Training and Capacity Building Specialist, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; Hybrid; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare research center in Canada seeks a Training and Capacity Building Specialist to develop training materials and programs for researchers working with health data. The role focuses on building collaborative relationships with various partners and providing high-quality training to enhance capacity and knowledge. A minimum of five years’ experience in health research and a relevant university degree are required. This position includes hybrid work options and offers a competitive salary based on experience and education.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years’ relevant work experience.
• Strong understanding of health research processes.
• Experience in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop training materials and programs for researchers.
• Facilitate training workshops and meetings.
• Build relationships with key partners.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of business development

Training skills

Report writing

Excellent communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Dexterity with online meeting software

Education

Relevant university degree (marketing, communications, or administration)

Tools

Microsoft Office Software

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Training and Capacity Building Specialist, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research

Primary Purpose

The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research’s vision is working together for a healthier Saskatchewan through patient-oriented research (POR). POR brings patients and those around them (family, friends, and community) together as partners in research, along with health professionals, administrators and researchers. SCPOR is a group of partners that includes patients, academic institutions, government agencies and health organizations. Together, SCPOR will work on the Learning Health System (LHS), with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of patients and families and ensuring healthcare services are helping people. Patient Partners bring their knowledge and lived experiences to this research. SCPOR’s most significant impact will be to support the health system in its approaches to collecting and learning from health-related information to achieve system improvement.

Funded by the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) and Health Data Research Network (HDRN) Canada, The HRDP-SK is the first platform in Saskatchewan to integrate health data from multiple agencies, streamlining the process for researchers to access health data. Timely access to accurate and up-to-date health information delivers better patient care, and it has become increasingly important to use health data to expand our knowledge, conduct research, and evaluate and improve the delivery of health care services.

Nature of Work

Reporting to the Director, Health Research Data Platform – Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK), the Training and Capacity Building Specialist – HRDP-SK will work with HRDP-SK staff to support to the work of the platform.

The Training and Capacity Building Specialist – HRDP-SK is responsible for providing instructional design, delivery, and capacity building training and learning strategies for HRDP-SK. The Training and Capacity Building Specialist will use their knowledge of adult learning principles to develop training materials and programs to support researchers to effectively work with the Health Research Data Network and Health Research Data Platform-SK. The specialist is also responsible for providing leadership to promote high-quality project implementation, support excellent training service, targeted capacity building and user‑friendly resources and tools.

The Specialist will create strong working relationships with key partners, including researchers, health service providers, post‑secondary organizations, and SCPOR partners including: Saskatchewan Health Authority, eHealth Saskatchewan, Health Quality Council, First Nations University of Canada, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, and Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with other data access centres in Canada via HDRN is vital to the success for this role.

Accountabilities

Reporting to the Director – HRDP-SK, this position has the overall responsibilities of the continued development and implementation of a training and capacity building plan for prospective and current users and staff of the Health Research Data Platform – Saskatchewan.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributes to creating a learning culture. Communicates importance of learning and capacity building to internal and external stakeholders
• Provides technical support to staff and activity in the areas of training plan development, delivery, train‑the‑trainer, learning strategies, and training evaluation reports.
• Works collaboratively with content experts to develop training material, including but not limited to instructor guides, participant guides, and job aides.
• Supports the development of documentation, resources, and written materials relating to the training programs, including manuals development, updates, use, and refreshes, standard operating procedures, and workshop materials to support consistent quality assurance.
• Independently develops marketing materials for HRDP‑SK
• Consistently produces excellent quality work products
• Identifies learning methodologies, tools and programs that most effectively build the capacity of HRDP‑SK users
• Facilitates training workshops and meetings and is responsible for developing agendas to achieve stated objectives, documenting progress, agreements, and issues, and providing follow‑up assistance as required.
• Creates a pool of trained facilitators to lead various training sessions, lunch and learns, brown bags, and other types of learning opportunities.
• Coordinates skills training in management and leadership development initiatives for staff
• Manages internal and external training method including virtual sessions.
• Develops a system to track and monitor training attendance, completion of training modules, and knowledge acquisition by researchers, HRDP‑SK users and staff.
• Maintains and expands technical knowledge in instructional design and training delivery by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Seeks to build and foster relationships between partner organizations to:
  • Promote HRDP‑SK.
  • Exchange knowledge, encourage and support integration with HDRN workplan as applicable.

• Provide regular status updates to HDRN, HRDP‑SK and SCPOR leadership and partners.
• Other duties as assigned based on organizational priorities.

Education

A relevant university degree, preferably in marketing, communications or administration.

Experience

A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience or a combination of education and experience will be considered. A strong understanding of academia, health research and the research process would be considered a significant asset. Experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment is required.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of business development, marketing, knowledge of adult learning principles, training skills, report writing, and computer skills are required.
• Experience in website content development
• Excellent communication skills – both written and spoken English language skills are required; possess networking skills.
• Principled and self‑disciplined; ability to work individually and as a member of an interdisciplinary and cross‑sector team.
• Willingness and ability to build collaborations with a variety of stakeholders and work cultures; upholds respect for diversity and cultural safety.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills; respect for diversity; sensitivity, and empathy; relationship builder.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
• High level of professionalism; the ability to interact diplomatically and professionally with a variety of individuals within SCPOR, and with SCPOR’s partners and stakeholders.
• Possess dexterity in effectively maneuvering in difficult situations with competing interests.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain attention to detail and apply critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated dexterity in planning and setting goals, managing deadlines and multiple demands; ability to manage frequently shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to logistically track and follow up on action items. Strong organizational skills and attention to follow‑through.
• Demonstrated strong skills in online meeting software in platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams
• Demonstrate exceptional efficiency with Microsoft Office Software including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and pdf software.

This position is in scope of the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA).

Department

Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research

Status

Term until March 31, 2027 with the possibility of extension

Employment Group

ASPA

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Salary

The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable)

Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band

Phase 2

Posted Date

12/9/2025

Closing Date

1/5/2026 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings

1

Work Location

May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity‑deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.