NOW CLOSED: We're Hiring a Policy and Research Analyst

Position: Policy and Research Analyst

Reporting to: Executive Director

Organization Status: Full-time, contract

Salary: $45,000 (37.5 - 44 hours per week) + Benefits (Health, Dental, RRSP Matching)

Posted: November 15th, 2019

Closing: December 5th, 2019

Applications must include: Cover letter, resume, writing sample (1-2 pages)

Submit an application to: [email protected]

Who We Are

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) believes that any academically qualified student with the desire to pursue post-secondary education should not face a barrier, financial or otherwise, to obtaining that education. We are an alliance of 23 student associations from coast-to-coast, advocating that Canada’s post-secondary education system should be affordable, accessible, innovative, and of the highest quality.

Position Profile

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Policy and Research Analyst will manage numerous research projects ranging from political issue briefs to comprehensive reports.  The position will require regular research and writing for internal and external audiences. This position is responsible for gathering and interpreting information relating to post-secondary education in Canada at both the federal and interprovincial level, and the management and drafting of research documents as directed by the CASA membership. The Policy and Research Analyst will also be tasked with assisting CASA’s membership in drafting policy and research papers on a variety of topics in post-secondary education.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience
  • The ability to work in both official languages of Canada (French and English)
  • A thorough understanding of post-secondary education issues and social policy, as well as the way in which student governments operate
  • Excellent written, research, analytic, and organizational skills
  • Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to speak in front of a large crowd
  • Strong political acumen and knowledge of Canada’s federal government
  • Ability to use both Mac OS and Windows, as well as the Microsoft Office suite
  • A creative drive to develop new tactics and strategies for promoting students’ interests
  • Ability to work under pressure and solve complex problems
  • Ability and willingness to travel across Canada for conferences, presentations, and meetings
  • Fluency in both official languages in considered as an asset

Responsibilities

Research

  • Gathers, reads, analyzes and interprets topical federal and inter-provincial (as well as provincial and international) post-secondary education research, studies, and policy documents.
  • Provides research support to members and responds to information requests from other researchers as needed
  • Develops, coordinates, and manages CASA research initiatives based upon strategic direction given by the CASA membership through the Executive Director
  • Suggests and initiates research projects based on developing issues in post-secondary education.

Position and Policy Papers / Submissions

  • Reviews and develops policies and position statements/papers for CASA based upon direction set by the CASA membership through the Executive Director
  • Provides information support for presentations, government briefing packages, public relations materials, and other CASA publications
  • Provides policy development training to CASA’s membership

Committee Support

  • Prepares background documents, briefs, fact sheets, etc. on relevant topical post-secondary education issues for CASA committees as assigned by the Executive Director
  • Assists and advises CASA committees as assigned by the Executive Director in research activities and policy development
  • Assists with scheduling and organization of committees, and supports committee chairs and secretaries with knowledge of meeting procedures.

Office Support

  • Develops, maintains, and expands CASA’s resource base through a research library/archive of PSE relevant materials
  • Supports the maintenance and organization of CASA’s policy position files.

External Meetings, Conferences and Relations

  • Liaises with post-secondary education stakeholders, government agencies, CASA members and others in the pursuit of building positive relations, as well as collaborating on research and sharing information on issues in post-secondary education.
  • Looks for opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholder organizations and other groups in the post-secondary field.
  • Uses contact management database to record and share topics and outcomes of meetings, and track follow-up.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Assists in the preparation of presentations, government briefings packages, public relations materials, and other CASA publications.
  • Participating in conference planning including session design and facilitation.
  • In collaboration with Head Office and CASA members, plans, coordinates and implements CASA meeting/conference vision and goals
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Why Work at CASA?

  • Complete exciting and meaningful work, alongside an inclusive and supportive team
  • Make a real difference in post-secondary education in Canada and shape the organization for the better
  • Meet important political figures in Ottawa as well as inspiring young leaders
  • Flexible working culture
  • Benefits & RRSP matching
  • Convenient location in downtown Ottawa, close to public transportation and Parliament Hill
  • Become part of CASA’s extensive alumni network based across Canada, and have access to this network for advice/historical knowledge as needed throughout your term

Application Process

  • Mid-November/Early December: Applications will be screened to ensure that applicants meet the required qualifications based on education, experience, and other conditions of employment. Applicants must submit a writing sample in order to be considered for the position.
  • Mid-December: Successful candidates will be contacted for an in-person interview, after which the chosen applicant will be notified.
  • January 2020: The incoming Policy and Research Analyst will ideally begin appointment and transition.

Interested candidates are asked to submit their resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to [email protected]. All responses will be handled in the strictest confidence; however, only those who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

CASA is committed to employment equity and diversity, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. This includes women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation, and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. CASA can offer accessibility accommodations throughout the recruitment process, as needed. If you have accommodation needs at any stage of the recruitment process, please inform us by sending an email to [email protected].

CASA ACAE

About CASA ACAE

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations advocates for better post-secondary education and aims to improve the lives of students. L'Alliance canadienne des associations étudiantes défend les intérêts des étudiant(e)s.
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We're Hiring a Policy and Research Analyst
NOW CLOSED: We're Hiring a Policy and Research Analyst
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