Lead Researcher

Pursuant to the goals of the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework, Outcomes Strategic Consulting is seeking a highly capable Lead Researcher to help us understand the unmet needs of children, families, and workers in the Early Childhood Education sector. The research will inform the creation of professional development programming for Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Assistants working with Indigenous children.

The Researcher will plan and conduct most of their daily activities independently with mínimal oversight on a small team. A strong understanding of child development and education practices, as well as Indigenous childrearing philosophies, would be highly valuable to this role.

In addition to primary research and literature review, the Lead Researcher will collaborate with our education planning team to develop and test professional development courses that address the needs and priorities identified by the research. They will also prepare a comprehensive written report on their research findings to share with other enablers within the domain of Indigenous Early Childhood Education.

**Location**:
Winnipeg-based role with regular travel throughout Manitoba.

**Work setting**:
Hybrid possible, working from your home or our downtown office. Front-line research will predominantly occur on-site at various Early Learning and Education Centres (daycares) throughout Manitoba.

**Employment Type**: Full-Time for a 12-month term with the possibility of extension

**Salary Band**: $75,000-$110,000 depending on experience and qualifications

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Design a research plan that meets all our core project learning outcomes using methodologies that are respectful and appropriate to the research questions, Indigenous participants, and the programming objectives
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and synthesize data, identifying gaps and opportunities
- Identify and build relationships with key stakeholder groups, including Indigenous parents and caregiver groups, early childhood education partners, early development experts, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers
- Organize and facilitate semi-structured interviews and focus groups
- Record, analyze, code, and data accurately and efficiently
- Interpret and synthesize research findings in a clear and actionable manner
- Build knowledge translation tools, including workshops, presentations, and short-form publications
- Write a publishable comprehensive research report detailing all data, analysis, and findings for non-academic audiences
- Utilize ethical research practices and build positive and respectful relationships
- Manage all aspects of the research project, including creating timelines, coordinating logistics, working within a set budget, meeting all deadlines, and producing regular progress reports
- Supervise and train junior researchers or team members

**Qualifications**:

- Graduate degree in Education, Child Development, Public Health, Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Sociology, or a similar field.
- 5-10 years performing high-calibre qualitative research.
- Professional experience managing and conducting a research project.
- Profound understanding of Indigenous histories, Ways of Knowing, family practices, and inequities in health and education faced by today’s Indigenous families, specifically within the Canadian prairie provinces and northern territories.
- Education or experience in the early learning and education field, or adult education and professional development, would be a vital asset.
- Excellent written English proficiency, demonstrated by a substantial body of written work.
- Experience organizing and conducting focus groups, designing semi-structured interviews, recording and collecting data from various sources, thematic data coding, and making conclusions from research data.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with mínimal supervision or administrative support.
- A solid commitment to fostering positive relationships with stakeholders and team members and respect for the diversity of views and values among all our contacts.
- The ability to speak Cree or other Indigenous languages is strongly preferred.

**Non-negotiables**:

- Must have a valid drivers’ license and access to a reliable vehicle
- Must be able to travel regularly throughout Manitoba
- Must be able to provide a clear Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search

**Application**:
**Job Type**: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $75,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Winnipeg, MB R3C 3Z5