Knowledge Exchange Specialist

POSITION REPORTS TO: Executive Director

INTERNAL: Executive Director, Network staff, Network Steering Committee members (provincial/territorial, regional and aboriginal representatives) and their staff, working group members, individual shelter staff, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters Coordinator and staff

EXTERNAL: Project consultants, funders and other NGOs, government departments, representatives of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters

This is a flexible full or part-time contract position with the possibility of telework. The contract ends December 31, 2012 with the possibility of renewal. We require an individual with expert knowledge of various bibliographic tools and electronic information retrieval systems and research methods, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. The Knowledge Exchange Specialist facilitates access to current evidence-based information and generates participation to support the transfer of knowledge into practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

1. Information Specialist

• Provide library and information services to CNWSTH staff, CNWSTH member organizations and their staff, identifying and meeting their information needs;
• Conduct information searches in response to client requests on a variety of relevant databases;
• Provide a document delivery service;
• Prepare recommended reading lists;
• Provide a tables of contents service;
• Provide new resource and event alerting;
• Develop and present education sessions in person and by utilizing web-based technologies on topics relevant to violence against women information literacy;
• Connect members/organizations with an interest in a particular topic to other members/organizations working in the same area;
• Maintain statistics on the usage of the service, analyze usage trends, and report regularly to the Executive Director.

2. Knowledge Transfer

• Package, disseminate, and present violence against women knowledge in ways that facilitate its optimum use by CNWSTH staff and member organizations;
• Make current violence against women/sheltering information and tools available to project user groups;
• Generate new knowledge in the form of reports, scans, modules, and other documents relevant to project work;
• Instruct Network staff and member organizations in the use of knowledge-based resources in an electronic environment;
• Measure the impact of knowledge management initiatives;
• Facilitate the sharing of knowledge between the knowledge sources and knowledge needs;
• Provide the managerial and physical tools to access knowledge.

3. Project Management

• Manage projects on a day to day basis integrating the contributions of other team members;
• Collaborate with diverse groups such as international, national, provincial and regional violence against women/sheltering organizations, government agencies, libraries, knowledge distributors, and others whose interests and objectives match those of the CNWSTH;
• Participate in research activities, including assisting with writing and submitting reports.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree (Master’s preferred) in a field related to the position such as Library Studies, Information Management, Information Science or Information Techniques diploma or similar;
• Excellent research skills, ability to analyze statistical and other types of data, and ability to find relevant evidence;
• Ability to organize and manage human intellect and help to convert it into useful products or services;
• An understanding of Networks and best practices in knowledge exchange amongst diverse constituents;
• Demonstrated competency with computer software including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, Access, Microsoft Outlook, MS Project, Drupal CMS;
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant social sciences databases;
• Ability to assess, problem solve and prioritize;
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Use clear, simple, and effective language to communicate knowledge to target audience;
• Creative, proactive, innovative approach to information work.
• Professional experience in non-profit associations or networks highly valued.
• Ability to function in both English and French is required with full bilingualism a definite asset.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Knowledge and interest in the area of violence against women, sheltering and related government policy is required;
• Ability to work well under pressure, to establish priorities and respect deadlines;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision but thrive in a highly dynamic, energetic and demanding team;
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and engage and motivate diverse partners in advancing knowledge development;
• Professional and committed to confidentiality;
• Outgoing; good communication and relationship building skills;
• Highly motivated and energetic;
• Diplomatic and uses good judgement. 

Please send your letter of interest and CV at info@endvaw.ca by July 31, 2011.