Pay: CA$28.00 per hour
Job description:
Please provide Cover Letter and Resume outlining how you meet the requirements of the position.
Pay: Up to CA$50,960.00 per year
Job Description
Research Assistant – Accessible Housing in First Nation Communities
Location: In-Person, IDC/BCANDS Office – 130 Alberta Street, Ottawa Ontario
Hours of Work: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Compensation: $28.00 an hour (35-hour work week)
Term: Temporary/Term Position – Position ends March 31st, 2027
Organization Overview
Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / B.C Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) is a national, Indigenous disability organization committed to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and human rights for Indigenous Peoples with disabilities across Canada.
Our Mission – “Advancing the unique disability and health priorities of Indigenous Peoples through collaboration, consultation, and the delivery of comprehensive client services.”
Our Vision – “An inclusive and accessible Canada for all Indigenous Peoples and families living with disabilities where their disability and health priorities/needs are identified, planned for and addressed through relevant and holistic programs and services.”
Project Overview
This research project centers the lived experiences of First Nation Peoples with disabilities to examine the current state of accessible housing within participating First Nation communities across Canada. This project will identify best practices, gaps, and barriers related to accessible housing, and will generate evidence-informed recommendations to support the development of accessibility standards and housing policies, for examination and incorporation by interested communities, leadership and regulatory bodies.
Position Summary
The Research Assistant will play a key role in supporting the delivery of a national research project focused on accessible housing in First Nation communities. The Research Assistant, under the direction of the National Coordinator, will collaborate with IDC/BCANDS leadership and project Researchers, persons with disabilities, First Nation communities, and project partners to support research activities as assigned.
The successful candidate will approach this work through an accessibility, inclusion, intersectional, and Indigenous rights lens, while demonstrating respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, lived-experience expertise, and community-driven research practices.
This is an in-person, on-site position with no remote work options. Working hours are designated from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays and other holidays recognized by IDC/BCANDS. Compensation for this role shall be set at $28.00 per hour and includes benefits in accordance with the IDC/BCANDS benefit plan, which will be accessible following the successful completion of a mandatory probationary period. The Research Assistant will be a member of the union and will be required to pay relevant union dues and other mandatory employment-related deductions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities (not all encompassing)
The Research Assistant will support the Researchers/Project, as directed, in the following core areas:
Research & Analysis
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research related to accessible housing in First Nation communities
- Review and analyze relevant legislation, policies, standards, and frameworks, and existing research, including AFN reports and IDC/BCANDS prior projects (e.g., VisitAble Housing, Path to Inclusion)
- Identify gaps, barriers, best practices, and emerging themes related to accessible housing and community accessibility
- Must be able to produce accurate and original work, without the assistance of AI
Community & Partner Engagement
- Participate in in-person and virtual engagement sessions with First Nation communities, leadership, Elders, and persons with disabilities
- Assist with the development and facilitation of engagement tools, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, and virtual sessions
- Work collaboratively with project partners, advisory committee members, and persons with disabilities
- Ensure the meaningful involvement of persons with disabilities throughout the research process
Reporting & Knowledge Mobilization
- Assist in drafting research summaries, briefing notes, interim reports, and a comprehensive final research report
- Contribute to the development of clear, practical recommendations for First Nation housing policies, federal/provincial/territorial housing, and broad accessibility standards as it relates to housing
- Support the preparation of materials to be shared with government bodies, First Nation partners, and other interested stakeholders
- Ensure research outputs are accessible and reflect community voices and lived experience
Project Support
- Participate in project planning meetings and internal team discussions
- Track research activities and contribute to project timelines and deliverables
- Uphold ethical research practices, including confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural safety
· As a team member, assist in the other activities of the organization as required/requested/directed.
Required/Desired Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., Indigenous studies, disability studies, public policy, architecture, design, engineering, and specialized accessibility standards). A combination of acceptable education and experience may be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in community-based research focusing on accessibility and accessible housing, including strong analytical and report writing skills (faithful representation of participants' voices, briefing notes, summaries, technical reports)
- Knowledge and experience working with federal, provincial/territorial accessibility and housing legislation, policies, and standards (e.g., provincial accessibility legislation, housing and infrastructure frameworks)
- Understanding of First Nation governance, First Nation housing contexts, and policy
- Experience working respectfully with Indigenous communities, Elders, and/or Indigenous Peoples with disabilities and persons with disabilities
- Strong communication skills (written and oral), including public speaking and engagement with diverse audiences in both virtual and in-person settings
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related digital tools; experience developing presentations or visual materials is an asset
- Physically and mentally able to perform the requirements of the position during the life of the project, and able to work in a fast-paced and, at times, emotionally charged environment
- Proven ability to be at work consistently, on time, and on task
- Valid Class V driver’s licence, with access daily to a reliable personal vehicle during the week, and ability to travel inter-provincially as required/directed
- Acceptable criminal background record check, including working with children and vulnerable adults
Desired Skills and Abilities
- Leadership, Teamwork, and Co-operation: Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work co-operatively, positively and successfully with diverse individuals and teams within IDC/BCANDS and externally to achieve project goals, outcomes and deadlines. Able to take initiative, work collaboratively, and contribute to shared decision-making while working respectfully with First Nation communities, Elders, persons with disabilities, partner organizations, and government representatives. Demonstrated respect for diverse backgrounds, histories, lived experiences, and perspectives. Demonstrated conflict resolution ability when faced with challenging situations and divergent views, negating further escalation.
- Mentality for Success: Genuinely wants to make the project a success, and not just a job. Looks for opportunity and positive outcomes, not just the bare minimum.
- Solicits Input: Genuinely values others’ input and expertise and is willing to learn from clients, supervisors, peers, and community members. Actively solicits ideas and opinions to inform decisions and promotes team, interagency, and multi-jurisdictional collaboration.
- Flexibility: Willingness and ability to adapt and work effectively in a variety of situations and with diverse individuals and groups, respecting other people’s opinions and directives/instructions/authority from supervisors.
- Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze complex and sensitive issues, organize information, identify underlying causes, and develop practical, culturally appropriate solutions and recommendations, without AI.
- Emotional Resilience and Professional Judgment: Has emotional maturity, tenacity, and resiliency when working in fast-paced and, at times, emotionally charged environments and with people. Able to navigate sensitive topics, trauma-informed conversations, and competing priorities while maintaining professionalism, empathy, and boundaries.
- Information Seeking: Demonstrates curiosity and a desire to continuously learn more about issues, people, policies, and practices related to accessibility and housing.
- Fluency in French is considered an asset.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume outlining their professional and/or lived experience and why they feel they would be a desirable candidate for this position. Applications that do not include a cover letter may not be considered.
IDC/BCANDS welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, women, and members of visible minorities.
As per Section 7 of the Employment Equity Act, preference may be given to Indigenous candidates and/or persons with disabilities.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: Ends March 31, 2027
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person - No remote work.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
Pay: Up to $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
