We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
CIHR offices are located in Ottawa, Ontario; however, CIHR employees are currently working within flexible work arrangements. As pandemic measures ease over time, some positions may continue to be carried out remotely. Operational requirements will determine the need for relocation and will be discussed as applicable with candidates.
You must provide a curriculum vitae outlining previous professional experiences. Additionally, when you apply, you will be asked a series of screening questions based on the essential education and experience criteria below. If you are unable to complete your application prior to the closing date, please contact us at the email listed below.
WHO ARE WE?
CIHR's mission is to support a healthier Canada by leading investment in innovative and collaborative research and helping to solve our health care challenges today and in the future. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
WHY WORK AT CIHR?
CIHR is dedicated to creating a healthy and stimulating work environment. People are the foundation of our organization. As a member of a CIHR team, you will become part of a diverse community where teamwork and the sharing of ideas amplifies our effectiveness. In addition to a dynamic environment where your work is valued by senior management, CIHR offers excellent conditions that set the agency apart from other employers. For instance, employees enjoy:
• Competitive salary scale: bilingual bonuses and performance pay
• Progressive work environment
• Flexible Work Model & Remote work opportunities
• Seamless transition for public servants
• A great work-life balance
The CIHR is a separate agency of the Government of Canada, which allows us to establish human resources policies and programs that meet our specific needs.
As a Government of Canada Agency, CIHR employees are public servants and receive the same pension and benefits as the core public administration. Transition from and to the core is easy and seamless for candidates. We encourage existing public servants to contact the email address below for questions related to transferring to a separate agency.
Are you looking for new challenges in a dynamic team? Are you looking for an environment where your expertise is recognized and heard?
If you answered yes to the above, then come join our team!
The intent of this process is to staff various positions on a temporary or indeterminate basis. A pool of qualified candidates may be established to staff future identical or similar positions within CIHR with various tenures (assignment, specified period or indeterminate), various security clearance levels, and various linguistic profiles.
This advertised process will be used to staff a variety of roles at the grade 10 (equivalent to EC-05) and grade 11 (equivalent to EC-06) levels across the organization. Below you will find brief descriptions of the roles and responsibilities for reference. At the time of application, you will not be asked to apply to a specific role. Once an initial review of the essential education and experience is completed, successful applicants will be asked for further information on their areas of interest and to provide additional information on any relevant asset qualifications for those specific roles through a separate questionnaire. We highly recommend early consideration of your answers for all aspects of the statement of merit, i.e. situational and behavioural examples.
Associate (GR10) and Project Lead (GR11), Initiative Management and Institute Support:
As part of the Initiative Management and Institute Support branch, these roles contribute to the planning, implementation, and management of CIHR’s large-scale, and priority-driven research initiatives. The incumbent will play a key role in ensuring that initiatives are designed and implemented effectively, including ongoing monitoring and oversight. The Associate is responsible for the development and execution of Initiative work plans and deliverables, working closely with the Project Lead and other team members. The Project Lead is responsible for effective project management of major initiatives, including the execution of work plans and the development of deliverables. Project management, performance measurement and stakeholder engagement are integral components of the Project Lead role.
Communications Strategist (GR10/IS-04) or Team Lead (GR11/IS-05-06), Communications:
As part of the Communications team you will help CIHR communicate about Canada’s thriving health research community and how scientists are tackling today's biggest health challenges, our efforts to address systemic racism in health research funding, the multiple examples of tax-payer-funded health research that is showing enormous promise in the areas of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health, among others, and ways to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples. We are seeking a Communications Strategist who thrives on variety and who enjoys the full range of communications tasks, from developing communications plans to advising senior management on communications approaches and drafting plain-language communications products. Our ideal candidate is also comfortable providing well-reasoned communications advice and recommendations in a fast-paced environment, has strong written and verbal communications skills, and well-developed problem-solving skills. The Team Lead role leads project teams in the development and implementation of strategic communications plans, including products and tactics; identifies potential communications issues and opportunities; and provides expert strategic advice and recommendations to management and other internal stakeholders. The Team Lead supervises day-to-day operations of a team, including assigning and reviewing work, mentoring, etc.
Senior Briefing and Correspondence Analyst (GR10) or Senior Policy Advisor (GR11), Strategic Policy:
The Strategic Policy Branch’s role is to meet CIHR’s statutory obligations on policy and access to information and privacy. A Senior Briefing and Correspondence Analyst is responsible for developing briefing materials, participating in external policy activities, and supporting CIHR’s internal policy function. A Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for identifying areas where federal policy development is required, coordinating responsibility within CIHR and with relevant external stakeholders, namely agencies and federal departments, for specific government policy development in relation to health research. The ideal candidates will maintain an active network within and outside of CIHR and work proactively to help position health research in the federal government’s policy framework.
Advisor (GR10) or Senior Partnership Lead (GR11), Strategic Partnerships and International Relations:
The Strategic Partnerships and International Relations (SPIR) branch is the center of excellence in stakeholder engagement, partnership development and international relations at CIHR. An Advisor or Senior Partnership Lead are responsible for supporting CIHR in achieving its mandate and strategic objectives through the provision of expertise, strategic advice and support towards the development and implementation of domestic and international engagements and partnerships, by contributing to and at times leading projects and activities consisting of external and internal stakeholders.
Peer Reviewer Recruitment Lead (GR10), Learning and Mentoring Lead (GR10) or Performance Management Lead (GR10), College of Reviewers:
The College of Reviewers is a member-focused resource designed to professionalize peer review, enhance review quality, and provide a more stable base of experienced reviewers for all funding competitions.
• As Peer Reviewer Recruitment Lead, you will be responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of peer review recruitment activities. The incumbent is responsible for supervising several staff across activities such as: strategies to maintain and diversify the membership of the College to support CIHR’s funding opportunities, analyzing data to inform strategies and monitor productivity, reviewing and developing peer review policies and practices, and standardizing recruitment procedures, templates, tools, and guidelines within the branch, across CIHR, and other funding organizations, as applicable.
• As a Learning and Mentoring Lead, you will be responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of learning products and tools, and the development and delivery of learning and mentoring programs for peer reviewers. The incumbent is responsible for supervising several staff across activities such as: providing advice and leadership in adult education, assessing and prioritizing future training requirements, development of standard curricula for training and mentoring courses, and collaborating with subject matter experts.
• As a Performance Management Lead, you will be responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of CIHR’s peer review performance management strategies. The incumbent is responsible for supervising several staff across activities such as: CIHR’s Review Quality Assurance program, contributions to applicant complaint investigations and reviewer recognition, and analyzing large datasets on reviewer performance to identify issues, trends, and to make recommendations.
Senior Evaluation Analyst (GR10), Evaluation, Planning and Results:
As part of the Planning, Evaluation and Results branch, a Senior Evaluation Analyst is responsible to conduct evaluation and health research impact assessment studies to ensure that CIHR has appropriate evaluation and impact evidence upon which to make key decisions, account for results to Canadians, and meet or exceed all Federal Government requirements for the evaluation function. The Senior Evaluation Analyst is responsible for leading, designing and implementing evaluation and related research impact assessment projects of the CIHR programs, initiatives and institutes.
Advisor (GR10) or Senior Advisor (GR11), Learning Health Systems:
The Learning Health Systems portfolio includes a variety of teams working on research excellence; research ethics; knowledge mobilization; training and career support; equity strategy; patient-oriented research; health emergencies and pandemic preparedness; and clinical trials. As an Advisor or Senior Advisor in the LHS portfolio, you will: conduct or lead policy analysis and development with an equity lens to support evidence-informed decision-making, including identifying and analyzing emerging issues related to the portfolio’s mandate and CIHR’s Strategic Plan 2021-31; collaborate respectfully with diverse peoples and organizational partners to inform policy development and engender cultural change; develop policy products and briefings that include strategic analysis, advice and recommendations to senior decision-makers within the agency; and lead effective and diverse teams.
Positions to be filled: 10
Your résumé.
EDUCATION:
• Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or an acceptable combination of education, training or experience.
EXPERIENCE: Experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally acquired over the period of three (3) years full-time. However, a shorter duration may be considered based on demonstrated complexity and diversity of work handled, scope of work, or level of direct responsibility for a wide variety of complex files or projects.
All positions:
• Experience in establishing and maintaining networks and working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders;
• Experience providing strategic analysis and advice to senior management*, clients or stakeholders, related to complex** policy, program, economic, health or social issues;
• Experience writing documents (i.e. analytical papers, technical writing, briefings, presentations, reports, communications products) on complex** issues related to policy, program, economic, health or social issues;
• Experience in planning or managing the development and implementation of strategies, projects, plans, or programs.
GR11 level only:
• Experience leading complex** projects independently.
*Senior management is defined as managers with decision-making authority, director level or above.
**Complex is defined as issues with at least two (2) of the following characteristics: multidimensional or horizontal, sensitive or confidential, holding significant risk, affecting many partners or stakeholders, having a major impact on the public service or Canadians, or having a potential for significant media coverage.
Various language requirements
English essential, bilingual imperative or non-imperative (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC)
Information on language requirements
Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.
For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills
KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of the Canadian health research and health research landscape.
COMPETENCIES:
• Adaptability
• Critical Thinking
• Judgement
• Working with others (Collaborating and Relationship Management)
• Initiative
• Planning and organizing
• Communication (Oral and Written)
One or more of the following asset qualifications may be assessed at a later date; you will not be asked to address them in your initial application.
EDUCATION:
• Graduation with a Master’s degree or above.
EXPERIENCE:
• Experience working in a high-demand environment, juggling multiple files and deadlines;
• Experience in managing human resources such as supervising personnel, management of day-to-day activities, training and coaching, performance management and leave approval;
• Experience developing or implementing change management processes that include a variety of internal or external stakeholders;
• Experience collaborating with partners to gain consensus on shared initiatives;
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with federal, provincial, or territorial government partners;
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and implementing stakeholder engagement, partnership development and public consultation strategies;
• Experience providing strategic communications expertise, advice and support within an academic, scientific, government, research or health research environment;
• Experience writing communications products in plain language for the general public and the media such as news releases, backgrounders, speeches, success stories, media lines, Q&As, web and social media content, etc.;
• Experience in planning, coordinating and organizing events (e.g., ministerial event, media briefing, award ceremony, staff townhall, etc);
• Experience in conducting and applying Gender-Based Analysis Plus assessments (or similar sex and gender-based assessments) of policies, programs, services or other initiatives;
• Experience applying Equity, Diversity and Inclusion approaches (including anti-racism or anti-ableism) to policies, programs, services or other initiatives;
• Experience developing policy frameworks or strategies;
• Experience working on science or health-related policy issues;
• Experience in planning, conducting, or reporting on quantitative or qualitative data analyses;
• Experience developing and implementing grant and award programs, in collaboration with various external stakeholders and Government of Canada partners;
• Experience contributing to or implementing performance measurement strategies and evaluation projects;
• Experience planning, designing and conducting program evaluation projects as practiced by the Federal Government or the Canadian Evaluation Society;
• Experience writing program evaluation or research impact assessment reports or technical reports;
• Experience in using project management methodologies and tools to oversee concurrent projects and activities;
• Experience reporting to management using multiple complex datasets (extract, clean, manipulate, analyze) to monitor programs, make recommendations or providing advice (e.g., data quality, trends, key performance indicators);
• Experience working with international research organizations on health or other research and policy issues.
KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis) cultures or Indigenous community organizations;
• Knowledge of Gender-Based Analysis Plus or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives in the Government of Canada and the research ecosystem;
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
• Knowledge of the federal policy environment and associated public policy-making processes;
• Knowledge of communications theory and practice, including policies, principles, and governmental practices related to the communications function;
• Knowledge of program evaluation.
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Willingness and ability to travel may be required.
Reliability status or secret security clearance may be required depending on the position to be staffed.
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Information on employment equity
1) The CIHR is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population it serves. In an effort to improve representation in the executive ranks to reflect Canada’s diversity, preference may be given to candidates who, at the time of application, indicate that they are belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups (self-declaration): Indigenous peoples, Women, Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities.
2) The application method selected for this hiring process will be through online-applications submitted via the GC Jobs site. To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below.
3) We would like to thank all candidates who apply. Only those selected for assessment will be contacted. We will communicate with you regarding this process by email. Applicants should use an email address that accepts messages from unknown senders (some email systems block such messages). If you do not respond to our communications, we will interpret this as your withdrawal from the process.
4) A variety of assessment tools may be used in the assessment of candidates, such as: written test, oral interview, presentation, work samples, performance appraisals, reference checks, Candidate Achievement Record, asset questionnaire, and/or assessment board member personal/direct knowledge of candidates’ qualifications. We are aiming to begin assessments in January 2024.
5) For questions, please contact .
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.