Ontario Federation of Indigenous

Friendship Centres
JOB POSTING

Research Assistant
The OFIFC is an award winning leader in culture-based management providing innovative research,
policy, training and community development to 28 Friendship Centres and other urban Indigenous
service providers across Ontario. Located in downtown Toronto, the OFIFC engages all levels of
government and mainstream agencies.

OFIFC is a purpose-driven organisation which offers unique and challenging work. A rewarding and
enriching career awaits if you are skilled at critical thinking, building relationships, take personal
accountability for getting things done and enjoy working as part of a team to collaboratively solve
problems.

Responsibilities:
To provide technical, administrative, and clerical support to Research workgroup and Research
Director. A job description is attached.

Qualifications:
Awareness of Indigenous culture;
Post-secondary education;
1 3 years of research-related experience through education or practice;
1 3 years of administrative experience;
Working knowledge of research practices, techniques, and methods, including data entry and
data sorting;
Excellent writing and communication skills (including listening, oral, written and
telephone/email);
Outstanding proven organisational skills (includes time, space and task management);
High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.);
Familiarity with research software such as NVivo;
Must display the following competencies: Team Player; Planning and Organising;
Proactive/Takes Initiative; Flexibility; Dependability; and Attention to Detail; and
Criminal Reference Clearance (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Clearance are requirements of
the employment offer.

Contact Information:
If you are interested in qualifying in this role that offers an exceptional compensation package,
please send your resume and cover letter to:
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Tracy Syrette, HR Manager
219 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1E8 Fax: 416.956.7577
Website: www.ofifc.org Email: hr@ofifc.org
Date Posted: 03/17/2017 Posting Deadline: Until Filled

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted

 Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Job Description

Position Title: RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Grade: Created: March 6, 2017
Workgroup: Research Approved:
Employed by the OFIFC, responsible to the policies and directions as
Supervision: determined by the Board of Directors and under the direct supervision of
the Executive Director, or designate. Daily supervision is designated to
the Research Director and the projects Principal Investigator.

VISION
Primary Objective:
To document the history of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
(OFIFC) through documentary evidence and oral history, as part of the collaborative
research project: Indigenous Knowledge Transfer: Gender and Life Stage Factors in
Indigenous NGO Management Models, led by the OFIFC and the University of Guelph.

KNOWLEDGE
Core Competencies:
Culture - Takes personal responsibility to increase sensitivity, awareness and
implementation of OFIFCs Neha (bundle) including foundational teachings and
organisational practices in both professional conduct and work-related deliverables.

Accountability - Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and
timeliness of work commitments.

Critical Thinking - Applies systematic, logical reasoning when addressing problems

or situations in order to arrive at an appropriate solution or outcome.

Building Relationships and Strategic Partnerships - Builds, develops and

sustains business relationships / strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial,
reciprocal and grounded in trust and respect. It is recognising we are all
interdependent and working towards the common good of the organisation.

Results Orientation - Accomplishes established goals, delivers the outcomes

required and achieves the results. It includes the efficient and effective use of all
resources (time, financial, people and technology).

Teamwork and Collaboration - Works collaboratively with others and addresses

conflict in a win-win productive manner. This includes a mindset of sharing with
others whether it is knowledge, recognition, information and skills. Working towards
a common purpose for the good of OFIFC and the communities of people it serves.

Communication - Effectively delivers information in a transparent, honest and clear

manner. It includes actively listening, comprehending and responding appropriately
when interacting with people. It is about being respectful when expressing opinions and
points of view.
OFIFC REASEARCH ASSISTANT PAGE 1
JOB DESCRIPTION
Technical Competencies:
Documented skills to conduct oral history interviews.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with Indigenous cultures, histories, and social realities.
Ability to extract, collect, analyse and interpret qualitative data.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, etc.) and NVivo
software

Behavioural Competencies:
Time management Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organising Dependability

Education/Work Experience:
Masters or PhD student engaged in Indigenous studies or a related discipline
Experience with oral histories and socio-cultural research.
Experience working with Indigenous populations and/or agencies.

REASON
Work Environment:
Works in a safe and suitable office environment faced with constant interruptions and
must meet with others on a regular basis. Exposed to mid to high-level computer use
and performs multiple tasks with simultaneous and tight deadlines.

Working Hours:
Works 10 hour per week. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary to
accommodate schedules of Elders and other interviewees. May travel within Ontario.

ACTION
Scope:
To conduct and analyze oral history interviews with the aim to increase understanding
of Indigenous culture-based management models and in particular the role of gender
and age in Indigenous NGO development.

Key Contacts/Relationships:
Internal
Communicates and collaborates with staff in a research capacity. Works closely with
the Executive Director, the Research Director and Research workgroup.

External
Communicates and collaborates with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and project
participants. Possible work at the Ontario Archives.

OFIFC PAGE 2
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:

Qualitative Data Collection (50%):

Assisting in the design and testing of questions for interviews.
Setting up and conducting interviews, which will entail contacting and
accommodating the needs and requests of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and
participants.
Keeping track of confidential files and ensuring that interviews are recorded and
stored in a safe and secure location, per the OFIFCs procedures.
Keeping track of addresses, emails, phone numbers and meeting locations.
Ensuring that consent forms and releases are signed at every location and by
each participant.
Managing correspondence for the project team.

Data sorting, analysis and reporting (45%):

Sorting and coding data.
Assisting in data analysis.
Co-writing up the findings of the project.
Report writing

Other (5%):
Maintains and upgrades professional skills;
Promotes a healthy, safe work environment; and
Performs other duties, related to the position, as assigned by the Executive Director
or designate.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the
above description related to my position at the Ontario Federation of Indigenous
Friendship Centres (OFIFC).
Employees Name:

Employees Signature: Date:

OFIFC Research Assistant PAGE 3

JOB DESCRIPTION