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Governing Council Members, Canadian Institutes of Health Research,

Appointment Opportunities

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The overarching goal of the Minister of Health is to strengthen our publicly-funded universal health care system and ensure that it adapts to new challenges.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country, who are interested in the following positions:

Governing Council Members (part-time positions)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and collaborates with partners and researchers across Canada. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system.

Governing Council members develop the strategic directions, goals and policies of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; they evaluate the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s overall performance, including with respect to the achievement of its objectives; approve the Institute’s budget; and are responsible for establishing the mandate and evaluating the performance of the Institutes. As such, they appoint Scientific Directors and Institutes Advisory Boards members.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's website.

Candidates must apply online by January 16, 2017 via the Governor in Council website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the on-line application.

Members serve without remuneration. However travel and related expenses are reimbursed according to the Institute’s Travel Expenses Reimbursement Guidelines.

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous Canadians, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for one of these positions, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application. Please note that the maximum size of each document uploaded as part of your application is 3 MB. A maximum of five (5) documents may be uploaded in respect of any application, including the cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Education and Experience

  • A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training, and/or experience;
  • Experience serving on one or more boards of complex organizations :
    • research and development;
    • life sciences industry (e.g., pharmaceutical/medical devices/biotechnology);
    • healthcare delivery or administration;
    • community and not-for-profit organizations;
    • business community in fields such as information technology, communications, and finance;
    • governance (including ethics and law);
    • Indigenous health and traditional knowledge; and
    • global health.

If you are selected for an interview, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research;
  • Understanding of health research organizations and familiarity with current health research issues;
  • Knowledge of strategic corporate planning, monitoring and evaluation of corporate performance;
  • Financial literacy and knowledge of the federal government’s expectations with regard to accountability and reporting;
  • Ability to make strategic decisions;
  • Ability to identify matters that could pose a significant risk to the organization;
  • Ability to engage in discussion with other board members; and
  • Informed judgement and superior communications skills.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to verify how you have demonstrated the Experience requirements and the following Personal Attributes in your current and recently held positions:

  • High ethical standards, integrity and clear sense of accountability
  • Visionary leader
  • Strategic thinker and high-level advisor
  • Innovator
  • Collegial

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

In your application, it will be important that you confirm you meet the following requirements:

  • You must attend regularly scheduled meetings (usually three per year) in Ottawa as well as a biyearly retreat held for one to two days at the end of August, outside of Ottawa.
  • You must be willing to accept to sit on at least one Council Committee, which typically meets four times per year.

If you are appointed to one of these positions:

You must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout your appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website, under Forms and reference material.

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for these positions. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

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