KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION SPECIALIST
The Knowledge Mobilization Specialist conducts the planning, implementation and evaluation of activities within the Bridge Research Consortium (BRC), Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), and other collaborating hubs. The Specialist will contribute to boosting KMb capacity within the BRC and will have the opportunity to lead the development of outputs, products, activities, and events to advance public trust and equitable access to new vaccines and immune-based innovations related to pandemic preparedness and response. This role will work under the direction of the KMb Lead.
ABOUT THE BRIDGE RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
The BRC is one of four projects funded by the Government of Canada, as part of Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) led by the University of British Columbia. It is also one of 19 projects funded in 2024, under Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, “to rebuild a strong and resilient domestic biomanufacturing and life sciences sector” ahead of a future pandemic event. While Canada is poised to achieve exciting and important scientific breakthroughs, the COVID-19 pandemic showed that support for the optimal uptake of new vaccines and therapies is also needed. The decline of vaccine uptake within some populations over the past decade risks the return of vaccine preventable diseases and undermines the capacity for Canada to respond effectively to a future pandemic. In this context, the BRC has been funded as a unique collaboration of leading social sciences and humanities scholars across Canada. The Consortium brings together expertise in anthropology, bioethics, communications, history, international relations, law, political science, public administration, sociology and other disciplines, with public health, clinical medicine, and nursing. Led by Professor Kelley Lee (Simon Fraser University) and Professor Ève Dubé (Laval University), the project brings together wide-ranging expertise and perspectives to better understand and support public trust and equitable access to new vaccines and immune-based innovations that strengthen Canada’s readiness for future health emergencies.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Providing a full range of services, opportunities, and resources to enhance the CIEBH and projects of other hubs activities by:
• Acting as a node between the BRC and collaborating hubs to assess KMb needs and opportunities
• Working with BRC members and collaborators to identify and understand audiences, communities, and other priority knowledge users to tailor and disseminate outputs
• Translating diverse forms of evidence (research articles, key informant interviews, consultations, etc.) from various disciplines (e.g., microbiology, health equity, law, etc.) into clear and accessible language or visual summaries
• Developing and/or coordinating the development of KMb outputs, such as science museum exhibits, policy briefs, evidence summaries, blogs, newsletters, and infographics and articles for lay publications
• Sourcing the translation of materials into relevant languages
• Providing KMb consultations with BRC members and collaborating hubs
• Executing the implementation of KMB strategies and plans
• Assisting with coordination and logistics support for KMb-related events, such as meetings, conferences, research symposiums, consultations, etc.
• Supporting dissemination on communication platforms such as websites, newsletters, etc.
• Coordinating contact with and vetting external services for content creation (e.g., contracting video production company, graphic designer, etc.)
Contributes to the BRC’s KMb strategy and capacity building by:
• Mapping potential partners and knowledge user networks that can support collaborator needs and activities
• Actively promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (including supporting the engagement of priority populations)
• Leading the operational management of KMb documents, repositories, communications and scheduling
• Working with the KMb Hub Lead to review, refine, and develop resources and toolkits to increase accessibility and use
• Supporting the academic publishing of KMb frameworks, approaches and outputs produced by the BRC
• Participating in continuous learning and peer-to-peer learning opportunities with colleagues, partners and networks to advance knowledge and competency of effective knowledge mobilization practices
Coordinates the evaluation of KMb impact and effectiveness by:
• Developing and maintaining a portfolio of KMb initiatives undertaken by BRC collaborators
• Supporting the tracking, monitoring, analyzing and reporting of KMB activities and engagement
QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Life/Biological Sciences, Health Sciences or a related field and two years of related experience in community engagement, science communication, and knowledge mobilization or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Understanding of knowledge mobilization theory and practice
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills, with particular emphasis on plain language communication
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Intermediate skills using Adobe or Canva (or other design tools), editing videos and audio, newsletter tools, SurveyMonkey, website platforms
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse colleagues, teams, networks, and community
• Ability to understand complex research and innovations related to immunology science
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others
• Ability to create and disseminate social media and use tools to assess engagement across such platforms
• Ability to use database, word processing, spreadsheet, graphic design and web publishing applications
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with empathy, understanding and respect of diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviors
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and work on a number of different initiatives concurrently
• Familiarity with program evaluation
• Familiarity with evidence reviews (e.g, rapid literature reviews, scoping reviews, etc.)
• Working knowledge of research concepts, principles, protocols, procedures and terminology
• Has received or is willing to receive EDI and Indigenous cultural safety and competency training
SALARY, BENEFITS AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
The salary for this position is $70,000 to $85,000 CAD per year plus benefits, depending on the qualifications and experience of the chosen candidate. The position is full-time (37 hours per week). Depending on the current project, the KMb Specialist will be based either on-site at the BRC Secretariat on the SFU Burnaby campus, at the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus, or remote.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit an application by e-mail to: rackeb_tesfaye@sfu.ca by 5 pm on 1 February 2025. Please include “Knowledge Mobilization Specialist – [Your Name]” in the subject line.
Your application should include the following:
• Cover letter
· explain why you are suited for this position
· describe your relevant disciplinary and subject matter expertise
· explain your relevant experience and skills that would advance the project goals
· provide names and contact information for two references (to be contacted by BRC for short-listed candidates only)
· propose a tentative date for when you could begin the role
• Curriculum vitae
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
Simon Fraser University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified persons, including visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGTBQ-identified persons. Located on unceded Coast Salish Territory — the traditional territories of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh), kʷikʷəƛəm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) Nations, SFU is actively building an increasingly diverse and inclusive community.