Advocacy Research & Policy Assistant (Student Position)

Mohawk Students' Association; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A student advocacy organization in Hamilton, Ontario seeks an Advocacy Research & Policy Assistant. This part-time role involves facilitating feedback from students to inform advocacy initiatives and supporting research related to equity, diversity and inclusion. The ideal candidate will be a current Mohawk College student, highly organized, and passionate about student success, working collaboratively within diverse teams.

Benefits

Student Benefits

Option to enroll in the CAAT Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Wellbeing Initiatives

Qualifications

• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with primary and secondary research methods is an asset.
• Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Create opportunities for feedback gathering from students.
• Support research efforts to understand student concerns.
• Coordinate student engagement and feedback across multiple campuses.

Skills

Research methods

Communication

Data analysis

Empathy

Organizational skills

Education

Currently enrolled in a Mohawk College program

Second year or above student in relevant program

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital research tools

Job description

Overview

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The Mohawk Students Association exists to ensure all Mohawk Students achieve personal success in their college experience and beyond. We empower Mohawk Students to create a community they can lean on for positive experiences, relevant supports, a listening ear and a strong voice so they can achieve personal success in their college experience and beyond.

Led by the Executive Director and an elected Student Board of Directors (BOD), we are a non-profit organization that supports students through our mission:

Advocacy & Leadership

Engagement & Support

Sustainability & Operations

While we are a separate organization from Mohawk College, we work collaboratively with the college to reach our goals.

MY MSA TEAM

We live our values to ensure we achieve our Student-Driven Vision and Mission. In This Together we collaborate in transformative ways within and beyond our departments, helping wherever we are needed. We Believe it’s Possible by focusing on outcomes rather than outputs. We prioritize Foster Belonging where all staff members feel purposeful and supported as their authentic selves. And we share and learn through the power of Storytelling.

MY GOVERNANCE & ADVOCACY TEAM

As an integral part of the Mohawk Students Association, the Governance & Advocacy Team provides opportunities to support equity, diversity and inclusion on- and off-campus for Mohawk College students. By ensuring we understand the needs of students through their lived experiences, our Board of Directors have the processes, supports and resources to effectively govern and advocate on behalf of our membership (students like you!).

At the end of the day, watching students succeed and knowing that we played a part in that success is the best part of our job.

What You Do

As the Advocacy Research & Policy Assistant you create and facilitate opportunities for feedback gathering to listen to students’ questions and concerns. You are responsible for obtaining the information and data that underlie and inform evidence-based advocacy initiatives to provide better supports, campaigns, recommendations for potential proactive services and/or projects. You build upon a large data set, furthering the understanding of students’ needs, wants and identified areas of concern.

Because you are a student you also contribute to the MSA’s area of focus around advocacy and leadership by providing your own lived experience as well as common issues and concerns amongst the larger student population both on- and off-campus.

This role works collaboratively to ensure the success of all departments because we are in this together.

What Success Looks Like in This Role :

You thrive on helping your fellow students and building connections with others on campus that prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion. You ensure that students have a platform and a safe space to tell us what they need and how they would like to see change. You play an active role within the Governance & Advocacy team to ensure that students at your campus are engaged, informed, empowered, represented and feel included at the MSA and Mohawk College.

Primary Accountabilities :

• Build trust between the MSA and Mohawk College students.
• Supports organization-wide projects, advocacy and goals by conducting high-quality research and evaluation.
• Engages with all MSA departments to support the development and implementation of research projects aligned with organizational priorities and initiatives as related to the strategic plan and Board advocacy.
• Communicates research findings to MSA and Mohawk College students for further feedback and development of actionable recommendations.

HOW YOU DO IT

Responsibilities :

Advocacy Research and Policy Development

Supports the research efforts of the MSA following the direction of the MSA Board of Directors and their identified advocacy priorities.

Supports the research efforts of the MSA to understand student concerns and issues as they relate to EDI, Mohawk College, municipal, provincial or federal policies or activities, student affairs and more.

Supports the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research projects including but not limited to town halls, surveying, pop-ups, tabling and other research methodologies.

Coordinates opportunities for student engagement and feedback gathering across all campuses (Fennell Stoney Creek IAHS Six Nations Polytechnic Airport and Mississauga).

Facilitates the ethical collection, management and storage of sensitive data related to the student experience, advocacy and feedback.

Supports data analysis and interpretation of collected feedback through report writing and presentations to the MSA Board of Directors, MSA staff, Mohawk College staff and students at large.

Supports the creation and writing of policy and position statements related to the MSA Board of Directors’ advocacy priorities, available research and literature, and collected feedback from Mohawk College students.

Supports advocacy campaigns related to current student concerns; providing information, awareness and opportunities for students to give feedback.

Creates reports with Governance & Advocacy Specialist through research endeavors combined with collected feedback and analytics for further discussion and action.

Present reports with Governance & Advocacy Specialist for MSA staff and Board, Mohawk College departments and the larger student population highlighting the collected feedback and analytics for further discussion and action.

What you Need in Education Experience and Training for your Department :

Currently enrolled in a Mohawk College program

In good standing with the College

Second year or above student (Paralegal, Social Service Worker, Graduate Certificate Programs, Communications / Journalism, Community and Justice Services, Public Relations or any interdisciplinary / human services related program)

Legally eligible to work in Canada.

Comfortable engaging with diverse groups of individuals with diverse needs.

Experience with primary and secondary research methods such as methodological design, instrument selection, statistical analysis and results interpretation is considered an asset.

Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and how those areas affect students.

Understanding of underrepresented groups and the intersectionality at post-secondary institutions.

Understanding of human rights and social justice movements as they relate to student populations.

Understanding of political frameworks that intersect with students from a municipal, provincial or federal landscape.

Preference, although not a requirement, is given to folks who identify as part of an underrepresented group(s).

What Knowledge Skills and Attitudes that you require :

Passion for working for and with post-secondary students.

Empathy for underrepresented student groups.

Proficient in a digital environment (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel).

Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment.

Ability to work collaboratively or independently.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Good organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills.

Ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.

Ability to engage in research using digital and print resources.

Ability to accurately report research findings through written and verbal methods.

Positive energy and attitude.

Willingness to cultivate, learn or further develop skills related to research integrity, data analysis, communication and interpretation.

Physical Demands / Work Environment :

Able to work in a variety of on-campus settings that may involve sitting, standing, lifting and transporting

Schedule(s) will be based on business needs.

Standard work hours are 0-15 hours per week. This may include evenings and weekends occasionally.

Should availability change due to commitment or academic schedule we cannot guarantee hours or accommodations.

Able to sit / stand for prolonged periods of time.

At MSA we prioritize both our operational needs and the well-being of our students. Our schedules are crafted to meet the business requirements while considering the availability of our students, ensuring a harmonious balance that supports both the organizations goals and individual commitments. We understand that circumstances can change and if your availability or schedule needs to be adjusted during your contract we encourage open communication. Please be aware that such changes might affect our ability to offer you future shifts as we strive to maintain optimal support for our operations. Our approach reflects our commitment to mutual respect, flexibility and maintaining a supportive environment for all.

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

This position is entitled to the following comprehensive compensation package:

Student Benefits.

Option to enroll in the CAAT Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Staff Wellbeing Initiatives.

Celebrate an Individuals Authentic Self.

Work Culture that prioritizes that staff have a voice, feel a sense of belonging and have fun together.

ACCESSIBILITY

As part of our commitment to accessibility for all persons with disabilities, the MSA will, upon the request of the candidate, provide accommodation.

Should you require accommodation at any point during the appointment/interview process with the MSA please contact People and Culture at

EQUITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The MSA seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives and especially seeks applications from Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply using the link provided, including a resume and contact information with your application.

The interview process will begin in late July or early August and the posting will remain open until late July. Preferred start date would be mid August.

Key Skills

Logistics & Procurement, Community Support, Fire And Safety Engineering, Informatica, Data Analysis

Employment Type : Part-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1