Msc. Position - RAP - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be recognized as having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which you are currently enrolled (proof will be required).
- Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.
- Be enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of their curriculum.

Duties

In Canada, the investigation of multi-jurisdictional enteric illness outbreaks is coordinated at the federal level by the Outbreak Management Division at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC-OMD). During investigations, public communication is a key public health intervention used by PHAC-OMD to notify Canadians about an ongoing outbreak and advise them about measures they can take to protect their health. Although a significant amount of resources are dedicated to public communications during these investigations, a formal evaluation has not been conducted to determine if these communications are reaching the targeted population and impacting their behaviour.

We are recruiting (1) course-based Master of Science student to work on a project related to the evaluation and optimization of public communications products. The students may be involved with the following: writing literature reviews, administering surveys, conducting focus groups/interviews, conducting quantitative/qualitative analyses, synthesizing research findings, and providing recommendations. The students will be expected to deliver a report and/or presentation to the Public Health Agency of Canada, in addition to satisfying the academic requirements of their degree.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff (1) RAP student position for completion of the research component of a course-based Master of Science degree in the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph. This opportunity will start in May 2023 and will finish in August 2023.

It is expected that the student will work 37.5 hours per week.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Please explain why you are interested in the Research Affiliate Program with PHAC-OMD and describe your particular area of research interest."

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in science, public health, communications or a related field.

The student must be currently enrolled or willing to enroll in a course-based Master of Science (MSc) program in the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph. Note: Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience with conducting interviews and/or focus groups
Experience with survey design and/or implementation
Experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis
Experience conducting research and synthesizing findings

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of health communications principles
Knowledge of public health issues related to enteric infections and food safety

Competencies:
Showing initiative and being action-oriented
Demonstrate integrity and respect
Planning and organization
Analytical thinking
Working effectively with others

Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to take guided initiative and to work in an organized fashion within a fast-paced environment, including flexibility in shifting between independent and collaborative work and demonstrate collegiality and professionalism

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

1. Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this selection process.

a) You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

b) We will only accept on-line applications received via the Public Service Jobs site. Persons with disabilities or residing in locations that prevent them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

c) For this selection process, we will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this selection process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the selection process.

d) Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.

e) During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the selection process.

f) For more information on how to apply to a selection process, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI

g) Your ability to communicate effectively in writing may be assessed via the application.

h) Various assessment tools may be used in this selection process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.

i) All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.

j) Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates.

k) Other sources of information (such as performance agreements, work samples, board member knowledge, etc.) may be used to assess the criteria identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria.

l) Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
i) Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
ii) Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
iii) Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
iv) Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.
v) The organizational need of restructuring/budgetary constraints

m) Proof of education will be requested if you are considered for a position. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

n) Candidates may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

o) The Public Health Agency of Canada is committed to Employment Equity. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one or more of the following Employment Equity groups: aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups provided the candidate meets all essential qualifications listed on the job opportunity notice and any applicable asset qualification(s).

Preference

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.