Job Description

BGC Canada is seeking a Researcher on our Public Policy and Engagement Team to support our advocacy and government relations work. This is a full-time 16-week contract reporting to the Director, Public Policy and Engagement. This role will lead the development of a report with recommendations for government on developing a national before and after-school care plan.

 About BGC Canada 

Community-based services. Positive relationships. Life-changing programs. As Canada’s largest child- and youth-serving charitable organization, BGC Canada provides vital programs and services to nearly 150,000 young people more than 600 communities across Canada.

We provide safe, supportive places where all kids and teens, of all backgrounds, can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, and develop confidence and skills for life. From anti-racism to Reconciliation to LGBTQ2S+, food security to scholarships to job readiness, our Clubs battle systemic issues with systemic solutions—equity, acceptance, support, and opportunity.

And it works. 69% of alumni say a Club saved their life. We help increase academic performance and decrease risky behaviours. The kids and teens we serve tell us that we’ve helped them feel more confident, get along better with others and make better choices for themselves.

Opportunity Changes Everything is our rallying cry and the foundation of BGC Canada’s recent rebranding. It embodies our goals:

• To become known as Canada’s leading champion of children and youth
• To provide more children and youth with a third place between the realities of home life and the pressures of school
• To nurture Canada’s next generation

If a young person needs it, BGC Clubs provide it.

BGC Canada’s National Team

BGC Canada’s national team supports our member Clubs and leads in issues management, policy advocacy, and other critical work on behalf of Clubs. We advance the agenda for the children, youth, and families served by member Clubs through critical work in public policy, research, program development, and Club support. The national team is also responsible for building the BGC brand, fundraising, and managing public relations and communications for our cause.

About You

As the ideal candidate, you are in or recently graduated from a graduate program in Public Policy or a related field. You have an excellent understanding of the Canadian policy development processes. You have a keen attention to detail and excellent communication skills. You’re able to research and draft briefs, policy scans, literature reviews and other written materials for publication. You have a proven track record of shifting through complex information and communicating a summary clearly and effectively.

You’re also – most importantly – committed to improving the lives of children and youth across Canada.

About the Role

BGC Canada received funding through the Max Bell Foundation to hire for this position. The Researcher, Public Policy and Engagement will be responsible for leading the development of original research and a report with recommendations on developing a national before and after school care system. BGC advocates for better access to high-quality, affordable, accessible, and inclusive childcare; and this report will play a key role in informing this advocacy with federal, provincial, and territorial governments across the country.

To develop the report, the Researcher will build off work BGC Canada and our Clubs have already done and build a network of key stakeholders and experts on childcare and before and after school care. They will proactively monitor and identify emerging issues related to the provincial implementation and roll out of the national childcare agreements and will find opportunities for BGC to shape legislative and regulatory priorities.

 Specific outputs include, but are not limited to:

• A policy scan on how before and after school care currently fits in with the current Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Program province by province, and research into existing need and gaps in before and after school care provision.
• A literature review on what has been written about a national before and after school care plan in Canada to date.
• Interviews with experts to explore how a national before and after school care program can support with/be impacted by recruitment and retention issues across the country.
• Interviews with experts to explore how a before and after school program can address learning loss caused by the pandemic.
• Content from the policy scan, literature review, and interviews will be consolidated and used to develop a final report with recommendations for the development of a national before and after school care plan.
• Identify key conferences, roundtables, and events at which we could discuss the report.
• Develop a two-pager with a high-level summary of the findings and recommendations.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Minimum of three years’ experience in public policy research
• Graduate degree in a related discipline (or in progress)
• Strong research and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Understanding of childcare legislation and regulations is preferred
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Bilingual in French is an asset

Working Environment

The ideal candidate can be based anywhere in Canada. When working from home, the incumbent must have a space where they can work comfortably and focus on their tasks. BGC Canada will provide the necessary technology required to get the job done.

If the successful candidate resides in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA-based), they are welcome to work in a hybrid model out of the national office, located near Yonge & Eglinton.

This is a full-time, 16-week contract position that will need to be completed by November 30, 2023. Given the nature of the role, candidates may choose to work outside of regular business hours up to three days a week. The successful candidate will be paid $35.00 an hour.

Application deadline: Friday, July 21, 2023

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Temporary. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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