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Chairperson, National Seniors Council,

Appointment Opportunity

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 Families, Children and Social Development is to increase Canadians’ economic and social security.

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 position:

Chairperson (part-time position)

National Seniors Council

The National Seniors Council shall advise the Government of Canada, through the Minister of Employment and Social Development – styled Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – and the Minister of Health, on all matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors, including the opportunities and challenges arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse aging population. As directed by those Ministers, the National Seniors Council shall:

  • advise on current and emerging issues and opportunities related to the quality of life and well-being of seniors, both current and future seniors;
  • as needed, undertake activities such as commissioning research, convening expert panels and roundtables, and holding consultative meetings; and
  • deliver well-balanced advice, taking into account the views of experts, seniors, organizations and groups that provide seniors’ programs and services, provincial/territorial advisory bodies on seniors, and other relevant stakeholders and interested parties.

The Chairperson provides leadership for the Council, presides over all Council meetings, serves as a primary spokesperson with media, stakeholders and government officials, liaises and communicates advice to federal Ministers on behalf of the Council, and works with the Council Secretariat, providing direction regarding Council activities.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the National Seniors Council's website.

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 19, 2017, via the Governor in Council Appointments 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 online application.

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for this position. 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 this position, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:

Education and Experience

  • A university degree or college diploma in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience;
  • A post-graduate degree would be considered an asset;
  • A record of academic, peer-reviewed publication in a field related to quality of life and well-being of seniors would be considered an asset;
  • Extensive academic or research or professional experience in a field related to the quality of life and well-being of seniors;
  • Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary research or project team;
  • Experience chairing boards or committees, facilitating public meetings or panel discussions, and speaking to the media;
  • Experience interacting or partnering with the federal government or a provincial or territorial government, preferably with senior government officials, would be considered an asset; and
  • Extensive experience focusing on seniors or population aging issues in relation to health, demographic changes, housing or inter-provincial transportation, would be considered an asset.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of matters related to the health, well-being and quality of life of Canadian seniors;
  • Knowledge of the opportunities and challenges arising from Canada’s aging population;
  • Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s roles and responsibilities in terms of policy, programs, and services for seniors and Canada’s aging population;
  • Extensive knowledge regarding immigrant, indigenous and/or LGBTQ sub-populations of seniors would be considered an asset;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive and collaborative relationships and work collaboratively with seniors, experts, organizations representing seniors, groups that provide seniors’ programs and services, provincial/territorial advisory bodies and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Demonstrated ability to provide recommendations and advice on seniors’ health, well-being and quality of life issues to committees, boards of directors, or other governing organizations in either the public, non-profit, or private sector, particularly on seniors-related issues;
  • Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives (e.g., research, expert panels, consultative meetings, and multidisciplinary projects) in either community, voluntary, business, academic, or professional sectors that serve the needs or broader interests of seniors; and
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate research findings or other information about seniors’ issues and make recommendations to policymakers and to a broader audience of stakeholders.

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:

  • Judgment and integrity
  • Analytical skills
  • High ethical standards
  • Superior interpersonal and communication skills

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

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

  • You are available for approximately 15 to 20 days of remunerated work per year.
  • You are willing and able to travel across Canada.

If you are appointed to this position:

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 this position. 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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