Position: Knowledge Translator: Positive Living, Positive Homes study (two positions available)
Status: Temporary, Part-time: 2-4 hours per week, depending on the demands of the project. Compensation for training will also be provided.
Time Period: 24 weeks (Oct 2017 – March 2018), with possibility of a short extension dependent on performance and project resources.
Location: To be negotiated – Most of this job can be accomplished from a candidate’s home provided that they have access to a consistent and reliable internet connection. Candidate must be comfortable using teleconference, videoconferencing and other virtual communication methods as necessary. This job will require travel to Vancouver or other locations; costs for travel will be covered by Pacific AIDS Network.
Reports To: PLPH Knowledge Translation Coordinator
The Pacific AIDS Network (PAN) is hiring a Knowledge Translator to help prepare and share research findings from the community-based Positive Living, Positive Homes (PLPH) study. This research project grew out of community-level knowledge and experience of housing as a critical determinant of health outcomes for people living with HIV. Building on this expertise, and using data from other studies of HIV and housing, PLPH is providing qualitative information to fill contextual gaps and better understand the issue as it pertains to communities in British Columbia, where housing demand and costs are at an all-time high.
The Knowledge Translator will be a person living with HIV (PLHIV) who will support KT tasks and projects of the PLPH research findings. Knowledge translation (KT) takes research findings and translates them into practical use through the use of ‘KT tools,’ which may include presentations, posters, training events, or other things people can use to improve their understanding of an issue and/or make desired change. KT tools make it easier for research findings to be used in frontline programs and services, health care, advocacy, policy development, education or other areas.
The Knowledge Translator will be comfortable publicly identifying as a person living with HIV and will represent the Pacific AIDS Network to engage with other people living with HIV as well as community organizations and their services providers, and policy makers/influencers to share results of the study.
About The Pacific AIDS Network
The Pacific AIDS Network (PAN) works collaboratively with almost 50 member organizations and people affected by HIV and hepatitis C to build capacity and skills for stronger communities in British Columbia. We provide workplace training, leadership development, and research and evaluation initiatives to support all regions in the province. We are the voice for our members, advocating for change in public perception and policies.
About the Positive Living, Positive Homes study
Positive Living, Positive Homes seeks to provide a qualitative, longitudinal perspective on housing as a critical health determinant for people living with HIV. In 2015, after years of planning and collaborating with numerous and diverse community stakeholders, we began conducting interviews in three case study sites – Prince George, Greater Vancouver, and Kamloops – to explore the complex relationship between housing and health and to see which programs and policies are working well for people living with HIV in those communities. Two years later, we are sharing the findings from interviews with PLHIV in a multitude of living situations, as well as with providers of health and housing services, and policy makers in the health and housing sector. The research objectives are to:
- Investigate PLHIVs’ experiences of housing, health and housing access over time; explore the personal, social and structural factors that influence housing, health and wellbeing; and examine how housing and HIV programs, services and policies have influenced (enabled and/or impeded) access to housing, and interacted with housing experiences to influence health and wellbeing;
- Document the successes and challenges of various housing-related programs, services and policies, within their localized contexts, and identify best practices for HIV and housing programs, services and policies so they may better meet the needs of PLHIV;
- Share insights about PLHIV’s housing experiences and program, services and policy best practices across HIV-related housing service providers and other AIDS service organizations; and
- Mobilize research evidence on HIV and housing into actionable policy and funding directives tailored to the unique BC context in order to improve ASOs’ and other community-based organizations’ ability to deliver targeted programs and services
Duties and Responsibilities
We intend to hire two people for this position, and duties will be divided according to the strengths and interests of the two successful applicants. The Knowledge Translator will perform the following duties:
- Attend training as needed/identified by Positive Living, Positive Homes Manager (travel costs will be covered)
- Work in collaboration with the Knowledge Translation (KT) Coordinator, as well as the PLPH Participatory Analysis Working Group and members of PAN staff occasionally
- Assist with knowledge translation (KT) activities and products. These may include, but are not limited to conference, webinar, and/or forum presentations; community engagement meetings, “lunch & learns,” etc.; posters, reports, blog posts, infographics, and/or other written or graphic products as determined by the Research Team and Working Group
- Communicate by email, phone, and/or teleconference with organizations to advertise and distribute KT activities and products
- Connect with community organizations to schedule and organize events; locate and secure venues for events; arrange catering and/or event supplies
- Write, edit and proofread written or graphic products
- Other duties as assigned
Ideal qualifications
Please note: we are keen to meet people who are enthusiastic about the chance to do this work and will be providing active training and mentorship to support people new to this type of work. We are more interested in who you are and what you can bring to the project than we are in extensive experience.
- A person living with HIV
- Past experience and/or interest in the Positive Living Positive Homes study
- Past experience and/or interest in working with HIV-positive peers
- Compassion and understanding towards issues related to housing and homelessness, diversity, inequality, stigma and discrimination, and the needs of people living with HIV
- Passionate about learning
- Passionate about your community
- Ability to work as part of a diverse team
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent literacy skills (e.g., reading, comprehension, writing)
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Computer skills (emails, online research, Microsoft Word)
- Flexibility in working hours
- Fluency in English
People living with HIV from traditionally marginalized or silenced communities are encouraged to apply, including lesbian, bi, queer, and transgender people; racialized and Indigenous communities; and other individuals from groups who have been historically under-represented in health research.
Compensation: This is a part-time, salaried position. The position will average 2 to 4 hours per week, dependent on demands of the projects. Compensation will be provided at a rate of $20 per hour (with two pay periods in a month) before all required taxes and deductions are applied.
Training will be an essential part of the work as it is not expected that people will have all the skills required for this position. Compensation for training will also be provided and will be negotiated with the supervisor. Any travel, accommodation, and food during training sessions will be covered.
Police Check
The successful applicant will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check.
Application Process
All interested applicants are asked to apply online. If you have a resume or CV, you are welcome to include it but it is not necessary for the job application process.
Deadline for applications is Oct 2, 2017 @ 4pm.
We will be reviewing applications and inviting short-listed applicants to an interview between Oct 10 and Oct 13, 2017.
The Pacific AIDS Network would like to thank all applicants who take the time to submit an application for this position. We are grateful for your interest in this study. The hiring team includes representatives from research and peers from the HIV community. We will notify all candidates of the status of their application.