Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Hourly - Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title

Peer Mentor

Department

CPS Research | Centre for Disease Control | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$35.30 - $50.72 CAD Hourly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

May 16, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

November 30, 2027

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
We are the Digital & Sexual Health Initiative at the BC Centre for Disease Control and University of British Columbia. We are looking for a Peer Mentor to support peer research assistants in two of our ongoing studies, the Digital Determinants of Health (DDoH) study and the ASTERR study (Adapting Self-collection Kits for STBBI Testing for Rural and Remote Communities in BC). The Peer Mentor position is hourly, with 4 hours per week on average and up to 8 hours a week. The position will be hybrid, primarily working remotely. Travel may be required for training sessions. This position is grant funded, with possibility of extension.

• About the DDoH study: This study aims to understand how digital factors like internet access, digital literacy and trust in technology (so-called digital determinants of health, or in short DDoH) impact access to health and social services, especially for populations facing barriers in accessing services related to sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs). These populations include: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities; African, Caribbean, and Black communities; Other racialized people; 2SLGBTQ+ communities; People who use drugs; People who experience incarceration; Sex workers and their clients; People living with HIV and those with lived and living experience of viral hepatitis; Newcomers, migrants, and immigrants to Canada, particularly from regions with high HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C prevalence; Women and youth within these groups.
• About the ASTERR study: This study aims to develop a blueprint for self-collection STBBI testing intervention that can be adapted to rural and remote communities in BC. Self-collection kits allow people to collect their own samples and return them to a lab. Self-collection STBBI testing can improve access by addressing barriers such as long travel distance, stigma and privacy concerns.

Organizational Status
As an integral member of the Digital & Sexual Health Initiative research team, this position reports to the Research Manager and works closely with postdoctoral fellows and research assistants to support Peer Researchers and liaise with partnering community organizations of these studies.

Work Performed
The Peer Mentor will:

• Provide recommendations to academic team members on best practices of engaging Peer Research Assistants to foster an inclusive, culturally safe, and trauma informed learning and work environment, including identifying and addressing power imbalances, barriers to participation, and potential harms
• Act as a liaison between academic team members, Peer Research Assistants and partnering community organizations to build trust and maintain partnerships
• Co-develop and deliver training for Peer Research Assistants with the academic team members on trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches to engaging participants
• Plan and organize mentorship sessions with Peer Research Assistants to support development and performance in qualitative health research and ensure wellbeing by providing guidance in navigating sensitive or challenging situations and escalating concerns appropriately
• Participate in study team meetings and review documents and procedures to provide guidance on community-engaged research design, implementation and dissemination
• Contribute to maximizing the research impacts through study promotion in communities facing barriers in accessing STBBI-related services
• Perform other duties as needed

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position exercises judgement in work methods for assignments and is responsible for the completion of the task.

Supervision Received
This position works under general direction within institutional policies, established research procedures, and standards set out by the Manager. Work is reviewed against task objectives and conformity to standards.

Supervision Given
This position will support and mentor Peer Research Assistants and may assign and review their work.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Those identifying as a member of populations facing barriers in accessing STBBI related services are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Passion to address health inequities

• Proven ability to work respectfully with community agencies as well as diverse community members

• Experience supporting and mentoring other peers

• Understanding and commitment to community-engaged research

• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment

• Ability to think critically and analytically

• Ability to exercise tact, discretion and safeguard confidentiality

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Proficient with MS Office software (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive) and videoconference application (e.g., MS Teams, Zoom)

• Access to reliable Internet is preferred

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.