles inform how we work together and embody our values: 1. We agree to be open by default and intentional about collaboration. We check our assumptions and actively acknowledge them. 2. We don't assume collaboration means everyone being involved from start to finish. We give careful consideration to who needs to be at the table. 3. We operate from a beginner’s mindset. We are curious, ask questions, and listen to new ideas vs. judging or responding. 4. We practice active and empathetic listening. We still our minds, listen with all senses and listen without interrupting. We are respectful of people's opinions and thoughts. 5. We are in service of each other. We reach common goals by supporting each other and checking egos at the door. 6. We give everyone space/time to reflect and speak. It's okay to say "I don't know.” **Why work for us**: VA deeply values its employees and their contributions to VA’s mission, vision, and community. It’s important to us that we collectively create an environment that is psychologically safe and deeply values equity, diversity, and inclusion. We co-create and implement working conditions that consider and nourish employees’ wellbeing and safety. **About the role**: The Research Assistant-CSJ role is primarily responsible for helping to complete research deliverables in support of various programs. This includes collecting and reviewing data; supporting data analysis; developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys; conducting community-based research, interviews and focus groups; completing literature review and environmental scans; and liaising with nonprofit stakeholders across Alberta. This position supports customer service, resource development, and evaluation as well as associated Volunteer Alberta learning products and resources. This role also liaises with stakeholders and works with other staff to help identify trends, finds practical and timely solutions to manage issues/concerns from service providers and participants. **Responsibilities**: Research and Development (80%) Lead - Conduct secondary research, including literature reviews and environmental scans, to support program deliverables and emerging work - Conduct interviews and focus groups to support Intersectionality program, Civic Engagement working group, Volunteer Screening Program, etc. - Identify current content experts in areas related to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice (IDEAS) - Work with the Senior Coordinator, Learning and Resources to develop and implement various research projects in support of the Volunteer Screening Program (ex. collect data and interview police/RCMP on costs and use of background checks) - Create graphics and written material to support the knowledge mobilization of VA learning products Support - Support quarterly reporting and evaluation for VA programs (including Volunteer Screening Program, Intersectionality, and others) VA General Support (20%) - Support the development of content for Volunteer Alberta’s newsletter and/or blog - Support VA evaluation by sourcing and uploading quarterly program data - Participate on internal and external initiatives as appropriate to provide perspective in alignment with strategic priorities - Participate on and/or lead various Project Teams, as appropriate - Use Volunteer Alberta’s project management platform to coordinate and track progress **Qualifications**: Required Qualifications Must meet all of the following requirements (CSJ funding): - Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment; - Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; - Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment; and - Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations. Other Qualifications - Experience with research and ability to interpret data and analytics - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and presentation skills; relationships-focused - Intermediate to advanced computer skills