Senior Researcher

Title: Senior Researcher

Position Type: Full Time/Part-Time

Location: Ottawa (possibility of hybrid work)

Language Proficiency: English or Bilingual

Job Status: Short-term contract (possibility of renewal)

Closing Date: September 14, 2024

Founded in 1998, CDCI Research is one of Canada's longest established historical research management and litigation support companies. CDCI Research has offices in both Ottawa and Vancouver and provides litigation support, historical and applied research and records management to public and private sector clients across Canada. To learn more about CDCI, please visit our website at www.cdci.ca.

CDCI Research is seeking qualified Senior Researcher candidates for opportunities opening over the next several months. Candidates must be able to work in Ottawa at our office location, Library and Archives Canada, and/or at federal government client facilities as required.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of a Research Manager, the Senior Researcher is responsible for conducting various research services, including research planning, file identification, file review, analysis of primary and secondary documents and report writing. The Senior Researcher is also responsible for providing team leadership to personnel "in the field" and tasking coordination oversight throughout the duration of a project. The role may also be responsible for monitoring and tracking project deadlines, deliverables, and resourcing requirements.

This role assists the Research Manager in overseeing the research products of team members by providing them with direction and instruction for the completion of research tasks associated with project files and ensuring high quality standards are met and maintained. This role is also responsible for reviewing research products such as samples of file review summaries and data entry to ensure quality and provide feedback to research team members.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Use auditable research methodologies to plan and conduct primary and secondary records research based on client-specified parameters
• Review and analyze statements of claim, statements of defense and other court documents to identify all factual and policy issues relevant to litigation
• Identify relevant files and documents using electronic databases and finding aids
• Prepare briefing materials on issues related to litigation
• Prepare records for upload into databases, including metadata and image parameters per protocols
• Assemble and/or gather information from paper and database sources into written reports
• Perform quality control activities including reviewing and editing of data to ensure historical content accuracy and the adherence to project protocols and standards
• Prepare regular status/progress reports
• Monitor and track project deliverables, progress, and deadlines - proactively reporting or troubleshooting potential issues with the Project and Research Managers
• Meet assigned work deadlines and priorities; demonstrating the ability to help build and follow detailed project plans
• Lead research teams "in-the-field" providing subject matter expertise and mentorship, and ensure technological and logistical research requirements are met
• Contribute historical content for standing offer bids and proposals (research plans and scenarios)

Demonstrated Qualifications and Experience:

• Graduate degree in the social sciences or humanities in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to history, Indigenous studies, political science, anthropology, sociology or law) AND a minimum of five years of post-graduate experience on complex research projects, including the preparation of formal research plans that identify key information repositories and sources related to the research project; conducting primary records research and writing factual and/or analytical reports delivered to clients
• Experience in the coordination, management and oversight of research teams
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple competing project requirements and deadlines
• Ability to implement and follow project/case management structures and systems
• Extensive working knowledge and experience in Indigenous histories, including litigation research (residential schools research experience is strongly desired)
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to engage in and provide training, follow directions and protocols
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365/Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams
• Experience conducting archival research, including knowledge of Library and Archives Canada
• Understanding of historical/archival/legal research industry
• Must be eligible to obtain PWGSC security clearance

Additional Desired Experience and Qualifications:

• Bilingual (English and French strongly desired)
• Understanding of litigation and E-Discovery best practices
• Experience working with MS Project, PowerBI or other project management software applications
• Experience using and managing litigation support - E-Discovery software, such as: Nuix Discover (Ringtail), Relativity, Summation, LAW, etc.
• Private sector experience working with provincial and federal government clients
• Holds PWGSC Secret security clearance

CDCI offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, life insurance, disability insurance and more.

If you are interested in the position and meet the above qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter by September 14, 2024. In your response, please detail in bullet point fashion how your skills align to each of the noted qualification criteria.

CDCI Research would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

CDCI is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. This commitment applies to all candidates and employees regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, place of origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, disability, age, and any other protected characteristic. All our employment practices are solely based on individual merit and our organization's needs at the time.