Project: The Future of Volunteerism: Research

Type: Part Time, Contract (May 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021), flexible hours

Salary: $9,000

Location: Remote

Description

Do you want to work in an upbeat and vibrant organization focused on social good? Are you interested in developing innovative and creative ways of reaching diverse groups throughout the province to provide services, share knowledge, and make connections? Are you at your best in a fast paced and productive work environment? Are you looking to put your wide range of skill sets to work on interesting projects? Join Volunteer Alberta and help build strength and capacity in Alberta’s nonprofit/voluntary sector.

Volunteer Alberta is seeking a research coordinator to support our work with Boys and Girls Clubs/Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton on the future of volunteerism. With growing changes to society, cultures, and demographics, the current BGCBigs recruitment model lacks experience with growing trends. It is important to understand the motivations behind a volunteer today, and to find ways to encourage volunteering in our communities.

BGCBigs has determined a need for a new strategy to recruit more volunteers to be there for children and their families.  Volunteer Alberta (VA) will support BGCBigs in three major volunteer recruitment focus areas that drive their overall volunteering strategy:

1. What will volunteerism look like in the next 3-5 years and how are they innovating program design to meet the needs of volunteer priorities?
2. What will shape their volunteer program to support the large population of our newcomer and immigrant kids to Edmonton?
3. How will they work with Indigenous leaders and organizations to increase the number of Indigenous volunteers?

This project will start with an environmental scan to establish a baseline of information about changes in volunteering prior to and during the pandemic. This secondary research will gather relevant quantitative and quantitative data from other local, provincial, and national sources to inform the final report. This phase will rely heavily, but not exclusively, on sourcing and reviewing data from relevant stakeholders in VA’s networks.

You will then engage in focused conversations with various nonprofit organizations that offer mentorship programs, target newcomer youth, and work with Indigenous volunteers.  You will need to speak with volunteer managers and volunteers throughout the Edmonton region and across Alberta. The goal of these conversations is to identify successful volunteer practices during the pandemic, to predict lasting changes and to identify any barriers to engagement for the next 3-5 years. This phase will rely heavily on focus groups and interviews, but other research methods may be undertaken depending on the needs of the project.

Deliverables and Timeline

During the contract term, you’d be responsible for the following deliverables and schedule.

1. Initial meeting with BGCBigs
2. Determine research ethics and methodology, and the need for advisory group
   May 3 to May 7
   
   
3. Complete environmental scan – secondary research
   May 10 to June 7
   
   
4. Complete community-based research – primary research
   May 31 to July 23
   
   
5. Draft report submitted to BGCBigs to identify areas of the report that require additional research or clarification
   Draft due Aug 20
   
   
6. Follow-up research and report finalization
7. Determine how to share the findings with the broader sector
   August 23 to 31
   
   
8. Final report and presentation to BGCBigs
   Final report due Sept 18

Required Qualifications

• Post-Secondary degree/diploma in political science, community engagement, or a related field. In lieu of a degree or diploma, related experience will also be considered.
• Strong, demonstrated background in stakeholder engagement and community-based primary research
• Strong, demonstrated background in secondary research, data analysis, and reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient project management skills
• Experience using online convening platforms (e.g. Zoom, GoToMeeting)
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships
• Knowledge of the nonprofit/voluntary sector, client groups and/or related issues concerning volunteerism and civic engagement
• Proficient computer/technology skills (e.g. MS Office, project management software, online databases)
• Adaptability and ability to learn on the job, creative problem-solving, solution oriented
• Self-motivated, demonstrating creative problem solving, and a positive attitude
• High degree of accuracy and the ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
• Must be eligible to work in Canada (i.e., citizen/landed immigrant)

Desirable Qualifications

• Basic experience with nonprofit evaluation mechanisms (e.g. logic models, theories of change)
• Presentation and/or facilitation skills
• Experience using Survey Monkey, online registration systems (Eventbrite), Google applications
• Experience working in a nonprofit/voluntary sector organization
• Experience as a volunteer

Application Deadline: April 13, 2021