Knowledge Mobilization Officer Position Opening

We are excited to share the following opening for the position of Knowledge Mobilization Officer, Knowledge Brokering for Health and Wellness with the United Way of York Region and York University. Here is a summary of the position:

Position Type
Contract – one year, with a possibility of renewal

Start Date
September 2011

Hours
8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

Salary
Commensurate with experience

Closing Date for Applications
July 29, 2011

Job Purpose
Based in the United Way of York Region (UWYR) head office in Markham and working in partnership with York University’s Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Unit, the Knowledge Mobilization Officer will be responsible for the development and delivery of community-based KMb services in York Region to maximize the impact of university research on public policy and professional practice, specifically in the area of social determinants of health. The Knowledge Mobilization Officer will have active liaison with York Region human service agencies and municipalities, community leaders, social entrepreneurs, York University (York U) faculty, students and staff within York U’s KMb Unit.  The position will be guided by the successful Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant – “Community-Based Knowledge Brokering to Affect Social Determinants of Health in York Region”.
Knowledge Mobilization Officer will report to the Director, Community Investment, UWYR and involve regular communication and interface with the Director, Research Services and Knowledge Exchange, York U, Co-Lead of this York U and UWYR partnership as well as with the Manager, Knowledge Mobilization for York University.

Functions and Duties
A. Engaging and Partnering
The broker will actively disseminate research to and build relationships with diverse audiences in community and municipal settings, building on the successes of York University’s Knowledge Broker model and UWYR’s Community Engagement and Research practices.  The focus will be on Social Determinants of Health in York Region.  The following activities will support this objective:

• Municipal and Community Meetings – these meetings will create awareness for the project and help solicit priority areas in other activity roll out.

• Community KM in the AM/Meeting House – regular thematic meetings will link York U researchers, municipal and community leaders, corporate champions and social entrepreneurs in identified priority areas.

• Knowledge Brokering – the broker will solicit new project ideas based on York Region community agency strengths and opportunities as well as via York U’s Research Help Desk model that build collaborative relationships between community leaders and researchers.

• Expo – Based on York U’s Annual KMb Expo, the broker will coordinate events that will showcase project success and support a collaborative platform for future projects/collaborations.

B. Communication and Access
Utilizing an existing KMb ‘Tool Box’, the broker will support community-led activity that enhances community access to academic research to help inform decisions about community health services and health policy.

• Social Media – York U will share its success in various social media platforms to support collaboration in research and knowledge based initiatives.

• Clear Language Summaries – the broker will solicit key community reports/research initiatives (grey literature) and these will be systematically placed in a pipeline at York U for development into ResearchSnapshots, or, clear language lay summaries of the report/research.

• Blogging – the broker will contribute blog entries to the Knowledge Mobilization blog, Mobilize This! by writing 200-500 word stories on announcements and activities pertaining to this opportunity.

C. Training and Capacity Building

• The broker will actively solicit training and development opportunities and work with York U brokers and UWYR Community Leadership Resources staff to support training and development opportunities for York Region human service agencies, community leaders and socially-focused entrepreneurs and collaboratives.

D. Other duties

• Governance – the broker will provide key staff support for an advisory body that helps guide this project.

• Financial – the broker will develop and track the project budget, monitor and report on expenses and identify any issues as they arise.

• Evaluation: the broker will collaborate with York University and UWYR resources and expertise to collect and analyze data to inform evaluation of this and related KMb initiatives.

• Perform other duties as required to achieve the objectives of this partnership initiative.

Educational Requirements
Post- secondary education in Social Science or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Experience Requirements
Experience with social service agencies and community organizations in York Region required.  Experience working in or with a university research enterprise desired.

Technical/Interpersonal Skills

• Microsoft Office software an asset

• Use of web and social media experience required

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Superior presentation skills

• Ability to organize events, meetings and project plans

• Ability to bring diverse interests to consensus in a collegial and diplomatic fashion

• Ability to travel throughout York Region required. Willingness and ability to perform occasional evening and weekend duties, if required.

Application Process Details
Please respond with cover letter, résumé, expected salary, and the names and contact information of at least two references.
Please ensure that “Knowledge Mobilization Officer” is quoted in e-mail subject lines and all hard copy applications.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Priority consideration is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Canada. York University is committed to Employment Equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

Applications should be submitted to
Hiring Committee
Email – hiring@uwyr.on.ca