Research Opportunity - Evaluation Specialist, Canadian Cancer Society SunSense

Introduction

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Canada, yet it is also one of the most preventable. Exposure to UV radiation increases risk of skin cancer, in fact about 65% of melanoma cases are due to UV radiation. Research shows that 80% of exposure to UV radiation occurs before the age of 18, indicating that childhood is an important period for intervention against skin cancer. To reduce skin cancer cases in Canada there is a need for programs that support children and their families to reduce exposure to UV radiation and practice sun safety.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has been operating the SunSense program in Ontario since 2016. In fall of 2020 CCS received funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to expand the SunSense program to a national scope. Additional funding has been received from several provincial organizations to support the program launch in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. SunSense aims to reduce risk of skin cancer by supporting elementary schools to create sun safe environment and promote sun safety through education, policy, and shade. Schools register for SunSense, access materials and tools, and monitor their progress through the website www.sunsense.ca / www.soleilsanssouci.ca

CCS is seeking an Evaluation Specialist (ES) to conduct a qualitative evaluation of the program to gain understanding of: 1) user experience on the website 2) users overall experience with the program 3) impact of program on school stakeholder knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

The ES will analyze data collected and provide recommendations for improvements

Roles and Responsibilities

The ES will:

▪ lead the design of the evaluation plan, integrate/revise existing tools (used during the Ontario program) and create new data gathering tools and processes where necessary

▪ at a minimum meet bi-monthly with CCS to review progress, refine tools and discuss findings.

▪ complete data gathering to be determined, for example surveys, interviews

▪ monitor data gathering, analyze data, make recommendations

▪ complete preliminary report and final report by deadlines below and present to CCS staff by end of contract

▪ obtain ethics approval to collect data if needed

▪ participate in joint publication of significant findings as possible and mutually agreed upon

CCS will:

▪ review and approve evaluation plan

▪ collect, analyze and report on quantitative data required by the funder.

▪ use tools to implement data collection on an ongoing basis

▪ at minimum, meet bi-monthly with ES to review progress, refine tools and discuss findings and recommendations

▪ approve final report

▪ participate in joint publication of significant findings as possible and mutually agreed upon

Desired SunSense program outputs/outcomes

1. 100 schools across Canada will have registered for SunSense, reaching an estimated 40,000 students

2. SunSense program is simple and easy to implement along with a user-friendly website.

3.

4. Schools indicate that the SunSense program is beneficial to the school community (students, staff, and families) and includes resources they find valuable

5. Increased awareness of best practices for sun safety and skin cancer prevention among school community.

6. Increased adoption of sun safety practices and skin cancer prevention among school community

Amount of Contract

Total budget for the project is $6000 including taxes. ▪ $2500 paid upon signing of contract ▪ $2500 March ▪ $1000 paid upon completion of final report and presentation How Evaluation Findings will be used by CCS to: ▪ Inform adjustments needed to the program model to meet program goals and school objectives and improve delivery. ▪ Contribute to the body of knowledge of effective skin cancer prevention/sun safety interventions ▪ Increase support for the program from government ministries and other funding agencies ▪ Promote program to increase uptake of registrations and support for program from schools, school boards, curriculum developers, and public health.

Deliverables The following outlines the deliverables for the evaluation that should be included within the quote. Deadlines for reports are fixed according to funder requirements. ▪ March 15: Preliminary Report (website user experience) ▪ July 30: Final Report (overall program experience and outcomes) ▪ July 30: Presentation to CCS staff To meet the requirements for this quote, the ES will be expected to, at minimum, undertake all activities in accordance with CCS privacy policy and applicable legislation and regulations.

Required Information-Credentials Package

Please include a credentials package with your submission that will showcase your capabilities/expertise to complete this contract. RFP responses must include the following: ▪ basic description of proposed methodology and recommended indicators including visual of report format elements ▪ information and/or case studies outlining capabilities in the areas outlined above. Include key performance indicators and measured results where available and references (with contact information) ▪ proposed team and credentials ▪ project workflow including activities, timelines and deliverables *Note ▪

Must disclose any conflicts of interests: if you currently work with or for another cancer charity or any clients associated with the tobacco industry. ▪ Subcontracting is the responsibility of the ES. CCS will not have a relationship with any subcontractors for this contract.

Timeline for Quote-Important Dates ▪ September 20, 2021 Deadline for submission Please submit quotes electronically by September 20, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. Please note there is a 2MB size limit on all attachments so please indicate if multi-emails have been sent.

Please respond to: Nancy Wirtz Senior Specialist, Cancer Prevention Canadian Cancer Society Nancy.wirtz@cancer.ca