Research Initiatives Officer

CERIC is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing education, research and advocacy in career counselling and development. Our mission is to enhance the economic and social well-being of Canadians by promoting career development across the country. We fund innovative projects, host bilingual conferences, publish a peer-reviewed journal, curate online platforms like CareerWise/OrientAction, and offer comprehensive webinars and courses to empower career and employment professionals.

CERIC is committed to providing a collaborative work environment grounded in respect for diversity of lived experience and opinion and recognizes the many ways that leadership is demonstrated through the skills and abilities of its staff and volunteers.

Position Summary

The Research Initiatives Officer is responsible for advancing CERIC’s national research goals and funding priorities. This role includes developing and implementing the national career development research agenda, supporting CERIC’s learning and development goals, overseeing the Graduate Student Engagement Program, and identifying and developing the CERIC research plan. Additionally, the Research Initiatives Officer provides guidance to CERIC staff on career development programs, projects, national issues, and emerging opportunities.

Core Responsibilities

National Career Development Research Agenda

• Provide staff support to the CERIC Practical and Academic Research Committee (Research Committee).
• Develop and implement the CERIC research agenda with input from the Research Committee.
• Maintain and continuously enhance the database of Canadian researchers working in the area of career development.
• Outreach to key stakeholders to identify research opportunities and gaps to be addressed through research.
• Oversee the review of Project Partnership Applications for Research and Learning projects submitted by external organizations and individuals.
• Project management (including legal agreements and financial calendars set-up and monitoring) and support for partners during project implementation, resource creation (including publications)
• Develop, release and oversee the evaluation of requests for proposals for research projects generated in-house, as well as ensuring a smooth project development afterwards.
• Co-ordinate CERIC national surveys with input and support from the Research Committee and Executive Director.
• Plan and facilitate meetings of Canadian English and Francophone researchers involved in career development research.
• Develop and update topical literature searches and other tools to support practitioner researchers.

Graduate Student Engagement Program

• Oversee the development, implementation and ongoing monitoring of the program.
• Annual updates of the program information and outreach.
• Build program related materials and learning opportunities for the program’s participants.
• Liaise with Marketing team for promotion of the program, its members and GSEP Award winners.
• Work with the Research committee to review and decide on GSEP Award winners and articles.
• Recruit and onboard new GSEP members while strategically placing them in committees to maximize their contributions and engagement.
• Build and maintain long-term relationship with program participants.

Grant Management

• Research, identify, and pursue relevant grants, requests for proposals, and funding opportunities aligned with CERIC’s mission.
• Grant writing and reviewing (as main applicant or in collaboration with additional partners)
• Grant management and project implementation
• Prepare and submit conference applications, proposals, and presentations (virtual or in-person) to showcase research findings and initiatives.

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Support the Executive Director in the financial grants planning and disbursements.
• Assist in developing research implementation strategies based on the CERIC Strategic Plan priorities.

Leadership

• Contribute to the development of organizational goals and build implementation plans to achieve them.
• Engage with senior staff leaders in operational management, processes and practices.
• Other duties as required.

Education and Experience

• Graduate degree with a research component in career development and/or social sciences (education, psychology, sociology, etc.)
• Five to 8 years’ experience in career development or a related field, preferably in a non-profit or research organization.
• Experience writing and reviewing research grants.
• Bilingual (English/French) is a significant asset; proficiency in both languages is highly valued.

Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Deep knowledge of the career development sector.
• High level of initiative, creativity and resourcefulness.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Broad knowledge of research methods and data gathering techniques.
• Ability to develop and manage research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and build relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including career development professionals working in the education, post-secondary and community, researchers and academics.
• Experience in strategic planning methods and strategy implementation
• Excellent facilitation skills

Working Conditions 

This is a Toronto-based position.

CERIC is committed to providing a flexible, safe, and accessible workspace that supports productivity and well-being. We offer a hybrid work environment, combining remote and in-person work at our Toronto office (2 St. Clair Ave E). Employees are expected to work onsite regularly, typically one day per week at present, with the frequency subject to adjustment as organizational needs evolve.

While some flexibility in the workday can be accommodated, employees are expected to meet milestones, deliverables, and attend internal and external meetings as required.

Employees must have dependable internet access and a dedicated, quiet, and safe workspace to perform their duties effectively when working remotely.