Knowledge Mobilization and Community Engagement Specialist
The Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children (Leong Centre) is a research centre affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics and the Temerty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and has a vision of “harnessing interdisciplinary research to promote the flourishing of every child and family”.
Reporting to the Research Program Manager and working closely with the Co-Directors, the Knowledge Mobilization and Community Engagement Specialist will be responsible for supporting integrated knowledge exchange, the management and mobilization of knowledge amongst researchers, knowledge users, policy makers, community members, and other Leong Centre stakeholders, as appropriate. A large part of this position will be focused on support for community and community engagement strategies for researchers in the Leong Centre, as well as supporting an overall communications strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading communications and public engagement activities in research and corporate initiatives, working directly with scientists and stakeholders to support integrated knowledge translation in research. The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience and success empowering communities, policy makers and researchers to support and utilize child health equity research.
The Hospital has a Flexibility Workplace Policy that may include work from home options based on departmental needs.
Here’s what you get to do:
- Support development and implementation of community engagement and knowledge mobilization strategies:
- Develop an integrated knowledge mobilization (KM) strategy to support the Leong Centre
- Scope and assess existing KM activities among Leong Centre members and researchers, provide guidance to develop community engagement and/or KM plans, and incorporate public and relevant community stakeholders’ perspectives into their projects
- Identify opportunities and independently develop mechanisms for community engagement and/or KM within Leong Centre initiatives and research projects with public, policy makers, and health system stakeholders
- Compile and maintain inventories of KM and public engagement best practices, literature, tools, resources and capacity building materials
- Assist with the creation of a Community Engagement Advisory, and support facilitation and organization of meetings and other public engagement initiatives
- Contribute to the development of key performance indicators, monitor implementation and evaluate engagement/KM process and sustainability
- Support the creation and dissemination of KM products including presentations, articles, reports and information for internal and external use, adhering to Leong Centre style guide and branding practices
- Provide consultation service to internal stakeholders, including educators, clinicians, and researchers, requiring advice and guidance related to KT, implementation, research utilization and evidence-based practice
- Support implementation, monitoring and uptake of Leong Centre communications strategy:
- Collaborate with the Co-Directors, Research Program Manager, and other staff to develop and implement the communication and activity goals for the Leong Centre
- Support the management of the Leong Centre website and production of social media content including, but not limited to Twitter, e-newsletters, reports, and events – ensures that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly.
- Act as primary communications liaison, working with SickKids, University of Toronto, and SickKids Foundation communications teams to coordinate announcements, events, annual reports, etc.
Here’s what you need:
- Master’s degree in Social Science, Science, Health Policy, Public Health, Communications, Journalism or a related area with the demonstrated ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. Candidates with Bachelor’s degree with significant experience are welcome to apply.
- Minimum five years of public/community engagement experience within the healthcare or research sector
- Thorough understanding of all aspects of knowledge mobilization (e.g., generation, synthesis, product development, knowledge translation and exchange, dissemination, management, evaluation) and ability to clearly explain and educate researchers on best practices
- Strong grasp of community-engaged research practices (e.g. Community-Based Participatory Action Research)
- Experience working on collaborative projects with researchers, health professionals, partners and/or other stakeholder groups/organizations, including community organizations and policymakers
- Strong written and verbal communications skills, creativity, and the proven ability to understand and translate scientific literature into lay language for both general and targeted audiences
- Knowledge of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement processes, and proven ability to support development of high-quality communications materials with timely, relevant, accurate content across all Leong Centre platforms
- Strong facilitation skills, comfortable with running large group interactive discussions virtually and in-person and proven ability to create welcome and comfortable space for difficult conversations with diverse audiences
- Exceptional attention to detail, a professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills to engage diverse audiences and build partnerships/collaborations between diverse groups of stakeholders from a variety of sectors
- A demonstrated passion for the promotion of child health, social determinants of health and/or inequity in childhood
- Ability to work as part of a collaborative team as well as take initiative independently
- Strong organizational skills and the proven ability to manage multiple projects, workflows and timelines
- Strong computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite, graphic design an asset
You can view the full description of this job opening and apply by following this link: