Job title:                                            Community Engagement Coordinator

Department:                                      CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network at the Providence Health Care Research Institute (PHCRI)

Location:                                           St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC

Salary:                                                Salary commensurate with experience; competitive benefits package including four weeks of paid vacation to start, extended health and dental plans, and membership in the Municipal Pension Plan

Desired Start Date:                           As soon as possible

Full/Part-time:                                   Full-time

Term:                                                 The duration of this position is expected to be for one year and renewable, dependent on grant funding. The employment status is permanent; however, all research positions are subject to grant funding continuing to be available.

Possibility of Extension:               Yes, dependent on grant funding

Application Closing Date:             February 1, 2021

How to Apply:                                 Interested candidates should email their resume with cover letter to

Equity and diversity are essential to research and academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or a person who identifies as First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous.

Please Note: The incumbent must be a person living with HIV and be comfortable disclosing their HIV status. During engagement initiatives and consultations, disclosure may be involuntary in settings with other people living with HIV.

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Job Summary

The Community Engagement Coordinator will support the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Cross-Core Community Collaboration (C4) Teams in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of community engagement initiatives, and provide overall administrative support to the CAC and C4 Teams, at the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). The incumbent will facilitate and participate in the engagement of key populations of people living with HIV across Canada. Using a wide variety of tools, techniques and skills, the Community Engagement Coordinator supports the CAC and C4 Teams in developing opportunities for dialogue and nurturing relationships with community members. For the purpose of this role, the Community Engagement Coordinator will have lived experience with HIV.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will ensure engagement initiatives align with the CAC and C4 Teams’ values and principles of community engagement, including inclusion and diversity, mutual trust, respect and accountability, equity, healthy relationships, and knowledge creation.

The CTN is an innovative partnership of clinical investigators, physicians, nurses, people living with HIV/AIDS, pharmaceutical manufacturers and others that facilitate HIV clinical trials of the highest scientific and ethical standards. Established in 1990 as a cornerstone of the federal AIDS Strategy, the CTN is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and jointly sponsored by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and St. Paul’s Hospital (Providence Health Care) in Vancouver.

This position has broad-reaching contact across the Network, including with local and national external organizations, and within local and national communities.

Working with a cooperative team of HIV researchers and staff based at St. Paul’s Hospital, the incumbent will collaborate with others to perform a variety of activities. The incumbent will work closely with staff including researchers, epidemiologists, research coordinators and assistants, graduate students and fellows. The position requires interaction and participation with communities of people living with HIV and related organizations through ongoing communication and consultation activities.

Work Performed

• In conjunction with the CAC and C4 Teams membership, plan, facilitate, and participate in engagement programs and consultations for people living with HIV from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Harness a wide range of engagement techniques, including in-person or virtual workshops, open houses, surveys, and online feedback.
• Utilize strong administrative skills to support the initiatives of the CAC and C4 Teams.
• Research, develop, and implement strategies to reach members of the community who may experience barriers in accessing resources for people living with HIV.
• Facilitate dialogue with community members, external organizations, and researchers that encourage a diversity of perspectives. Assist in creating opportunities for those who participate in engagement activities to shape the outcomes of future engagement plans and HIV research.
• Develop strong rapport and relationships with external organizations and groups, and members of the community to allow for open and constructive communication for the purpose of improving positive engagement in research for people living with HIV.
• Evaluate and adjust engagement initiatives based on feedback from participants, stakeholders, and CAC and C4 Teams members.
• Organize and participate in team teleconferences with the CAC and C4 Teams, which include people living with HIV, clinicians, and researchers.
• Record, summarize, and present notes from engagement events to the C4 Teams and CAC. Initiate reports summarizing engagement initiatives.
• Organize, schedule, and take minutes for the CAC and C4 Team meetings.
• Facilitate community meetings and internal meetings, as required.
• Ensure all engagement activities are compliant with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Act as a spokesperson for the CAC and C4 Teams on engagement initiatives, when required.
• Exercise a high level of diplomacy and discretion in all interactions.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Reports to Dr. Cathy Worthington, Team Lead, C4 Teams and Kristin Westland, Chief Administrative Officer, CTN. Works closely with and takes direction from the Chair of the Community Advisory Committee (currently, Mr. Enrico Mandarino), and C4 Teams Co-Chair (to be selected).

Supervision Given

This position does not include supervision of other staff.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position works with a high degree of independence and responsibility. Errors in judgment could result in reputational consequences for the Network, undermining CTN’s ability to meet commitments and achieve our strategic objectives. Failure to maintain information in confidence could result in damage to credibility and poor relations with internal and external stakeholders. Poor public/private sector relationships could result in a negative image of the CTN, and may impact levels of research funding made available through partnerships.

Working Conditions

We are predominantly working from home during the COVID-19 research curtailment period and while protocols for physical distancing remain in place. The position is typically based at the CTN National Centre located at St. Paul's Hospital. The incumbent will be provided with appropriate work space. Travel to meetings and conferences may be required from time to time.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. A minimum of 5 years of experience working in an administrative role that required strong organization, communication, and writing skills. Being comfortable with and/or experience in a community engagement role dealing with local communities, stakeholder groups and the general public preferred. Experience working with organizations that support people living with HIV an asset. Has the ability to facilitate effective and diverse community consultations, programs, and initiatives. Additionally:

• Strong administrative skills including meeting organization, letter writing, minute-taking, and experience with standard business communication formats.
• Excellent verbal, writing, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized.
• English fluency is required.
• Fluency in French is an asset.
• Keen attention to discretion, confidentiality, and tact.
• Sensitivity towards issues of homophobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of stigma and discrimination.
• The incumbent must be a person living with HIV and be comfortable disclosing their HIV status. During engagement initiatives and consultations, disclosure may be involuntary in settings with other people living with HIV.
  
  

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.