Archived Opportunities

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Members, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,

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 Science is to support scientific research and the integration of scientific considerations in our investment and policy choices.

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

Members (part-time positions)

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Sciences and Engineering Research Canada) is the federal research funding agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada invests over $1 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveries – valuable world-firsts in knowledge pursued by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher-industry partnerships established by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada help advance R&D, solve scale-up challenges, and mitigate the risks of developing new technology.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada promotes and supports an active Discovery and Innovation dynamic by collaborating with more than 3,500 public and private organizations. The results are profound: 27,800 students were trained in industrial settings over the past five years, 1 in 6 of these interactions led to jobs placed in industry, 33 percent of supported faculty currently work with industry, and 37 percent of supported PhD students obtain industrial experience during their degrees.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has a governing council consisting of the President and not more than 18 other members. The members are distinguished representatives from the private, academic, not-for-profit and public sectors appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister. The functions of the Council are to promote and assist research in the natural sciences and engineering, other than the health sciences; and to advise the Minister in respect of such matters relating to such research as the Minister may refer to the Council for its consideration.

Council advises the President on strategy and high level policies for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and reviews and evaluates performance. The Council works to achieve the greatest strategic impact for Canada from the expenditure of public funds, and ensures that public funds are allocated in a manner that maximizes research outcomes. Council members represent the Canadian public and rely upon their knowledge of current issues and trends in the natural sciences and engineering to strengthen the president’s ability to lead the organization with the conviction that comes from independent advice and, with the support of Council, to confidently account to the Minister and to Parliament for the decisions made, the resources expended, and the results achieved.

Council is advised on policy and programming matters by standing committees that are responsible for overseeing, where appropriate, the work of selection committees and panels. The committee structure adopted by the Council enables it to devote most of its deliberations to broad policies, strategic direction and financial issues.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's website.

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 5, 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.

Remuneration: Nil; however, reasonable travel and other expenses incurred while absent from your ordinary place of residence in the course of your duties will be paid (statutory).

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:

Education and Experience

• A graduate degree from a recognized university or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;
• Significant national or international experience in research or research management within the academic, private, not-for-profit or public sector;
• Experience developing, implementing and managing strategic initiatives within the post-secondary sector or other private, not-for-profit or public sector organizations;
• Experience in strategic management, organizational change and management techniques, which promote and improve organizational performance;
• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for an academic, private, not-for-profit or public sector organization would be an asset; and
• Experience in public policy development with a particular focus on the academic research community, would be an asset.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s mandate, business activities and governing legislation, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act;
• Knowledge of Canada’s academic community, including the following: knowledge of the post-secondary education system; an understanding of funding for post-secondary students and researchers, respectively; and challenges and opportunities related to generating knowledge, to developing talented leaders, and to facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration across research disciplines, post-secondary institutions and all sectors of society;
• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities related to natural sciences and engineering research;
• Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s structure and operations, and its relationship with the research funding agencies;
• Knowledge of corporate governance and risk management policies, practices and principles;
• Ability to understand emerging and global trends;
• Ability to provide strategic guidance on how to efficiently and appropriately develop and implement activities that support the mission and strategic objectives of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada;
• Ability to understand, interpret and evaluate financial statements and budgets;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other council members and stakeholders; and
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to manage communications with a variety 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:

• Superior interpersonal skills
• Sound judgment
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Tact and diplomacy
• Initiative

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

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

• You must be willing to participate in Council and committee meetings in Canada, which occur two to four times a year in person, and one to four times via teleconference.

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.