Human Resources Position Description: Director of Research



.
Position Title:
.Director of Research
Department:
Research
Reporting to:
Executive Director
Category:
Management
Last Updated:
06/05/2009
Hours per week:
37.50
.
Summary:
This role is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for the research and evaluation of ACT's programs and services. In addition, this role supports the ongoing literary contributions being made to the community partners and the HIV-AIDS sector through the ACT library. The incumbent will provide leadership to community partners, management and staff to identify and prioritize areas for program development and to develop and/or improve evaluation tools and recommendations. Specific duties and responsibilities will also include, but are not limited to the following and may be subject to change:


Research for Program & Service Development
  1. Identify key research areas, conduct literature reviews on priority research areas then design and conduct applied research
  2. Work in partnership with individuals, external agencies and academic institutions to conduct research or evaluation studies
  3. Serve as a research 'translator' between the community-based AIDS movement and more formal research institutions such as universities and hospitals
  4. Represent the agency on government or community advisory boards/committees
  5. Create links with HIV/AIDS, social and health agencies serving diverse communities
  6. Collaborate with appropriate community partners and external agencies to identify common research needs and conduct community-based research projects

Training and Research Dissemination
  1. Review journal articles and other sources of information pertinent to our program areas
  2. Prepare and present briefs to management team on key research findings and implications for programming
  3. Provide ongoing support to staff involved in developing research and evaluation projects
  4. Develop and deliver a series of staff development workshops on community-based research and evaluation
  5. Develop a culture of research in the agency

Grant Writing
  1. Propose and identify research and evaluation funding opportunities to management
  2. Cultivate good working relationships with current and potential funders
  3. Work with program staff and/or development officer in the preparation of grant applications
  4. Prepare and submit progress reports to funders in collaboration with appropriate staff

Organizational Strengthening and Development
  1. Participate in the ongoing development, evaluation and implementation of operational and strategic plans.
  2. Participate in agency wide organizational change /development initiatives that will strengthen the agency.
  3. Participate in Management Team meetings and provide required reports to facilitate strategic and critical thinking and decision-making.
  4. Participate in development and implementation of agency quality assurance and risk management processes, as they pertain to departmental responsibilities.
  5. Leads the development of agency workplans and annual budgets for the Research and library department, ensuring the integration of the strategic priorities in workplans.
  6. Adhere to all personnel policies and procedures, collective agreement and human rights legislation.
  7. Attends board and management meetings to provide information, participate in decision-making and to advocate for issues identified in his/her areas of responsibility.
  8. Assist in identifying and responding to advocacy issues.
  9. Participates on internal teams, communicates information, resolves problems and achieves the goals of the organization.

Staff Management
  1. Provide resources to research and library staff to ensure a high standard of service delivery
  2. Manage all staffing and developments processes including hiring employees; assigning responsibilities; establishing standards of performance; providing orientation, training and ongoing guidance; monitoring work performance to ensure adherence to authorized procedures; identifying staff training needs; implementing training, evaluating job performance, initiating discipline, as required and responding to grievances at the first stage.
  3. Challenge staff teams in critical analysis of their work by encouraging exploration of new and innovative models/approaches.
  4. Facilitates communication and encourages work amongst research staff and between research and other program staff
    Communicate information, resolve problems and responds to the concerns of staff and volunteer in his/her area of responsibility
  5. Recruit, supervise and evaluate appropriate student placements and volunteers as needed.
  6. Ensure departmental adherence to ACT’s Personnel Policies, Collective Agreement, Health & Safety and Human Rights Legislation.

Other
  1. Ensure departmental budgets are prepared and monitored in keeping with the parameters set at the corporate level.
  2. Oversee administrative tasks of department staff, i.e. timesheets, purchase orders.
  3. Coordinate administrative and program reports for the Board, funders and other bodies.
  4. Provide leadership and direction for internal staff committees.
  5. Provide staff support to committees of the Board as needed.
  6. Lead departmental budgeting process with staff.
  7. Coordinate required reports for the Board, donors and other bodies.
  8. Ensure volunteer complaints processes are followed and issues are resolved.
  9. Provide back up to the Executive Director and other members of the Management Team as required.
  10. Other Duties as assigned by the Executive Director.