Kids Help Phone is seeking a Knowledge Translation Writer. This position is based in Toronto and reports to the Director, Knowledge Mobilization and Program Development. Applications are due Friday March 20 at www.kidshelpphone.ca (Organization site – About Us – Careers).
THE ORGANIZATION:
Kids Help Phone is a Canadian and world leader, known for our expertise in providing vital, innovative counselling services to children and youth. Since 1989 we have offered children, teens and young adults in Canada a critical lifeline of hope and support, through our free, anonymous and confidential service. Our professional counsellors support the mental health and well-being of young people ages five to 20, in urban, rural, and remote communities, by providing one-on-one counselling, information and resources online and by phone. Our internationally recognized, award-winning websites are considered a model of child-focused interactive design, and offer online counselling forums and engaging, therapeutic games, tools and information to encourage resilience and self-care. A community-based national charity, Kids Help Phone receives no ongoing financial support from government or any larger funder and relies on community and corporate support to keep our essential service available. We’re there for the 6.5 million young people in Canada, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year, in English and in French.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
We are looking for an experienced individual who understands what relevant, up-to-date information counsellors need to perform their job and who has the ability to write knowledge documents that meet those needs. Our professional counsellors work with clients via phone and online, every day and have no prior knowledge, before the contact is established, of what the issue for the client will be. Therefore, it is extremely important that our counsellors have the newest, most relevant information at their fingertips in order to assist our clients with whatever issue they are connecting with us about in the moment.
This position is part of a team dedicated to keeping current with counsellors’ needs and producing material that allows our counsellors to continue to offer excellent service to Canada’s youth. Team members create a knowledge loop and partnership between the Knowledge Mobilization team and the Counselling team to increase counsellors’ self-efficacy to use the knowledge products. Knowledge products are then synthesized and translated into information for children and youth audiences on our websites,
RESPONSIBILITIES:
One of the main functions of this position is to develop, understand and translate knowledge in the optimal format(s) that works for Kids Help Phone counsellors.
More specifically, this is done by developing Kids Help Phone’s knowledge base through researching and compiling the latest empirical research in identified subject areas using social science databases, library and online research to write summary documents covering important information for the counsellors. This information includes best practices and current implications for counselling, tip sheets, suggested readings, trends and statistics and information requested by the counselling team. As well, you will develop and collaborate with a network of internal and external sources and contacts who can contribute to and review content.
Another key function of this position is to update and maintain the Knowledge Management System (KMS). This involves performing special-case maintenance and updates, (KMS) as well as entering all newly developed content developed into the KMS, ensuring usability and consistency of formatting and regularly reviewing page-based user feedback, to make suggested changes / improvements in consultation with counselling managers and counsellors. This individual also acts as the liaison for concerns, questions, and suggestions related to the KMS and regularly consults with counsellors regarding usage and uptake of the KMS.
The incumbent in this position will also develop and write content for our kids and teens websites or for programs with appropriate language for the targeted audience. There will also be an important contribution to the multidisciplinary web content development team, acting as a subject expert in the areas under research.
Other duties of this position include supporting the work of Kids Help Phone’s Clinical Practice Specialists by surfacing the latest research about training topics as identified by Counselling Services and supporting the organization’s emerging information needs by performing research reviews and undertaking fact-checking activities to assist with the development of topic-based messaging.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires graduate level education in an applied social science (e.g. Counselling Psychology, Social Work). You must have clinical experience offering counselling to children, youth and families. As well, it is essential that you have applied knowledge of at least one of the following counselling approaches: Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Crisis Intervention and understanding of academic writing standards (e.g. APA, MLA formats).
Applicants must possess three (3) years of writing experience with experience developing comprehensive / systematic literature reviews while experience working in Knowledge Mobilization / Knowledge Exchange is a strong asset.
We are seeking a skilled individual with a well-developed decision-making history and the ability to write to a diverse range of stakeholders. The successful candidate will need excellent collaboration and relationship management skills coupled with strong presentation skills and written communication skills to work with internal and external stakeholders. The ability to receive and integrate feedback from a variety of stakeholders is essential.
Experience with SharePoint, content management systems and basic wiki mark-up is an asset.
Bilingualism in English and French is a strong asset.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
If you are inspired by our cause and are ready to contribute to a dynamic organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of children and youth in Canada, please forward your resume with a cover letter in one document by going to our website at: www.kidshelpphone.ca, choose About Us then Careers and then Current Job Openings to apply by Friday, March 20, 2015 quoting Position Vacancy 2015-0004 Knowledge Translation Writer Toronto in the subject line.