Project Coordinator

This role will be The Project Coordinator for the CART Access Project: Advancing Access to Abortion for under-served populations through tools for healthcare professionals and people seeking care. The CART Access project is a national multi-site knowledge mobilization study funded by a grant from Health Canada. The Project Coordinator will play an active role to organize and coordinate team members, partners, and project collaborators, as well as to manage project activities, timelines, budget, and evaluation to achieve the aims of the CART-Access project run within the Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART).

The Project Coordinator will support the team for logistical aspects of conducting the project in accordance with the contract with Health Canada, the sub-contracts with our partner organizations, while meeting a high standard of ethical principles, manuscript writing, and submission. The Project Coordinator will work closely with the PI, Professor Wendy Norman, faculty engaged on the project, and relevant stakeholders and partners to support all aspects of the work of the team. The Project Coordinator will also be responsible for supporting the faculty, partners and staff to create ethics applications, financial reports, evaluation reports and manuscripts related to this project.

Coordinating the research project operation of the CART Access Project is an important central role that will support the efforts of all team members and partner organizations. This position requires a considerable level of independence, judgement, supervisory, communication and interpersonal skills. The position also requires great attention to detail and basic knowledge of UBC administrative policies (or willingness to learn), and a willingness to adapt to changing procedures and policies.

Organizational Status
The CART Access Project is a project within The Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART). CART is situated at the Women's Hospital Research Institute (WHRI), of the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, within the Provincial Health Services Authority, and belongs to the UBC Department of Family Practice. Founded and co-led by Professor Wendy Norman, CART is a national, interdisciplinary and collaborative research team that conducts research to inform key stakeholders on policies and services impacting family planning and women's health. CART has multiple active grant-funded research projects. Several UBC faculty are principal investigators leading CART projects.

Work Performed
The nature of the research to be undertaken under the direction of the faculty investigators includes:

• Coordinating research project activities for the CART Access project among co-investigators and content experts.

• Assisting investigators to conduct aspects of the CART Access project activity implementation, data collection, analysis and knowledge translation activities.

• Engaging with a multidisciplinary team of coinvestigators and collaborators to optimize our national CART Access project activities.

• Coordinating or supervising the preparation of communication materials for community members and other stakeholders, including production of an annual newsletter and updating to the word-press based team website.

• Coordinating regular and ad-hoc meetings of individuals and groups within the project team(s) as necessary to ensure appropriate progress on the CART Access project.

• Supervising the clerical administration of financial transactions related to the CART Access project, and similarly liaising with the UBC University Industry Liaison Office to manage the financial aspects of all sub-contracts with partner organizations and universities.

• Responsible for submission and maintenance of research ethics applications and amendments, operational approvals, reporting to research funders, under the guidance of the PI and investigators.

• Meticulous management of all aspects of communications with the CART Access Project team, partners and stakeholders. Identifies, prioritizes, and takes follow-up action on items as required.

• Assisting the CART Access project faculty, where needed, to post positions for additional staff, and to submit applications for trainees, including, hiring, and orienting new staff/students/trainees.

• Responsible for ensuring the writing of progress and end-of-grant reports as required by the research funding agency as well as related Research Metrics reporting for CART affiliates including BCCHR and WHRI.

• Performing other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The CART Access Project Coordinator is responsible for engaging with faculty, staff, partner organizations and stakeholders such as health care providers performing abortion services in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner. This position requires working effectively within an organizational structure and involves a high degree of self-direction, the ability to work to tight timelines, and strong interpersonal skills. Poor decisions and errors in judgment could result in delayed completion of projects or inappropriate planning, result in financial loss, and damage the reputation of the Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART), the Faculty of Medicine, and the Department of Family Practice. The CART Access Project Coordinator must exercise cultural sensitivity, patience, good will, tact, judgment, and discretion in working with various stakeholders and collaborating with internal and external agencies. Knowledge and sensitivity to issues is required. The CART Access Project Coordinator is expected to communicate with staff, research investigators, and community/external agencies. Errors in decision-making may compromise the reputation of CART and key investigators.

Supervision Received
The incumbent is required to use a high degree of initiative and professional judgement in carrying out responsibilities. Professor Wendy Norman will supervise the Project Coordinator and will provide resources to support the Project Coordinator’s research activities.

Supervision Given
The incumbent will supervise the CART Research Assistant and other CART staff, students, or trainees that may be engaged to ensure CART meets all deliverables for the CART Access Project. These duties may include training and supervising research assistants, students, and volunteers involved in the project, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor degree required and Masters degree in a relevant discipline preferred, or equivalent work experience in an academic, research, or health care environment. Research experience in any of the fields of Social / Health Sciences, Gender and Healthcare, and or policy. Keen interest in abortion and contraception research. Experience working within collaborative environments. Computer experience and competency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Endnote. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods and qualitative data analysis (e.g. NVIVO, REDCap) will be an asset. Excellent command of the English language with a strong ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to compose correspondence using clear, concise business English. Ability to communicate information in a way that is understandable to a broad audience. Ability to multi-task, set priorities, time-manage, and problem-solve. Ability to identify problems early and elevate issues as appropriate. High degree of thoroughness, accuracy, and attention to detail. Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to anticipate problems and issues and to plan ahead. Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. Ability to work independently and demonstrate high level of initiative and self-directedness.