ORGANIZATION: Pathways to Education Canada
POSITION: Director, Research & Evaluation
REPORTING TO: Chief Impact Officer
LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
WEBSITE: www.pathwaystoeducation.ca
About Pathways to Education
We’re looking for someone who can change the paradigm for Canadian youth living in poverty. Someone who enjoys building partnerships, making an impact, and working with energetic, high-performing teams. Is that you?
Pathways to Education is a national, charitable organization breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Its award-winning program is creating positive social change by supporting youth living in low-income communities to overcome barriers to education, graduate from high school, and build the foundation for a successful future. Through the collective power of partnerships, Pathways to Education’s innovative program is preparing youth for tomorrow.
The Opportunity
As the Director of Research and Evaluation at Pathways to Education Canada, you will lead a dynamic team in shaping the organization’s research and evaluation initiatives. You’ll spearhead the development, implementation, and monitoring of internal research plans, ensuring that our programs remain effective in breaking the cycle of poverty through education. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful change by conducting program evaluations, overseeing performance measurement frameworks, and conducting market research.
Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, you’ll collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders, driving innovation and continuous improvement in our programs. If you’re passionate about leveraging research and evaluation to empower youth and communities and have a proven track record in research leadership and social impact, this role is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
What You’ll Do
Lead Research & Evaluation Strategy:
- Develop and implement program evaluation methods to assess program effectiveness and impact.
- Conduct process evaluations and outcome evaluations to measure program success, employing methodologies to support community-based research.
- Maintain and refine the organization’s theory of change and logic models.
- Conduct research to enhance program effectiveness and innovation.
- Use research findings to inform program enhancements and strategic decision-making.
Develop Performance Measurement Framework:
- Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Performance Measurement Framework.
- Identify new performance metrics, targets, and benchmarks.
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of program and organizational performance data.
Conduct Cyclical Program Reviews:
- Lead cyclical program reviews to ensure program relevance and effectiveness.
- Gather stakeholder feedback and analyze program data to make recommendations for improvements.
Ensure Data Quality and Compliance:
- Oversee data collection and analysis to ensure data quality and compliance.
- Develop and strengthen internal data, measurement, and evaluation policies and practices in close collaboration with the Business Intelligence team.
Conduct Market Research:
- Lead a research process to assess the need for new programs and services.
- Collaborate with internal teams to conceptualize, design, and test new program initiatives.
Collaborate with Internal Teams:
- Collaborate closely with internal teams to support program development and improvement.
- Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and planning processes.
Lead Team:
- Lead the Research & Evaluation Department, including goal setting and performance management.
- Supervise all research and evaluation work, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Provide guidance and support to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of projects.
What You Bring
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (PhD preferred).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in research leadership including program evaluation, performance measurement, and market research (including needs assessments, customer experience research) and making practical recommendations for programming. Community-based research experience is an asset.
- Strong analytical and data analysis skills with the proven ability to interpret complex data and draw actionable and practical insights.
- Experience with modern analytic and data visualization tools (e.g., R, Python, Power BI).
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
- Proven leadership and project management abilities.
- Ability to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Interest in making an impact by working in a non-profit, education-related charity.
- Bilingualism (English/French) would be a great asset.
What We Offer
- An exciting opportunity to be part of a leading not-for-profit dedicated to excellence and impact.
- A collaborative work environment with a culture of innovation.
- Opportunities for learning and professional development.
- Competitive salary.
- Generous vacation and health benefits package.
- Group RRSP program.
Join Our Team:
To confidentially explore this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume with the subject line ‘Director, Research & Evaluation’ to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until 5pm on May 3, 2024. Pathways Canada thanks all applicants for their interest. Due to volume, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Pathways to Education Canada is committed to fostering a diverse work environment, one that is inclusive of different races, ethnic origin, citizenship, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ages, family status, disability status, and intersectional identities. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply and advise us of any accommodations or supports needed to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process.