Term of position: 4 months

Overview:

Active Action will provide Research Assistants with learning opportunities to develop essential skills and competencies. Throughout the four-month tenure, Research Assistants will engage in various training sessions, hands-on assignments, and professional development meetings. This curriculum is designed to ensure a comprehensive learning experience, enabling both professional growth and practical expertise.

Monthly Learning Sessions:

Month 1:

1. Environmental Scan and Jurisdictional Scan

• Duration: 1 hour
• Objective: Research Assistants will learn how to systematically review and analyze different environments and jurisdictions to gather relevant data.
• Content:
  • • Introduction to environmental scanning
    • Techniques for conducting jurisdictional scans
    • Synthesis of information
    • Case studies and practical exercises

2. Knowledge Translation Materials

• Duration: 2 hours
• Objective: Research Assistants will learn how create effective knowledge translation materials such as infographics and videos.
• Content:
  • • Basics of knowledge translation
    • Designing infographics
    • Creating engaging video content
    • Tools and software tutorials

Month 2:

Project Management

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Objective: Research Assistants will acquire an understanding of project management principles and practices.
• Content:
  • • Project lifecycle and phases
    • Planning and scheduling techniques
    • Risk management and mitigation
    • Use of project management tools

Month 3:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Objective: Research Assistants will learn how to effectively engage with stakeholders to gather insights and foster collaboration.
• Content:
  • • Identifying and mapping stakeholders
    • Engagement strategies and communication
    • Techniques for conducting stakeholder meetings
    • Building and maintaining relationships

Month 4:

Grant Writing

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Objective: Research Assistants will learn how to write grant proposals.
• Content:
  • • Understanding the grant writing process
    • Key components of a grant proposal
    • Tips for writing compelling narratives
    • Review and feedback on sample proposals

Personalized Development:

One-on-One Meetings with Founders:

• Frequency: Twice (One in the 2nd and another in the 4th month)
• Objective: Discuss career aspirations, provide personalized guidance, and support with professional development.
• Content:
  • • Career goal setting
    • Skill assessment and development planning
    • Networking opportunities (depending on availability)
    • Feedback and progress reviews

Practical Experience:

Hands-on Assignments:

• Objective: Apply learned skills in the organization’s projects to gain practical experience.
• Types of work: The types of work that Research Assistants will be required to do during their tenure, but not limited to, include the following:
  • Conducting environmental scan, jurisdictional scans and synthesis of information
  • Creating knowledge translation materials
  • Writing articles/blog posts
  • Creating posts and contents for social media
  • Assisting in project management tasks
  • Engaging with stakeholders (if needed)
  • Supporting grant writing efforts (if needed)

Peer Collaboration:

• Objective: Conduct teamwork and knowledge sharing among Research Assistants.
• Activities:
  • Group discussions and brainstorming sessions
  • Peer reviews and feedback
  • Collaborative projects and presentations