Job Description

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA)

collaborates with various external organizations and institutions on projects relevant and of interest to Sioux Lookout area First Nations related to chronic and infectious diseases, health systems, and social determinants of health, among others.



The

Research Assistant

will work with both SLFNHA and external research teams to support ongoing projects, and development of new projects. Work will involve coordinating community engagement with projects, conducting literature reviews, supporting data collection, analysis, and storage, and providing ongoing support for projects as needed. This position is full-time term position till March 31, 2028 with possibility of extension, and will be based in Sioux Lookout.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Interpersonal relations and building trusting relationships

Thoroughness

Facilitating teamwork

Listening

Dependability


The

Research Assistant

will be directly accountable to the

Anishininiiw Nanandowi'kikendamowin Program Manager

, but will also work closely with external research teams.

2025 Salary Range

: $62,867 - $84,442 per annum; $34.542 - $46.397 per hour

Position Type:

Full-time Term till March 31, 2028 with possibility of extension.

Posting Type:

This job posting is for an existing vacancy

Closing date:

January 4, 2026

Qualifications:

Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects in the Sioux Lookout Zone is required.

Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment).

Relationship building skills and values

Knowledge of challenges, needs, strengths, and culture of remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario

Experience working with First Nations peoples

Skills related to community outreach, collaboration, engagement and relationship building

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Self-motivated and ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a team

Ability to listen carefully and empathically (i.e. engage others in conversation to understand experiences and perspectives)

Education and work experience

Experience working on collaborative research projects OR community-based projects

College or university degree with experience working on research project(s) preferred

Experience working with Indigenous communities is required.

Knowledge of, and experience with, the principles of data Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP)

Excellent coordination and project management skills

Discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Experience and comfort using MS Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Experience and comfort using computer software for qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis (e.g. NVivo, excel, Stata, SPSS) an asset

Willingness to receive training

Experience conducting qualitative research is an asset (recruiting participants, data collection and analysis, facilitation of interviews and talking circles)

The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis

Roles and Responsibilities:

Engage and work with community leadership regarding research activities; maintain ongoing communication between community and project team

Collaborate with community partners for participant recruitment; ensure project consent is understood and obtained

Conduct ongoing knowledge translation of project objectives, methods, and findings to community partners

Support literature review/scoping review for projects as needed; support development of appropriate methods for projects as required

Support writing of ethics applications as required

Travel to communities to support/conduct research related activities, with occasional overnight stays (as permitted based on COVID-19 protocols)

Conduct community-based interviews with key informants (for example, community leadership and health care providers) and community members; facilitate sharing circles

Coordinate logistics and keep records for the study (for example, schedule meetings, book meeting rooms, organize events, and track expenses)

Transcribe audio files, and translate (when required) from Ojibway, Oji-Cree and/or Cree into English, as needed

Collaborate with project team for organization and analysis of data

Handle and protect research data according to relevant protocols and regulations

Contribute to dissemination of research results (oral and written)

Other tasks as needed




Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.



Candidates are encouraged to self-identify on their application. Self-identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.





We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full-Time employees:


Pension plan

Fitness reimbursement program

Comprehensive insurance coverage

Professional development opportunities

* Relocation assistance