Research Support Officer (Summer Term Position)

Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council

Whitehorse, YT, Canada Temporary

Compensation: $20 Hourly

Administration And Clerical

Duration

Term

Closing Date

April 30th, 2021

Job Level

N/A

Intended job posting audience

Anyone who can legally work in Canada can apply for this job. If you are not currently authorized to work in Canada, the employer will not consider your job application.

Job Title: Research Support Officer (Summer Term Position)

Supervised by: Policy Advocacy Advisor

Mentored by: Executive Director

Organization: Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council (YAWC)

Location: Whitehorse, Yukon

Term (anticipated): May 2021 to October 2021 (max. 23-week term)

Pay: $20 per hour

The Organization

The Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council (YAWC) is a non-profit society located in Whitehorse, Yukon, that supports leadership and advancement for and by Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in the Yukon Territory and northern British Columbia. Rooted in First Nation cultures and traditions, YAWC has advocated for the rights of Indigenous women in the Yukon and northern BC for more than 50 years.

Mission

“Working towards a resilient and robust community by empowering Indigenous women, gender diverse people, and their families through culturally inclusive advocacy, healing, learning, and sharing while celebrating success.”

Vision

“To advocate on behalf of Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people in the Yukon and northern BC to enhance, promote, and foster their social, economic, cultural, and political well-being. We aim to empower and celebrate Indigenous women, embrace their roles in communities, territories, and lands and to provide support and resources to promote and foster leadership roles, support and enforce their inherent, civil and human rights, and recognize and preserve their cultures and values.”

Mandate

“To build strong relationships among Indigenous women, gender diverse people, organizations, and partners across our service area with a collaborative approach. Providing responsive, effective, and empowering research, advocacy, outreach, access to healing and wellness resources, and personal and professional development at the territorial, national, and international levels.”

The Opportunity

YAWC’s Research Support Officer will contribute to YAWC’s governing, research, communications, and program events and activities. The successful candidate will engage in all areas of YAWC’s operations and work directly with the dedicated and knowledgeable YAWC staff on projects and topics supporting YAWC’s mission. This position provides an opportunity to use your skills to support programming and advocacy efforts impacting the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people in Yukon and northern BC.

YAWC wants to ensure that you will have a quality work experience. Weekly supervision and mentorship sessions will be part of this position. Areas of growth will be identified by the candidate at the beginning of the term and a training and development plan will be developed with the supervisor and the mentor.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to build and improve their team work, communication, digital, leadership, and research skills by conducting the following tasks:

Reviewing and digitizing historic records of the organization

Researching policies and guidelines of charities to learn about NGO governance

Drafting governance documents in consultation with YAWC team

Preparing scan of YAWC’s service area to determine potential partners for projects

Presenting research findings on issues to the YAWC team

Gathering stories of former programs and advocacy and preparation of web content

Key Qualifications

To be considered, candidates must:
have an interest in social justice and empowerment of Indigenous women and

support Indigenous self-determination.

To succeed in the role of Research Support Officer, the candidate must:

have research, organizational, and writing skills (including vetting of sources, providing citations, summarizing complex issues and prioritizing tasks) and

have a growth mindset (willingness to learn and share their knowledge).

YAWC will value lived experience as Indigenous woman or gender diverse person relevant to YAWC’s mandate alongside formal qualifications and previous work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Language and Abilities

Computer office software

Friendly and committed to building strong and collaborative relationships

Uphold integrity, confidentiality, and respect

Work within established organizational practices, protocols and policies

Knowledge around research ethics such as OCAP would be considered an asset

Experience working with an Indigenous organization would be considered an asset

Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbally, written and comprehension)

Indigenous language skills would be considered asset

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
be between 18 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;

be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a valid Social Insurance Number

We strongly encourage Indigenous women and LGBTQIA2S+ youth to apply for this position!

How to apply?

Please submit your application package via email to [email protected] (subject line: Application Research Support Officer) by 11:59pm Friday April 30, 2021.

The application package should include:
Updated cover letter outlining why you are interested in YAWC and this position

Updated resume noting your education, work and volunteer experience

One reference letter from a current or former teacher or professor

Your latest unofficial or official transcript (from a education institution)

YAWC will consider applications from youth that have not had any work experience yet.

YAWC will value lived experience as Indigenous woman or gender diverse person relevant to YAWC’s mandate alongside formal qualifications and previous work experiences.

If you cannot provide one the above noted elements of the application package, please connect with us for alternatives to be considered in this competition.

Working Environment

This position works in a fast-paced office environment which include:

Regular critical deadlines, constant interruptions, shifting priorities

Working irregular hours to facilitate or attend meetings in Whitehorse and communities

Being adaptable, flexible, and maintaining strict confidentiality of information

Dealing with sensitive and difficult clients and confidential information

Inclusive and safe workplace with diverse socio-economic demographics

Alcohol and drug free workplace

Professional and compassionate staff

Questions

Please direct questions via email to [email protected] (subject line: Application Research Support Officer)