Data Scientist CERA

CERA seeks a motivated and committed data professional with strong analytical, organizational, and strategic thinking skills to join our team and help us in our ambitious goal of advancing the right to housing for all. In this role, your ability to juggle multiple responsibilities under tight timelines is essential.

Reporting to the Manager of Research, the successful candidate will be a key member of CERA’s research team and responsible for developing, overseeing and implementing CERA’s data  strategy. The Data Scientist will ensure that we are effectively leveraging data from our work with clients and communities, from our partners, and from the broader housing sector in order  to ensure our policy advocacy work is sound and evidence-based and will ensure that our  research projects are appropriately reflecting CERA’s data strategy and priorities. 

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Contract Type: Full-time (position funded through September 2023. Work is ongoing to secure funding beyond that period)

Start Date: April 2022

Location: Remote within Canada

Closing Date: March 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm EST

Hours of work: Flexible

Salary: $75,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Benefits: A generous benefits package will be made available following the end of the three-month probationary period, which includes health and dental benefits, AD&D, Long-term disability and life insurance. Group and individual professional development opportunities are also provided to staff.

Paid time off: Four weeks (20 days) of paid vacation are provided and CERA typically closes between Christmas and New Year’s Day, providing a handful of additional paid days off for staff to rest and recharge. 10 paid days are also provided to use for personal and family illness, injury or medical emergency.

Application Method: Cover letter + resume. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete an assignment and to participate in an interview. Please see instructions below. We welcome applications by email only.

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Serving as the staff lead responsible for all data-related initiatives. 

• Leading the development, implementation and refinement of CERA’s data strategy, and  cultivating a data-enabled culture at CERA. 

• Leading and contributing to the design and development of research initiatives to  ensure that they reflect CERA’s data strategy. 

• Analyzing data collected through CERA’s services and research work including  determining the appropriate methodology and approach; designing the analysis plan;  and preparing reports and presentations summarizing the results. 

• Consulting with CERA’s functional teams to ensure that appropriate data is being  collected to support evidence-based decision making and advice to policy-makers.  • Collaborating on research initiatives and projects with internal and external  stakeholders as the team member responsible for analyzing data and developing data driven insights. 

• Developing data science products, visualizations, and/or web-based applications to  support the release of CERA’s data. 

• Coordinating and consulting on requests for CERA’s data from researchers and other  stakeholders. 

Required Qualifications 

• Advanced Degree in a quantitative field (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Engineering) or related analytical fields (a Bachelor’s Degree would be considered with  the appropriate practical and relevant work experience). 

• At least 3 years of post-graduation professional experience performing data analysis,  reporting, and/or applied research, including gathering requirements, analyzing data  and communicating results, both written and verbally, to technical and non-technical  audiences. 

• Experience using advanced statistical techniques including hypothesis testing and  regression analysis. 

• Experience with scripting languages (e.g. Python), and/or statistical/mathematical  software (e.g. R). Experience with data querying languages (e.g. SQL) an asset. • Skilled in exploratory analysis and mapping data flows, integration of datasets and  reviewing data sources, tools, and methodologies. 

• Outstanding business acumen with data visualization skills and an aptitude for  translating technical outputs into compelling stories. 

• Solid relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate with a variety of  internal and external stakeholders on complex research initiatives. 

• Experience with software development tools and practices (e.g. version control). • Understanding of legislation around privacy and best practices for securing data. • Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English and an ability to  communicate clearly and directly.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint). • Experience working in the field of housing and familiarity of provincial and federal  housing policy is an asset. 

• Experience supervising, mentoring, and supporting staff, students and/or volunteers is  an asset. 

 • Working proficiency in an additional language is an asset, particularly French. 

Skills and attributes 

• Outstanding organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.  

• Ability to multi-task, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and adapt quickly to change.  • Ability to work accurately under pressure with attention to detail and deadlines, and  with minimal supervision. 

• Flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and  multiple and sometimes shifting priorities. 

• Strong strategic thinking skills, political acumen, diplomacy, discretion, tact and good  judgement. 

• We recognize and value the unique perspective that people with lived experience of poverty  and/or precarious housing bring in addition to the skills and qualifications listed above. 

To apply for this job:

Applications should include a resume and cover letter in one PDF document and should be submitted by email to opportunities@equalityrights.org with the subject line: Application – Data Scientist.

At CERA, we believe that a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, and with a range of life experiences to apply.

We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation. We will provide accommodation during the hiring process upon request and information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially

We thank all applicants for their interest.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone enquiries please.