About Western

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

About Us

The Family Studies and Human Development Program in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western explores human development across our lifespan - from birth through adulthood. We explore individual health, well-being through relationships through a biological, cognitive and psychological lens. Part of our mandate is to understand areas that may challenge individuals and families such as homelessness, discrimination, immigration, and we aim to learn how to promote resilience to address these challenges. Position Summary The Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator will support a community-based research project focused on gender-based violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, and survivor-informed systems change in London, Ontario. The project is grounded in community-based participatory research, trauma- and violence-informed approaches, and a commitment to recognizing survivor expertise as essential to the design, implementation, analysis, and knowledge mobilization of the research.

The Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator will coordinate and facilitate the Survivor Advisory Council, support meaningful and ethical survivor engagement, and help ensure that the project remains grounded in the priorities, insights, and lived and living expertise of survivors. The role will include preparing for and facilitating meetings, supporting participation and accessibility, documenting key discussion points, contributing to reflective analysis, and supporting knowledge mobilization activities.

The Facilitator role is focused on group facilitation, engagement, documentation, and knowledge mobilization. It is not intended to replace counselling, crisis intervention, case management, or other direct service supports. The project team will work with the Facilitator to establish clear boundaries, referral pathways, and processes for responding when additional support needs arise.

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will support the research activities for qualitative and quantitative projects in adherence with ethics protocols and guidelines. The incumbent will handle the day-to-day research duties required for the operation of the laboratory or research centre, and may be a liaison between the research team and study participants. The incumbent will assist in the dissemination of research results arising from these projects, and perform qualitative and quantitative data collection, entry and processing. The Research Assistant may also assist with the preparation of any required documents, coordinate travel, and organize meetings for the research team. In this role, the Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator will report to the Principal Investigator or designated project supervisor and work closely with the broader research team to coordinate priorities, timelines, workload, and any support needed to carry out the role effectively.

Questions, concerns, or emerging challenges are welcomed and can be raised with the Principal Investigator, designated supervisor, or another appropriate team member so they can be addressed promptly.

The Facilitator will work collaboratively with Survivor Advisory Council members and community partners to support a respectful, accessible, and trauma- and violence-informed engagement process.

Qualifications

Education:

- Undergraduate degree in a relevant area of focus

Experience:

- 1 year work experience supporting research in a related technical field
- Over 8 years of experience in gender-based violence organizations (e.g., shelter).
- Experience facilitating groups, advisory committees,



community consultations, peer-led spaces, or survivor-centred engagement processes.
- Experience working with communities affected by gender-based violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, or other forms of structural inequity is strongly preferred.
- Experience with community-based participatory research, trauma- and violence-informed practice, anti-oppressive practice, or knowledge mobilization is an asset.

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

- Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
- Ability to employ a systematic and effective approach to work
- Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
- Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
- Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research
- Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
- Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
- Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
- Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
- Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information

Responsibilities

- The Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator will contribute to the following areas of work, in collaboration with the project team and Survivor Advisory Council members:

Survivor Advisory Council Coordination and Facilitation

- Support the planning, coordination, and facilitation of Survivor Advisory Council meetings approximately 4 times a year.
- Work with the project team to develop meeting agendas, discussion questions, facilitation plans, and accessible meeting materials.
- Foster a meeting environment that values survivor expertise, choice, consent, accessibility, cultural safety, and relational accountability.
- Help identify and address participation barriers, including accessibility, technology, transportation, scheduling, emotional safety, and compensation processes.
- Maintain communication with Survivor Advisory Council members before, during, and after meetings, including orientation, check-ins, reminders, and follow-up communication as appropriate.
- Coordinate with the research team to ensure honoraria, accessibility supports, and related expenses are processed in a timely and respectful manner.
- Maintain appropriate documentation of Survivor Advisory Council activities, including attendance, key discussion themes, decisions, follow-up items, and recommendations.
- Protect confidentiality and support ethical engagement practices in all Survivor Advisory Council activities.

Research and Project Support

- Support integration of Survivor Advisory Council guidance into project planning, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and knowledge mobilization.
- Collaborate with the research team to ensure that survivor guidance is clearly documented, considered, and reflected in project decisions, including communicating back to Council members about how their guidance has shaped the project.
- Support the development and refinement of tools, protocols, recruitment materials, interview or focus group guides, and community-facing materials.
- Contribute to reflective analysis of Survivor Advisory Council discussions and identify key themes, priorities, and recommendations.
- Participate in project meetings with the research team and community partners as needed.

Knowledge Mobilization and Writing





- Support development of knowledge mobilization products, including policy briefs, presentations, training materials, plain-language summaries, and public-facing resources.
- Contribute to the translation of research findings into accessible formats for survivors, service providers, policymakers, educators, and community partners.
- Help ensure that knowledge mobilization materials reflect Survivor Advisory Council priorities, language, and recommendations.
- Support planning and facilitation of community knowledge-sharing events, project meetings, presentations, or workshops.
- Other project-related and knowledge mobilization duties as requested.

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume. Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Please note: This is a part-time, flexible, annualized role. Work may be completed remotely, in person, or in a hybrid format, depending on project needs and Survivor Advisory Council preferences. Some meetings or activities may take place outside regular business hours to support accessibility and participation.

The role involves engagement with discussions related to violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, and service system experiences. The project team recognizes that this work can carry emotional and relational demands and is committed to establishing clear boundaries, realistic workloads, opportunities for debriefing, and appropriate supports.

The project team is committed to fostering a respectful, accessible, and collaborative work environment. The team will work with the Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator to identify the tools, accommodations, communication practices, and other supports needed to carry out the role. The Facilitator will be encouraged to raise changing access needs, workload concerns, or other challenges throughout the project without fear of penalty.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone (phone hidden).

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. Please note: This is a part-time, hourly role paid at $35 per hour. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Hours will be flexible and variable, with no fixed number of hours per week.

They will fluctuate based on Survivor Advisory Council activities, meeting schedules, project timelines, and knowledge mobilization needs. The role will involve a maximum of 100 hours during the initial one-year term and no more than 15 hours in any given month. The Facilitator will track and submit hours for approval in accordance with project and institutional procedures.

📌 Research Assistant - Survivor Advisory Council Facilitator (London)
🏢 Western University
📍 London