Status: 18-20 hours per week, one year with possible renewal
Location:Toronto (Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto)
Start: Immediately
Please email resume and covering letter [email protected]
Background information on research program to identify policy interventions to reduce household food insecurity
Household food insecurity is a serious population health problem, affecting almost one-in-ten Canadians. It is associated with a wide array of negative health outcomes including heightened nutritional vulnerability; poorer physical, social, and mental health; increased likelihood of several chronic conditions including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and major depression; and poorer management of these conditions. To date, the primary responses to household food insecurity in Canada have been community-based initiatives, including a broad expanse of extra-governmental charitable food assistance programs (e.g., food banks, meal programs, children’s breakfast programs) and various smaller-scale community food programs. Given their limitations in size and scope, they are unable to have a major impact on the population prevalence or severity of household food insecurity. However, we currently lack the empirical evidence necessary to define more effective interventions.
Through an intensive analysis of Canadian population survey data, supported by US population survey comparisons, and an in-depth interpretive analysis of the Canadian policy context, we will delineate the conditions that produce and mitigate household food insecurity; elucidate the impact of specific policy interventions on the population prevalence of household food insecurity; estimate the health consequences, health care costs, and broader societal costs associated with this problem; and identify the necessary policy environment and tools for successful intervention.
This program of research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and will be accomplished by an international, interdisciplinary team of researchers, working in partnership with key federal departments and several national non-governmental organizations with an expressed commitment to the reduction of household food insecurity. We are mobilized by the shared recognition that action to address household food insecurity is presently impeded by our lack of knowledge about what constitutes viable and effective policy intervention.
Responsibilities
- Work with projects and initiatives throughout the research program to lead the development and implementation of knowledge exchange strategies;
- Work with the research team to summarize research findings and elucidate actionable messages to form the basis of appropriate knowledge exchange products, tools or activities to inform policy and program development;
- Lead consultations with knowledge-user partners to share evidence and knowledge and develop capacity through knowledge translation;
- Identify and bring together key partners, policy makers, and subject-matter experts to share evidence, knowledge and strategies to build the foundation for effective interventions to address household food insecurity;
- Lead collaboration efforts with a variety of stakeholders to negotiate creative, practical and relevant approaches to knowledge exchange for long-term solutions;
Skills, Experience, and Attributes
- An understanding of the Canadian policy environment as it relates to issues of poverty, food insecurity, and health;
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication and presentation skills;
- Experience writing for the web and creating plain language documents;
- Experience in stakeholder consultation through surveys, focus groups, social media, etc.
- Experience working within research environments
- Experience in meeting and conference planning;
- Experience with various software (e.g., word processing, social media);
- Experience in developing, and implementing knowledge exchange strategies;
- Ability to work flexibly and take on a variety of tasks as a member of a small team;
- Ability to set priorities and manage a heavy workload;
- Ability to take initiative, work independently and accountably in a positive manner;
- Excellent planning and time management skills, with ability to multi‐task, produce and coordinate projects with tight deadlines;
The successful candidate will have a Master’s degree in health sciences, public health or a related field with five years of related experience and at least one year of experience in knowledge translation and group facilitation.