Job description Officer, Social Programs in Canada

Find out what work is like for an officer, social programs in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 41403).

Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers

Description

Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, develop policy and implement or administer programs in areas such as consumer affairs, employment, home economics, immigration, law enforcement, corrections, human rights, housing, labour, family services, foreign aid and international development. They are employed by government departments and agencies, hospitals, educational institutions, consulting establishments, professional associations, research institutes, non-government organizations and international organizations or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Social policy researchers
  • Develop social programs and policies, social legislation, or proposals based on demographic, social and economic research, analysis and the evaluation of pilot projects.
  • Home economists
  • Advise and assist consumers on the selection and proper use of food products, textiles and other consumer goods and teach household management skills. They may also provide consultative services in the areas of development and promotion of new food products, retail buying, social program administration and small business endeavours.
  • Housing policy analysts
  • Identify and assess economic, demographic, and social developments and report on their implications for housing policy.
  • Immigration and citizenship consultants
  • Conduct research, advise clients and prepare immigration, citizenship and visas applications. They may also represent clients at tribunals and before administrative bodies.
  • International aid and development project officers
  • Plan, organize and administer foreign aid and international development policies and programs.
  • Social survey researchers
  • Develop questionnaires, coordinate and conduct surveys, analyse data, and compile and interpret statistics on social issues and policy areas.
  • Social services planners
  • Conduct research, develop social programs, assess, coordinate and develop awareness of existing social services, and ensure that duplication of services is avoided. They may also work with land use planners to determine the impact of major land use plans for transportation, housing and recreational facilities projects.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 41403), and a list of similar occupations:

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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