Research Methods Specialist (Data Steward) - Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO, www.youthhubs.ca) is a network of 32, Integrated Youth Services (IYS) networks that currently operate in over 40 communities, where young people ages 12 to 25 years have walk-in access to youth-centered, community-based mental health and wellness services. YWHO engages youth, family members, service providers, and other partners through a co-creation process, enhancing the relevance, acceptability, and youth friendliness of services. The hubs are provincially consistent in core features and locally led and adapted to offer and connect to a range of evidence- based services—mental health care, substance use health services, primary care, education, employment, housing, peer support, family support and care.

As IYS expands across the country, work is underway to implement a pan-Canadian youth data platform, that will allow YWHO, together with IYS from across the country, to share data and knowledge about the experiences and needs of youth and families, the impact of IYS services, and how best to expand IYS so that all young people in Canada are supported to reach their inherent potential for wellness and growth. Foundational to implementing the IYS data platform will be a youth- and equity-focused data governance framework that ensures that IYS data are of high quality, secure, accessible, and appropriately shared and used.

To support this, YWHO is seeking a full-time, 2-year contract Research Methods Specialist (Data Steward). The Data Steward will support the development and continuous improvement of YWHO’s data governance framework, as well as YWHO’s participation in the implementation of the pan-Canadian IYS data platform by managing and overseeing YWHO’s data assets to ensure data quality, privacy, security and compliance. The Data Steward will also support other YWHO research, evaluation, and data quality initiatives by supporting the enhancement of data infrastructure and related capacity building activities. Reporting to YWHO’s Director, Data Management and Evaluation, the successful candidate will work with internal YWHO data holders, other IYS Data Stewards and research partners from across Canada, data engineers from CAMH’s Krembil Centre for Neuro-informatics (KCNI), and project managers, to ensure the effective, ethical and responsible incorporation, use, and management of data for various use cases of the IYS data platform as well as for other youth mental health research projects.

• Lead the development, implementation and ongoing refinement of YWHO’s data governance framework, policies, and standards, aligned with YWHO’s data strategy and the Pan-Canadian IYS Data Platform.
• Champion and operationalize responsible data governance principles across the full data lifecycle, including OCAP®, CARE, EGAP, and other Indigenous data sovereignty and anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Liaise with legal, privacy, and ethics experts to ensure that all data practices comply with relevant legislation, regulations and best practices for management of health research data and personal health information.
• Manage internal and external requests for YWHO data in accordance with approved governance frameworks, policies and agreements.
• Represent YWHO in the IYS Data Platform’s Data Steward Community of Practice, and relevant data governance tables.
• Support YWHO’s participation in the implementation of the IYS Data Platform, including identifying and shaping use cases relevant to youth, families, and communities.
• Work collaboratively with other IYS Data Stewards, research partners, and CAMH technical teams to align data management practices across networks where feasible and appropriate.
• Oversee the quality, integrity and documentation of YWHO data assets and data management practices through robust data quality assurance and privacy standards, ensuring appropriate security controls and compliance with data governance requirements across operational, clinical, and research data domains
• Support the development and enhancement of YWHO’s data infrastructure, including digital platforms, data collection practices, data models, and reporting mechanisms.
• Lead or support data harmonization efforts across different data sets, platforms and external data sources, applying culturally relevant and equity-informed approaches in collaboration with diverse partners, including youth, family partners, service providers, other academics, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
• Co-develop data policies, protocols, and practices with YWHO leadership, staff, youth, families and Indigenous communities that reflect the rights, values and lived experience of youth and other communities that YWHO serves.
• Support data literacy, capacity-building initiatives, and clear communication with internal and external partners about YWHO’s data governance framework, data standards, structures, quality expectations, and provide guidance on data stewardship responsibilities, data quality practices, and the ethical use of data
• Monitor adherence to data governance policies, standards, agreements, and regulatory requirements, identifying and escalating data quality, privacy, security, and compliance issues as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and objectives of the role.

• Honours Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or computer and informational science or a related field is required. Graduate degree in a relevant health sciences, computer sciences, health policy/administration, public health, or related field from a recognized institution is considered an asset.
• 5+ years of experience working in the mental health and substance use system preferred, supporting large-scale implementation or knowledge mobilization or research initiatives, with demonstrated experience in similar responsibilities listed in this posting.
• 5+ years experience in overseeing the development and implementation of data governance programs, including supporting their continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with data quality, privacy, security, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• 3+ years of experience using data visualization technologies like Superset, Tableau, or others.
• Experience working with youth mental health data management, including sociodemographic and clinical datasets preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous and Black Health data governance frameworks.
• Strong understanding and experience supporting a Learning Health System and/or Integrated Youth Services are considered assets.
• Strong knowledge and experience in data management across the data lifecycle, including creating, processing, analysis, preservation, access, and reuse of data.
• Strong knowledge of data engineering systems, data models, and data structures.
• Knowledge of applicable privacy legislation, ethical standards, and best practices related to the management and stewardship of health and research data.
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and determined attitude towards ensuring accuracy and integrity.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; balancing strategic alignment with technology roadmap and emerging industry trends with practical delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, youth, families, and external partners in a team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships and networks with different types of partners, including youth, families, researchers, and clinicians, while managing expectations and risks of interest groups.
• Understanding of innovation methodologies and their potential application to healthcare.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, coaching and mentoring skills coupled with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Bilingualism (French/English) and/or proficiency in a second language are assets.

All applicants offered and accepting employment must complete either a Broad Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check. The offer of employment will be conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory records check.

Salary Range: $42.67-$57.55/hour

CAMH is a fully affiliated teaching hospital and research institute of the University of Toronto. As a CAMH employee, you will contribute to our mission by supporting teaching, research, and clinical care across the hospital.

CAMH is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment is to foster a workplace, teaching, and learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination or harassment.

CAMH strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; LGBTQ2S+ communities; women; and people with disabilities, including those with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Thank you to all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.

To learn more about CAMH, please visit their website at: www.camh.ca.

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