Job Description

The John Howard Society of Ontario (JHS Ontario)

invites applications from individuals for the position of

Research & Evaluation Associate.

JHS Ontario

is a well-established and dynamic social purpose organization with a mission of effective, just & humane responses to crime and its causes. We are innovators and leaders in non-partisan research, evidence-based programming and policy development in the justice sector specializing in bridging the gap between analysis and frontline service delivery. By collaborating closely with the 19 John Howard Society Local Offices across Ontario, JHSO's team of analysts and researchers develops policy positions that truly reflects the needs of each community, advances those positions to governments and other organizations, educates the public on the critical issues, and evaluates program efficacy to guide future work.

Reporting to the Director of Policy,

this position is responsible for collecting and analyzing data and supporting research and evaluation activities that contribute to JHS Ontario's policy work, projects and organizational initiatives. The applicant will have post-graduate level education with a minimum of 1-year professional research experience in a relevant sector or equivalent combination of academic internship/placement experience.

This position

is located in downtown Toronto and operates in a hybrid work environment

, offering a combination of remote and in-office work at 35 hours per week. This is a 12-month contract position with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada.

For a detailed position description

, including qualifications required, or for more information about JHS Ontario, please visit our website at https://johnhoward.on.ca/employment-opportunities/research-evaluation-associate/

Please submit your resume and cover letter by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Tasks, Duties, Responsibilities:

Deliver high-quality research, evaluation and data-driven project activities through: + Conducting qualitative and quantitative research activities, including fieldwork, interviews, surveys and data collection
+ Performing data entry, preparing and organizing datasets and conducting preliminary analysis
+ Managing datasets, maintaining data documentation and ensuring data integrity and security
+ Drafting reports, briefs, manuscripts, proposals, presentations and knowledge-mobilization materials
+ Assisting in the design and refinement of logic models, theories of change, evaluation frameworks and data-collection tools
+ Supporting monitoring, process and impact evaluations by gathering information, compiling findings and preparing preliminary summaries
+ Conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, methodological summaries and policy scans to support research and evaluation planning
+ Supporting grant proposals, research ethics submissions, progress reports and project reporting requirements as needed
Strengthen organizational research and evaluation capacity through:
+ Maintaining and updating research and evaluation templates, data-collection tools, forms and consent documents
+ Conducting background research to support the identification of emerging research questions, funding opportunities and potential academic or community partnerships
+ Maintaining the Centre's research library and resource database
Support JHS Local Offices with research and analysis through: + Providing evaluation, research and data collection support on projects and programs
+ Preparing data summaries, research briefs, background materials and evaluation support documents
+ Assisting with the preparation and delivery of presentations, workshops and capacity-building sessions
Support organizational projects, committees and initiatives through: + Participating in meetings, working groups and cross-organizational initiatives
+ Assisting with committee logistics, documentation and follow-up
+ Ensuring all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, privacy regulations and appropriate methodological standards
+ Monitoring developments in justice-related research, community-based practice and program evaluation to inform JHSO's work
+ Preparing internal summaries of sector trends, legislation or emerging evidence
Participate in meetings, wellness and safety training and other professional development opportunities, as required JHSO may alter, remove or add to your duties and responsibilities over time, to meet its evolving needs, without advance notice (except for such notice as may be required under statutory minimum standards legislation) Other duties as assigned from time to time by the Director of Policy

Education, Training & Skills Required for the Job:

Master's level degree in relevant field, with professional research and evaluation experience or equivalent combination of education and experience Experience conducting program evaluations and applying evaluation frameworks Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies Ability to assess threats to internal and external validity Excellent writing, interpersonal and organizational skills Ability to apply logical and scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical challenges Ability to navigate both abstract concepts and concrete data with sound judgment Ability to conduct research and analysis, and synthesize, distil and communicate information in different ways for different audiences, including producing reports, PowerPoint presentations and infographics Strong and inclusive professional manners, demonstrating respect for diverse perspectives in line with JHSO's commitment to DEI

Work Experience:

Minimum of 1-year professional experience in research related to the social and/or criminal justice sectors or equivalent combination of academic internship/placement experience.

Hiring Range:

$62,000 - $65,000





JHS Ontario embraces diversity and equity and is committed to building a staff team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills that allows us to better understand and meet the needs of our staff and the communities that are impacted by our work. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.




We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who apply and advise that we will be responding only to those selected for an interview. JHS Ontario provides an inclusive and barrier free recruitment process to candidates with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.