About the role

Research Assistant supporting Okanagan College’s Indigenous-led evaluation of Rise Up’s youth wellness program. Building community relationships, evaluation frameworks, data protocols, and research ethics materials in Salmon Arm.

Responsibilities

Support Year 1 and Part 1 of Year 2 of the Roots of Resilience Program Evaluation
Build relationships with Rise Up Indigenous Wellness and the Advisory Circle
Co-create content and products with Rise Up and the four Nations
Attend in-person meetings and engagements in Salmon Arm and virtual meetings with the PI
Serve as the local point of contact in Salmon Arm
Schedule meetings, coordinate logistics, take notes, and organize shared files
Learn the four Nations’ governance and cultural protocols
Support creation of data governance protocols, including data storage and software
Draft and revise evaluation framework elements, including partner engagement, program description, evaluation approach and risks, data collection, interpretation, communications, and timeline
Draft and revise the Year 2 Joint Annual Workplan
Draft and revise data collection tools, consent materials, and the Research Ethics Board application
Collaborate with Rise Up, the four Nations, the Advisory Circle, and the Principal Investigator

A completed degree in community research and evaluation or a related field
Hands-on program evaluation experience, paid or unpaid
Experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations in a culturally safe and respectful way
Strong writing skills, including turning findings into short, accessible, plain language reports
Strong organization and coordination skills, including scheduling, logistics, and record-keeping
Ability to work independently without set hours and submit accurate bi-weekly timesheets
Commitment to confidentiality and OCAP® principles
Lives in or near Salmon Arm
Preferred: recent OC graduate holding an Applied BA in Community Research and Evaluation
Preferred: knowledge of Indigenous evaluation approaches
Preferred: experience with storytelling or arts-based methods
Preferred: training in trauma-informed practice, vicarious trauma, and anti-racism
Preferred: OCAP® Fundamentals certification
Aptitudes including cultural humility, healthy boundaries, openness to partner direction and feedback, a trauma-informed approach, and patience with relational work
Okanagan College gives preference to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous

Professional development opportunities funded by the external partner, based on the candidate’s availability and interest
Flexible in-person attendance arranged around availability and partner/supervisor preferences
Paid introduction and work hours through Okanagan College payroll
Bi-weekly payroll via timesheets