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President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research,

Appointment Opportunity

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada's diversity. The Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples 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 position:

President (full-time position)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research was created under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act, which came into force on June 7, 2000. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. Composed of 13 Institutes, it collaborates with partners and researchers, and its 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. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is managed by the President and a Governing Council consisting of 18 members, including the President and the Deputy Minister of Health, appointed by the Governor in Council to represent the highest standards of scientific excellence and a range of relevant backgrounds and disciplines. The President and the Governing Council are also assisted by various Standing and Advisory Committees.

The President is the Chairperson of the Governing Council, and as the Chair of Governing Council and its Executive Committee, is responsible for developing a vision and framework of support and encouragement for outstanding health research consistent with a national research agenda; engaging the public, partners, provincial institutions, federal departments, the health industry and volunteer health organizations to support outstanding research, researchers, innovative partnerships and transfer of knowledge to practical use for the benefit of Canadians; and developing the overall objectives and priorities for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The President is also accountable for providing strategic guidance for and oversight of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Finally, the President represents the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and promotes its vision and mandate as appropriate at meetings across Canada and internationally.

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 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 13, 2017, via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Salary Range: $259,900 - $305,700 (GC-10)

Position Location: National Capital Region

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 peoples, 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 doctoral degree in a health research discipline, or a medical degree with post-graduate training in health research from a recognized university;
  • International stature as health researcher with extensive cutting-edge research experience;
  • Executive-level management experience ideally acquired within a university, teaching hospital, health research institute, or other similar public or private sector research organization with a health research mandate and which provided national and international exposure;
  • Experience in building, fostering, integrating and maintaining strategic partnerships and collaborative arrangements amongst a diverse health research community and governments through a dynamic framework for research investment and knowledge translation, and in ensuring strong productive and supportive alliances with a rich array of stakeholders in and outside of Canada; and
  • Experience in working with a Board of Directors or equivalent.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge and understanding of the Government of Canada, its institutions and processes, especially as they relate to the development of health research, and science and technology policies;
  • Knowledge of the academic community, the key public, private and voluntary sector organizations, as well as international agencies and their relation to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s objectives and strategies;
  • Knowledge of the full spectrum of the Canadian health research community from biomedical to clinical, health services and population and public health research, the future direction of health research and the challenges of translating knowledge to clinicians and decision-makers;
  • Knowledge of the scope of health research issues, from both a national and international perspective;
  • Knowledge and understanding of workplace wellness issues, including mental health, and of risk identification and management;
  • Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders, including the media, ministers, parliamentary committees, other government representatives, the public, the research community, and the private sector;
  • Ability to represent the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and promote its vision and mandate as appropriate, at high-level meetings across Canada and internationally;
  • Ability to provide the corporate vision and leadership needed to achieve the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s mandate, realize its strategic directions and identify, analyze and define long-range priorities and strategies to ensure Canada remains a world leader in health research;
  • Ability to develop and negotiate multi-partner agreements, build bridges, fruitful collaborations and alliances with stakeholders (including university, hospital, voluntary health sector, international, government, private sector and other health research partners), and establish effective networks;
  • Ability to work effectively within the context of the Government of Canada’s requirements for accountability and transparency, and within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s budget; and
  • Ability to integrate the varied and complex requirements and expectations which originate from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s partners, the scientific community, clients, government and the private sector.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages is 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:

  • Exemplary and inspiring leadership skills
  • High ethical standards, integrity and clear sense of accountability
  • Strategic thinker and high-level advisor
  • Visionary mind and innovator
  • Strong and effective people management, interpersonal and negotiating skills
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Calm under pressure, emotional intelligence
  • Sound judgment

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

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

  • You must be able to contribute to the achievement of the objective of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in the overall interests of Canadians (statutory).
  • You must reflect the highest standards of scientific excellence (statutory).
  • You must be prepared to travel extensively across Canada and abroad.
  • You must be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance (if required).

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. Public office holders appointed on a full–time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. 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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