Job Description

Position Profile: Partnerships & Knowledge Integration Specialist (10-month term)

=======================================================================================

Reports to:

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach

Profile date: January 2026

Duration: 10+ months (ends December 23, 2026)

Vacancy Reason: New contract role

About the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

------------------------------------------------------------


The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public, private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the health and safety of people living in Canada. An NGO with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.

Acknowledgement

-------------------


CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and Metis people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.

About the Position

----------------------


Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach, the Partnerships & Knowledge Integration Specialist plays a critical role in advancing evidence-informed responses to substance use health and the toxic drug supply across Canadian municipalities. The position leads the collection, synthesis, and translation of research, data, and community knowledge to inform municipal, regional, and national policy, programs, and system-level decision-making.


The role supports municipalities by strengthening local capacity to respond to substance-related harms and overdose risk, while working in close partnership with public health authorities, local law enforcement, federal government partners, Indigenous communities, and community-based organizations.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Knowledge Integration & Translation

Synthesize complex research findings into practical, municipal-ready products such as policy briefs, toolkits, reports, presentations, and decision-support resources Translate evidence into actionable guidance that supports municipal leadership, staff, and partners in planning and service delivery Ensure knowledge products are accessible, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and stigma-reducing Support research related to substance use health, overdose prevention, and the toxic drug supply, with a focus on municipal and community-level impacts Collaborate with research partners to interpret data from multiple sources, including public health surveillance, municipal data, community-based research, and program outcomes Identify trends, risks, and service gaps affecting municipalities, including urban, rural, and remote contexts

Municipal & Cross-Sector Collaboration

Support Canadian municipalities in applying evidence to local strategies, bylaws, service models, and community safety initiatives related to substance use health Collaborate with public health agencies, municipal governments, local law enforcement, and federal government partners to promote coordinated, evidence-based responses Facilitate knowledge exchange between municipalities to support shared learning and scalable solutions Engage community organizations, Indigenous partners, and people with lived and living experience in research and knowledge translation activities

Policy, Program & Systems Support

Translate research findings to inform municipal, provincial, and federal policy development and system planning Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of municipal-level harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and prevention initiatives Contribute to funding proposals, reporting requirements, and accountability frameworks that support municipal substance use health responses

Ethics, Equity & Governance

Ensure research and knowledge integration activities align with ethical standards, privacy legislation, and municipal data-sharing requirements Apply equity-focused, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches, recognizing the diverse needs of municipalities and communities Uphold Indigenous data sovereignty principles (e.g., OCAP) where applicable

Monitoring, Evaluation & Continuous Learning

Support evaluation efforts to assess the impact of evidence-informed approaches at the municipal level Monitor emerging research, policy developments, and best practices related to substance use health and the toxic drug supply in Canada Contribute to organizational and municipal learning through continuous improvement and knowledge-sharing initiatives

This position profile is designed to provide an overview of the main responsibilities for the role. Other responsibilities not identified in this position profile may be assigned based on the person's experience and operational requirements

Qualifications

------------------

Master or doctoral degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., public health, health policy, science, arts and humanities, criminology, epidemiology, health administration, adult education). A combination of experience and education will be considered Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in research, knowledge translation, policy analysis, or related work addressing substance use health or public health, particularly the toxic drug crisis Demonstrated experience working with or supporting Canadian municipalities, public sector organizations, community-based systems, and multi-sector partner groups (e.g., health professionals, decision-makers, and community partners) Experience with various aspects of knowledge mobilization (e.g., generation, synthesis, product development, knowledge translation and exchange, dissemination, management, evaluation) Ability to interpret and identify key results from health and other research, and to summarize research findings in plain language (presentations and writing) Familiarity with partner engagement, consultation and related data collection through a variety of mechanisms, including surveys, focus groups and social media Ability to develop or inform the development of knowledge mobilization products, such as toolkits, learning modules, lay and research publications, and policy briefs, using feedback from knowledge users Solid understanding of substance use health, harm reduction, overdose prevention, and the toxic drug supply Strong systems-thinking skills, with the ability to understand and address complex, system-wide issues Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines Excellent communication skills, including strong presentation and public speaking abilities Collaborative, adaptable, and high-energy team player with a strong focus on critical thinking and strategic problem-solving

Assets

----------

Experience working in or with governmental, non-governmental or international organizations Experience working with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations Familiarity with municipal governance, public safety, and intergovernmental policy environments Experience supporting system-level planning, evaluation, or cross-jurisdictional initiatives Lived or living experience, or demonstrated experience working closely with people with lived and living experience Bilingual in English and French

Working Conditions

----------------------

Partnership-driven role with frequent in-person engagement across municipalities and sectors Participation in intergovernmental in-person meetings, working groups, and community engagement activities Travel within Canada may be required

CCSA Values

---------------


CCSA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and Metis people and all equity-deserving groups are fully represented, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities and people who are 2SLGBTQ+.


CCSA is dedicated to learning from and supporting people with lived or living experience of substance use and health. We encourage people with lived or living experience of substance use to apply to join the CCSA team.


CCSA promotes the rights of all people with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its related Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. CCSA will make appropriate accommodations on request. Please inform CCSA in advance of a request for accommodation during the recruitment process by email.

How to Apply

----------------


If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resume. Located in Ottawa, CCSA works within a flex-hybrid model. The successful candidate must be willing to be onsite to attend in-person activities as required. We thank all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.


No agencies please.