Contract Position Available: Research & Evaluation Associate

The John Howard Society of Ontario (JHS Ontario) invites applications from individuals for the position of Research & Evaluation Associate.

JHS Ontario is a well-established and dynamic social purpose organization with a mission of effective, just & humane responses to crime and its causes. We are innovators and leaders in non-partisan research, evidence-based programming and policy development in the justice sector specializing in bridging the gap between analysis and frontline service delivery.  By collaborating closely with the 19 John Howard Society Local Offices across Ontario, JHSO’s team of analysts and researchers develops policy positions that truly reflects the needs of each community, advances those positions to governments and other organizations, educates the public on the critical issues, and evaluates program efficacy to guide future work.     

Reporting to the Director of Policy, this position is responsible for collecting and analyzing data and supporting research and evaluation activities that contribute to JHS Ontario’s policy work, projects and organizational initiatives. The applicant will have post-graduate level education with a minimum of 1-year professional research experience in a relevant sector or equivalent combination of academic internship/placement experience. 

This position is located in downtown Toronto and operates in a hybrid work environment, offering a combination of remote and in-office work at 35 hours per week.  This is a 12-month contract position with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada.

For a detailed position description, including qualifications required, or for more information about JHS Ontario, please visit our website at https://johnhoward.on.ca/employment-opportunities/research-evaluation-associate/ 

Please submit your resume and cover letter by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Tasks, Duties, Responsibilities:

Deliver high-quality research, evaluation and data-driven project activities through:

Conducting qualitative and quantitative research activities, including fieldwork, interviews, surveys and data collection

Performing data entry, preparing and organizing datasets and conducting preliminary analysis

Managing datasets, maintaining data documentation and ensuring data integrity and security

Drafting reports, briefs, manuscripts, proposals, presentations and knowledge-mobilization materials

Assisting in the design and refinement of logic models, theories of change, evaluation frameworks and data-collection tools

Supporting monitoring, process and impact evaluations by gathering information, compiling findings and preparing preliminary summaries

Conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, methodological summaries and policy scans to support research and evaluation planning

Supporting grant proposals, research ethics submissions, progress reports and project reporting requirements as needed

Strengthen organizational research and evaluation capacity through:

Maintaining and updating research and evaluation templates, data-collection tools, forms and consent documents

Conducting background research to support the identification of emerging research questions, funding opportunities and potential academic or community partnerships

Maintaining the Centre’s research library and resource database

Support JHS Local Offices with research and analysis through:

Providing evaluation, research and data collection support on projects and programs

Preparing data summaries, research briefs, background materials and evaluation support documents

Assisting with the preparation and delivery of presentations, workshops and capacity-building sessions

Support organizational projects, committees and initiatives through:

Participating in meetings, working groups and cross-organizational initiatives

Assisting with committee logistics, documentation and follow-up

Ensuring all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, privacy regulations and appropriate methodological standards

Monitoring developments in justice-related research, community-based practice and program evaluation to inform JHSO’s work

Preparing internal summaries of sector trends, legislation or emerging evidence

Participate in meetings, wellness and safety training and other professional development opportunities, as required

JHSO may alter, remove or add to your duties and responsibilities over time, to meet its evolving needs, without advance notice (except for such notice as may be required under statutory minimum standards legislation)

Other duties as assigned from time to time by the Director of Policy

Education, Training & Skills Required for the Job:

Master’s level degree in relevant field, with professional research and evaluation experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience conducting program evaluations and applying evaluation frameworks

Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies

Ability to assess threats to internal and external validity

Excellent writing, interpersonal and organizational skills

Ability to apply logical and scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical challenges

Ability to navigate both abstract concepts and concrete data with sound judgment

Ability to conduct research and analysis, and synthesize, distil and communicate information in different ways for different audiences, including producing reports, PowerPoint presentations and infographics

Strong and inclusive professional manners, demonstrating respect for diverse perspectives in line with JHSO’s commitment to DEI

Work Experience:

Minimum of 1-year professional experience in research related to the social and/or criminal justice sectors or equivalent combination of academic internship/placement experience.

Hiring Range:

$62,000 – $65,000

JHS Ontario embraces diversity and equity and is committed to building a staff team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills that allows us to better understand and meet the needs of our staff and the communities that are impacted by our work. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who apply and advise that we will be responding only to those selected for an interview. JHS Ontario provides an inclusive and barrier free recruitment process to candidates with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).  If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.