Policy Research & Development Specialist

Policy Research & Development Specialist

Position Overview

Samawada is seeking a proactive, analytical, research-oriented, and detail-focused Policy Research & Development Specialist to support the development, review, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organization's policies, procedures, institutional frameworks, and policy research activities.

The successful candidate will help establish and strengthen Samawada's institutional policy framework by researching relevant laws, regulations, standards, international conventions, humanitarian frameworks, and nonprofit governance practices.

The role will involve developing organizational policies, reviewing existing documents, identifying policy gaps, conducting regulatory and policy research, preparing policy recommendations, and supporting departments in establishing clear operational guidelines.

The Policy Research & Development Specialist will work closely with Legal & Governance, HR & People & Culture, Finance & Operations, International Programs & Partnerships, Fundraising & Resource Development, Research, Communications, and organizational leadership to ensure that Samawada develops a consistent, practical, and well-documented policy environment.

The role will contribute to:

• Organizational policy development
• Policy research and analysis
• Policy review and revision
• Policy framework development
• Policy gap assessments
• Regulatory research
• Legislative research
• Nonprofit governance policies
• Human resources policies
• Financial policies and procedures
• Operational policies
• Safeguarding policies
• Humanitarian policies
• International development policy research
• Environmental and climate policy research
• Water and WASH policy research
• Data protection and privacy policies
• Information security policies
• Research and ethics policies
• Risk management frameworks
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Institutional guidelines
• Policy implementation support
• Policy monitoring and evaluation
• Policy documentation and management

This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience developing institutional policies and research frameworks for a growing humanitarian organization while developing professional skills in public policy, organizational governance, regulatory research, institutional development, policy analysis, nonprofit management, and international development.

What You Will Do

Organizational Policy Development

• Research and develop policies that support Samawada's organizational structure, institutional objectives, and strategic priorities.
• Assist in establishing a comprehensive organizational policy framework.
• Identify areas where new organizational policies are required.
• Draft policies covering organizational governance, administration, operations, and institutional management.
• Develop clear, practical, and accessible policy documents.
• Ensure policies have defined objectives, scope, responsibilities, procedures, and implementation requirements.
• Work with relevant department heads to identify policy requirements.
• Review existing organizational documents and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure consistency across policies and related organizational documents.
• Support the development of a structured policy development and approval process.
• Maintain a record of policies under development, review, and approval.
• Recommend improvements to strengthen Samawada's institutional policy infrastructure.

Policy Research & Analysis

• Conduct research on relevant policies, regulations, legislation, and institutional frameworks.
• Review government publications, regulatory guidance, international standards, and policy documents.
• Research policies affecting Canadian charities and nonprofit organizations.
• Analyze relevant Canadian federal and provincial policy frameworks.
• Research international humanitarian and development policies.
• Examine policies relating to human rights, sustainable development, climate change, environmental protection, and water security.
• Identify relevant policy developments that may affect Samawada's operations and programs.
• Compare different policy approaches and institutional frameworks.
• Prepare policy research summaries and analytical reports.
• Translate complex policy information into practical recommendations.
• Maintain a repository of relevant policy research, references, and regulatory materials.

Policy Review & Gap Assessment

• Review Samawada's existing policies and institutional documents.
• Identify missing policies and areas requiring improvement.
• Assess whether existing policies adequately address organizational requirements.
• Identify inconsistencies between policies and organizational procedures.
• Review policies against relevant regulatory requirements and recognized standards.
• Identify outdated provisions and recommend appropriate revisions.
• Conduct periodic policy gap assessments.
• Prepare recommendations for addressing identified gaps.
• Work with relevant departments to validate proposed policy changes.
• Support the development of policy improvement plans.
• Maintain a policy review tracker.

Legal & Regulatory Research Support

• Research relevant legislation and regulatory requirements affecting Canadian charities and nonprofit organizations.
• Review applicable Canadian federal and provincial legal frameworks.
• Research relevant requirements relating to charitable operations, governance, employment, privacy, fundraising, and financial accountability.
• Monitor changes in relevant legislation, regulations, and official guidance.
• Identify potential policy implications arising from regulatory changes.
• Prepare regulatory research summaries for organizational leadership.
• Support departments in understanding relevant regulatory requirements.
• Maintain references to applicable legislation and regulatory guidance.
• Flag areas requiring review by qualified legal professionals.
• Support the development of policies that reflect applicable regulatory requirements.

This position provides policy and regulatory research support. It does not replace qualified legal counsel, provide formal legal opinions, or independently determine Samawada's legal compliance.

Governance & Institutional Policy Development

• Support the development and improvement of organizational governance policies.
• Research nonprofit governance practices and institutional accountability frameworks.
• Assist with the development of board-related policies and procedures.
• Review governance documentation and identify potential policy gaps.
• Support the development of board governance guidelines.
• Research conflict-of-interest management practices.
• Support the development of policies relating to transparency, accountability, and organizational integrity.
• Research board responsibilities, governance standards, and institutional oversight practices.
• Support the development of delegation-of-authority frameworks.
• Assist in establishing clear responsibilities and accountability across organizational functions.
• Work with Legal & Governance and organizational leadership to strengthen institutional governance.

Human Resources & People Policy Development

• Work with HR & People & Culture to develop and review human resources policies.
• Research relevant employment standards and workplace requirements.
• Support the development of recruitment and volunteer management policies.
• Assist with policies covering workplace conduct and professional responsibilities.
• Support the development of anti-harassment and discrimination policies.
• Research safeguarding and protection policy frameworks.
• Support the review of volunteer policies and agreements.
• Assist with remote work and attendance policies.
• Support the development of confidentiality and information-handling policies.
• Review HR policy documentation for consistency.
• Research appropriate policies for volunteer-based nonprofit organizations.
• Support the development of employee and volunteer policy guidelines.

Finance & Financial Governance Policies

• Work with Finance & Operations to support the development and review of financial policies.
• Research nonprofit financial governance and accountability frameworks.
• Support the development of financial management policies.
• Research financial approval and authorization frameworks.
• Assist with policies relating to procurement and purchasing.
• Support the development of expense reimbursement policies.
• Research grant financial management and accountability requirements.
• Support the development of financial recordkeeping guidelines.
• Assist with policies relating to financial reporting and internal controls.
• Research donor fund management and financial stewardship practices.
• Support the review of financial policy documentation.
• Ensure financial policy recommendations are coordinated with the Finance team.

Operations & Administrative Policies

• Work with Finance & Operations to identify operational policy requirements.
• Support the development of administrative policies and procedures.
• Research organizational workflow and operational governance practices.
• Assist with the development of document management policies.
• Support the development of internal communication guidelines.
• Research procurement, vendor management, and contract administration practices.
• Support the development of asset management policies.
• Assist with operational risk management guidelines.
• Develop practical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Help establish consistent administrative practices across departments.
• Support the review and improvement of operational documentation.

Safeguarding & Humanitarian Protection Policies

• Research international safeguarding and protection frameworks.
• Support the development and review of safeguarding policies.
• Research Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) frameworks.
• Review relevant United Nations and Inter-Agency Standing Committee guidance.
• Support policy development relating to child protection and vulnerable populations.
• Research humanitarian accountability and protection standards.
• Support the development of reporting and escalation procedures.
• Work with HR and relevant safeguarding personnel to identify policy gaps.
• Research appropriate safeguarding practices for humanitarian and development organizations.
• Support the alignment of organizational policies with applicable standards and requirements.

Data Protection, Privacy & Information Governance

• Research Canadian privacy and data protection frameworks.
• Support the development and review of data protection policies.
• Work with IT & Digital Systems to identify information governance requirements.
• Support the development of data collection and management guidelines.
• Research privacy considerations relating to personal and sensitive information.
• Support the development of data retention and disposal policies.
• Assist with policies relating to information access and confidentiality.
• Research responsible data management practices in humanitarian contexts.
• Support the development of digital information governance guidelines.
• Work with relevant teams to identify privacy and information security policy gaps.

International Development & Humanitarian Policy Research

• Research international development policies and frameworks.
• Examine policies and strategies relating to humanitarian assistance and development cooperation.
• Research relevant United Nations frameworks and international development commitments.
• Analyze policies relating to sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Research international humanitarian standards and principles.
• Examine policies relating to localization, community participation, and accountability.
• Research international development financing and donor policy frameworks.
• Analyze relevant policies published by Global Affairs Canada and other development institutions.
• Prepare research summaries on emerging international development policy issues.
• Identify policy opportunities and challenges relevant to Samawada's programming.
• Support the integration of policy research into organizational strategy and project development.

Climate, Environmental & Water Policy Research

• Research policies relating to climate change, environmental sustainability, and water security.
• Examine relevant international and national climate policy frameworks.
• Research water governance and integrated water resource management policies.
• Review environmental protection and natural resource management frameworks.
• Research policies relating to drought resilience and disaster risk reduction.
• Examine international frameworks addressing water scarcity and sustainable water access.
• Support policy research relevant to Samawada's WASH and water security initiatives.
• Work with Hydrologists and Water & Environmental Engineers to identify relevant policy frameworks.
• Research climate adaptation and environmental resilience strategies.
• Prepare policy briefs addressing water, environmental, and climate-related challenges.
• Identify opportunities to connect technical research with policy recommendations.

Policy Briefs & Research Publications

• Prepare policy briefs on relevant organizational and international development issues.
• Develop research summaries and policy analysis documents.
• Prepare comparative policy assessments.
• Draft recommendations based on available evidence.
• Translate complex policy findings into accessible documents.
• Support the preparation of policy papers and institutional research publications.
• Review relevant research and academic publications.
• Prepare briefing notes for organizational leadership.
• Develop background research for meetings, partnerships, and institutional engagements.
• Support the preparation of policy-related presentations.
• Ensure that research findings are appropriately referenced and documented.

Standard Operating Procedures & Institutional Guidelines

• Assist departments in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Convert approved policies into practical operational procedures.
• Develop implementation guidelines and departmental instructions.
• Ensure SOPs clearly identify responsibilities and processes.
• Support the development of policy templates and standardized documentation.
• Review departmental procedures for consistency with organizational policies.
• Help establish procedures for policy communication and implementation.
• Maintain a central repository of approved SOPs and guidelines.
• Support periodic review and revision of institutional procedures.
• Help departments understand how approved policies apply to their activities.

Policy Implementation & Monitoring

• Support departments in implementing approved organizational policies.
• Develop policy implementation plans and tracking mechanisms.
• Monitor policy development and review timelines.
• Maintain records of policy approval and revision dates.
• Support the development of policy compliance checklists.
• Identify implementation challenges.
• Collect feedback from departments on policy effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements based on operational experience.
• Support periodic policy reviews.
• Prepare updates for organizational leadership on policy development progress.
• Help establish a continuous policy improvement process.

Cross-Departmental Policy Coordination

• Coordinate with department heads to identify policy development requirements.
• Gather input from relevant stakeholders during policy development.
• Facilitate departmental policy consultations where appropriate.
• Ensure policies reflect practical operational requirements.
• Identify overlapping responsibilities and inconsistencies across departmental policies.
• Support coordination between HR, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Programs.
• Maintain a central policy development tracker.
• Follow up on outstanding departmental policy requirements.
• Help ensure that policies are accessible to relevant team members.
• Support organizational consistency in policy development and implementation.

Policy Documentation & Management

• Maintain Samawada's central policy repository.
• Organize approved policies, drafts, procedures, and supporting references.
• Establish consistent policy document templates.
• Maintain version control and revision histories.
• Document policy approval dates and responsible departments.
• Track policy review schedules.
• Maintain records of policy changes.
• Ensure superseded policies are appropriately archived.
• Develop a policy register.
• Prepare periodic policy documentation reports.
• Ensure authorized team members can access relevant policy documents.

Collaboration Across Teams

The Policy Research & Development Specialist will work closely with:

• Legal & Governance
• HR & People & Culture
• Finance & Operations
• International Programs & Partnerships
• Fundraising & Resource Development
• Research & Development
• WASH & Water Security
• Climate Resilience
• Data & Analytics
• IT & Digital Systems
• Communications & Storytelling
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)
• Organizational leadership

The Specialist should help ensure that Samawada develops a consistent, practical, well-researched, and accountable policy environment that supports organizational governance, operational effectiveness, regulatory awareness, and humanitarian impact.

Policy Governance

• Follow Samawada's organizational governance and approval processes.
• Use credible and appropriately documented research sources.
• Ensure policies are clearly written and practically applicable.
• Maintain consistency across organizational policy documents.
• Distinguish legal requirements from recommended practices and internal organizational decisions.
• Document relevant legal and regulatory references.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling internal organizational documents.
• Obtain relevant departmental input before finalizing policy drafts.
• Maintain accurate version control.
• Ensure policies are submitted to the appropriate authority for review and approval.
• Avoid independently approving or implementing organizational policies.
• Escalate significant legal, regulatory, safeguarding, and governance concerns.

The Policy Research & Development Specialist is responsible for researching, drafting, reviewing, coordinating, and supporting the implementation of policies. Final policy approval remains with the Board or the appropriate delegated organizational authority. Legal opinions and formal legal reviews must be obtained from qualified legal professionals where required.

What We Are Looking For

A background, experience, or strong interest in:

• Public Policy
• Policy Research
• Policy Development
• Public Administration
• International Relations
• International Development
• Political Science
• Governance
• Law
• Legal Studies
• Human Rights
• Development Studies
• Nonprofit Management
• Organizational Development
• Regulatory Research
• Institutional Governance
• Humanitarian Affairs
• Public Administration and Management

Knowledge or experience with any of the following is an asset:

• Canadian federal and provincial policy frameworks
• Canadian nonprofit and charity governance
• Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (CNCA)
• Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)
• Canada Revenue Agency charity guidance
• Employment Standards legislation
• Canadian privacy frameworks
• Global Affairs Canada policies and guidelines
• United Nations frameworks
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)
• Sphere Standards
• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidance
• OECD development policy frameworks
• International humanitarian law
• Human rights frameworks
• Environmental and climate policy frameworks
• Water governance frameworks
• Research ethics
• Risk management frameworks
• Policy analysis methodologies
• Regulatory compliance research

Strong research and analytical skills.

Excellent written communication and policy drafting abilities.

Ability to interpret legislation, regulations, institutional frameworks, and policy documents.

Strong attention to detail and document accuracy.

Ability to translate complex policy information into practical organizational recommendations.

Ability to work independently in a fully remote volunteer environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and departmental leadership.

Ability to manage multiple policy development assignments and deadlines.

Ability to take initiative and identify institutional policy gaps.

Passion for humanitarian work, institutional development, governance, human rights, public policy, and international development.

Preferred Areas of Interest

Candidates with experience or interest in any of the following are encouraged to apply:

• Nonprofit policy development
• Charity governance
• Organizational governance
• Institutional policy frameworks
• Human resources policies
• Financial governance policies
• Operational policies
• Safeguarding policies
• PSEAH frameworks
• Data protection and privacy
• Humanitarian policy
• International development policy
• Climate policy
• Environmental policy
• Water governance
• Human rights policy
• Public administration
• Regulatory research
• Policy monitoring and evaluation
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Institutional capacity development
• Policy implementation

What You Will Gain

• Real-world experience developing policies for a Canadian humanitarian nonprofit organization.
• Hands-on experience in organizational policy development.
• Experience researching Canadian legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Exposure to nonprofit governance and institutional development.
• Experience drafting and reviewing organizational policies.
• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Exposure to international humanitarian and development policy frameworks.
• Experience working with HR, Finance, Operations, Legal, and Programs teams.
• Opportunities to contribute to policy research and publications.
• Experience developing institutional accountability frameworks.
• Portfolio-building experience through practical policy development projects.
• Networking opportunities with policy researchers, governance professionals, legal experts, and international development specialists.
• Experience translating policy research into practical organizational improvements.

Strategic Projects You May Support

Samawada Institutional Policy Framework

Help establish a comprehensive policy framework covering organizational governance, administration, finance, HR, operations, programs, and institutional accountability.

Organizational Policy Development & Review Program

Conduct a structured review of existing Samawada policies, identify gaps, prioritize policy requirements, and support the development of missing or outdated policies.

Nonprofit Governance & Accountability Framework

Support the development and improvement of organizational governance policies, board procedures, accountability mechanisms, and institutional oversight guidelines.

HR & People Policy Framework

Work with HR & People & Culture to develop and review policies covering recruitment, volunteers, workplace conduct, safeguarding, confidentiality, and organizational culture.

Finance & Operations Policy Framework

Work with Finance & Operations to support the development of financial management, procurement, expense reimbursement, document management, and operational policies.

Safeguarding & Humanitarian Protection Policy Program

Research international safeguarding frameworks and support the review and development of policies relating to protection, PSEAH, accountability, and humanitarian responsibilities.

Data Protection & Information Governance Framework

Work with IT & Digital Systems to support the development of privacy, data management, information security, confidentiality, and records management policies.

International Development Policy Research Initiative

Develop policy briefs and research summaries on international development, humanitarian assistance, human rights, sustainable development, and donor policy frameworks.

Climate, Environment & Water Policy Research Initiative

Work with Hydrologists, Water & Environmental Engineers, and Programs & Partnerships to research policies relating to climate adaptation, environmental protection, water governance, and water security.

Samawada Policy Register & Documentation System

Establish an organized central policy repository with document templates, approval records, version control, review schedules, and policy ownership information.

Policy Monitoring & Review System

Help establish a structured process for monitoring policy implementation, identifying gaps, gathering departmental feedback, and coordinating periodic policy reviews.

Primary Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:

• Establish and maintain an organized policy development framework.
• Identify and document organizational policy gaps.
• Develop clear and practical policy documents.
• Research relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Support the review and improvement of existing policies.
• Coordinate policy development across departments.
• Develop useful Standard Operating Procedures.
• Strengthen organizational governance documentation.
• Support the development of HR, Finance, Operations, and Safeguarding policies.
• Produce relevant policy briefs and research summaries.
• Maintain an accurate and accessible policy register.
• Establish policy review and version-control processes.
• Support departments in implementing approved policies.
• Improve consistency across organizational policy documents.
• Strengthen Samawada's institutional policy and governance capacity.

The overall objective is to help Samawada establish a strong, practical, and scalable institutional policy framework that supports effective governance, responsible operations, regulatory awareness, organizational accountability, and sustainable humanitarian development.