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Position Description

Graduate Research Assistant: Community Foundations and Journalism - What are the possibilities
Job Code 3431
Department Government Relations & Public Policy
Employment Type Temporary/Contract
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OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create.

 

OCAD UniversityCanada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design. 

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community. The University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles—driving positive impact, decolonization, indigenization, and equity, environmental sustainability, emerging as a vibrant hub, student-centered approaches, innovation in learning, teaching, and research, and financial stewardship.

Project Details:

The Cultural Policy Hub at OCAD University is a partnership that facilitates and expands the arts and cultural sector’s capacity inpolicymaking, research, data analysis, program innovation, and knowledge mobilization and exchange.

The Hub, in partnership with Concordia University and PhiLab (UQAM), is hiring a Research Assistant to support a collaborative project on how community foundations can fund local news in Canada.

The Research Assistant will support the development of a report(s) that outline cases of community foundations funding journalismin Canada and the U.S. The report will include feasibility assessments on how existing models can be adapted to the Canadian context.

The Research Assistant will provide policy research support to the project—including scanning of government and community foundation updates and announcements—and will assist with the development of other deliverables related to the project andleading to the report's presentation in April 2025.

The Research Assistant will report to the Manager, Cultural Policy Hub and work closely with the project team, in support of the project’s research goals and objectives.

Responsibilities:

  • Researching community foundations initiatives, local journalism funding and revenue models, and other areas relevant to the project;
  • Scanning and analyzing partner and government policy updates and announcements;
  • Assisting with the preparation of project and Hub briefs and reports;
  • Supporting the Hub policy team in other duties as assigned.
  • Participating in the provision of safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and its facilities

Qualifications:

  • Completion of or current enrollment in a relevant graduate program and/or equivalent training and professional experience;
  • Experience in media/journalism studies and/or public policy will be considered an asset;
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communications and problem solving skills, and;
  • Ability to be a self-starter and self-directed.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty.  

Hours of Work: 7.5 hours per week over the period of January 6, 2025 to May 30, 2025

Work Environment: The position will be hybrid with opportunities for in-person and remote work. In-person work would take place at 230 Richmond St West in Toronto.

Compensation:  $33.78 (Grad Rate) per hour with an additional 4% in lieu of vacation and 6% in lieu of benefits

 

Please note the following:

  • The period of employment may be extended, conditional upon continued funding of the Project by OCAD U’s external funding partner(s), and upon satisfactory execution of duties.
  • Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for any employer (with a valid work or study permit, SIN and Canadian bank account).
  • If you are a work or study permit holder, please note a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Canadian bank account is a condition of employment.

Applications should include:

1.     A one-page cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest

2.     A curriculum vitae

3.     The contact information for three (3) referees

Please upload all three (3) components as one PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence addressed to Samuel La France, Manager, Cultural Policy Hub by clicking the “Apply for this Position” button below.

 

The review of applications will begin on December 18, 2024 and will continue until the position has been filled.

If you require application support, please contact the People & Culture Office. Please note that People & Culture cannot update you on the status of your application as these searches are decentralized. You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview. If the posting is advertised, we are still accepting applications.

 

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-seeking groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

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