Bilingual Research Officer (Labour Relations)
- Ottawa, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
Location: Ottawa, ON
Work Model: Mostly Remote - must be able to go onsite on occasion for key meetings
Additional Notes:
Our client is a prominent federal public sector union in Canada that represents over 27,000 members across a range of specialized fields, including professionals in economics, social sciences, translation, and employees of parliamentary offices and civilian members of federal law enforcement. They are currently seeking a Bilingual Research Officer to provide expert research, analysis, and advice on labour, employment, and collective bargaining matters. The successful candidate will support bargaining processes, monitor policy and legislative developments, conduct member engagement initiatives, and contribute to campaigns and publications that advance the interests and welfare of the membership.Key Responsibilities:
Research and Analysis
- Develops and implements research plans to support collective bargaining and campaign objectives.
- Analyzes information, drafts bargaining proposals, reviews contract language, prepares bargaining updates, conducts pay analyses, and makes recommendations on collective bargaining positions.
- Conducts research and provides analysis, advice, and materials on the political, social, economic, and collective bargaining interests of members.
- Reviews and synthesizes information related to the labour movement and the working conditions and welfare of members.
- Designs and conducts surveys of members on collective bargaining and other relevant issues.
- Selects appropriate methodologies, analyzes findings, and prepares reports interpreting results with actionable recommendations.
- Coordinates member meetings related to bargaining preparation, depending on portfolio.
- Supports open bargaining processes, including development, refinement, and execution.
- Develops reporting mechanisms for bargaining updates delivered by Locals.
- Records meeting minutes and tracks bargaining preparation activities, as required.
- Provides members with information on union policies, labour relations, employment, and campaign matters.
- Prepares policy documents for presentations to Parliamentary committees and other stakeholders.
- Monitors changes to federal employment and staff relations legislation, Treasury Board and Public Service Commission policies, Library of Parliament regulations, employer practices, National Joint Council policies, and trends in labour jurisprudence beyond the federal public service; prepares briefs as needed.
- Contributes research and articles to union publications and website content.
- Creates research tools to support campaigns.
- Provides advice and assistance to the Director of Negotiations and Research and union committees.
- Represents the union at inter-union meetings.
- Organizes and maintains documentation related to duties and recommends appropriate filing systems for record-keeping.
- Masterâs degree in industrial relations, political science, sociology, economics, or a closely related discipline.
- 4 to 7 years of relevant experience in labour relations, collective bargaining, research, or policy analysis within a trade union, government, or advocacy environment.
- Fluency in English and French, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills for conveying complex information to diverse audiences, including members, officers, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to the labour movement and socio-economic justice.
- Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative research, including analyzing pay and benefits data, monitoring labour laws and jurisprudence, and preparing briefs and reports on collective bargaining trends and socio-economic issues.
- Experience guiding and mentoring junior staff, leading member-facing bargaining workshops, and providing strategic advice to support organizational positions.
- Strong skills in mediation, negotiation, facilitation, and arbitration, with a thorough understanding of union protocols, principles, and values.
- Ability to work independently with union committees while effectively supporting campaigns and bargaining objectives.
- Expertise in collective bargaining research and strategy, including survey design, proposal drafting, and translating research into actionable recommendations.
- Strong policy and legislative analysis skills, with experience monitoring labour laws, federal employment policies, and preparing briefs and recommendations to support organizational advocacy.
- Fluent in English and French, with advanced communication skills for reports, presentations, and representing the organization to diverse audiences.