Expert Advisor for OncoSim All-Cancers Working Group

Overview

About the Partnership

As the steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy), the Partnership works with Canada’s cancer community to take action to ensure fewer people get cancer, more people survive cancer and those living with the disease have a better quality of life. Our partner network – cancer agencies, health system leaders and experts, and people affected by cancer – brings a wide variety of expertise to every aspect of our work. After more than 10 years of collaboration, we are accelerating work that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer control system, aligning shared priorities and mobilizing positive change across the cancer continuum. The Partnership’s work is guided by the Strategy, which was refreshed for 2019 to 2029 and will help drive measurable change for all Canadians affected by cancer. After engaging across the country with more than 7,500 people, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, partners, organizations, governments and communities, the refreshed Strategy includes five priorities which will tackle the most pressing challenges in cancer control as well as three distinct First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples-specific priorities reflecting Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.

In addition to delivering on its 2017-22 strategic plan, the Partnership will oversee the implementation of the Strategy’s priorities in collaboration with organizations and individuals on the front lines of cancer care – the provinces and territories; health-care professionals; First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments, and organizations; people living with cancer and those who care for them; and its funder, Health Canada.

The Partnership is a non-profit organization created by the federal government in 2006 to move the Strategy into action and receives ongoing funding from Health Canada to continue leading the Strategy with partners from across Canada. The Partnership’s Board of Directors plays a key role in overseeing the Partnership’s accountability to Canadians.

Learn more about the Partnership and the refreshed Strategy at www.cancerstrategy.ca.

Advisory structures

To achieve the work of the refreshed Strategy, the Partnership engages with experts across the country as part of our advisory structure. These structures foster collaboration and deepen the involvement of a cross-section of cancer and health system experts, clinicians, health care providers, patients, and families across the organization.  Advisory structures include individual contributing Expert Advisors who supply expertise to the Partnership in a specific area across the cancer control continuum in addition to the full spectrum of its work with several committees, networks, and other advisory structures. Together, our work is enriched through the involvement of those who devote their time, knowledge, expertise and points of view to further the Partnership’s mandate.

The Partnership is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of Expert Advisor for the OncoSim All-Cancers Working Group. This leadership position will be a part-time appointment of approximately one-half day per week (.1 FTE), allowing the individual to maintain employment.

The Partnership’s OncoSim microsimulation model is a sophisticated, world-class decision support tool that has informed many cancer control policies across Canada. Using Canadian data and the best available evidence, the tool projects the future costs and benefits of various cancer control interventions and can help cancer agencies and programs by providing relevant information to support policy, practice, and resource allocation decisions at the jurisdictional level. OncoSim is also a key enabler of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, as it has been foundational to the lung cancer screening business cases and used for target setting and guiding priority areas of focus for the elimination of cervical cancer.

Currently OncoSim has four in-depth modules (breast, colorectal, lung, and cervical) which allow detailed analysis to evaluate cancer control strategies. The model also provides high-level projections for 28 other cancer sites which comprise the all-cancers module. This module captures the impact of risk factors on the incidence of cancer using population attributable risk estimates for 27 risk factors. At a high level, users can estimate the health and economic burden of 32 cancers over time, and the future burden of cancer (incidence, deaths, and costs) attributable to different risk factors. It also allows users to assess the impact of cancer prevention interventions on incidence, deaths, and costs of several cancers.

There are currently five OncoSim Working Groups (Lung, Colorectal, Breast, Cervix and All-Cancers) who report to the Director, Performance and work closely with the Manager, Health Policy, Measurement and Evaluation.

General responsibilities for the OncoSim All-Cancers Expert Advisor

Expert advisors are recognized authorities in their respective areas who offer vision and oversight, working with staff and partners to leverage expertise, synthesize efforts and identify synergies within the Partnership’s broad portfolios. As a collective, this group provides advice and counsel across the organization, supporting implementation of strategic initiatives and driving the work forward.  Expert Advisors work with the Partnership by providing their core areas of expertise and advice on certain projects the Partnership is engaged in.

The expert advisor will contribute towards leadership responsibilities to the disease site modeling for the all-cancers module. Additionally, they will be expected to Chair the working group as well as oversee and guide the development and maintenance of the all-cancers module as well. They will be responsible for providing content expert advice to the Director, Performance and work closely with the Manager, Health policy, Measurement and Evaluation. This commitment is based on an expectation of continued progress towards the initiative’s overall project objectives, deliverables, and timelines. As an Expert Advisor, the successful individual will be expected to stay informed of new developments and be connected to national and international leaders to contribute broad new thinking to the Partnership’s work and strategic direction, plus be an external ambassador for the organization.

As Chair, OncoSim all-Cancers Working Group, the Expert Advisor will be responsible for

• Presiding at all meetings of the OncoSim all-cancer working group (approximately up to 2 full-day meetings a year) and teleconferences of the working group when required.
  • Setting agendas and objectives for the meetings, with the Partnership support
  • Leading strategic planning discussions with the working group members and directing the follow-up activities required from the meetings
• Participate in the monthly OncoSim technical working group teleconferences (usually lasting 90 minutes)
• Work with the Partnership’s OncoSim team and model development team at Statistics Canada and provide guidance on approaches to the all-cancers module to ensure the alignment with overall objectives of the initiative
• Work with the OncoSim team to assist with OncoSim analysis. This could include attending relevant meetings, reviewing, and providing feedback on OncoSim analysis plans, reviewing inputs as well as results
• Provide input to the all-cancers module, including policy relevance, clinical content, case costing and economic impacts
• Provide expert opinion to the Partnership on related initiatives, and when requested, to speak on the Partnership’s behalf on relevant areas

Expenses and Travel Requirements: Travel may be required as per project requirements. The Partnership shall reimburse the Contractor for pre-approved travel and expenses according to the Partnership’s Travel Policy

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have a Masters or PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health or equivalent advance degree in science, medicine, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates with an academic appointment and those who have demonstrated extensive knowledge and/or experience working with cancer related data at a public health level as well as shown commitment to learning and education. She/he will have demonstrated leadership capabilities and achievements; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to facilitate dialogue and problem-solving amongst multidisciplinary groups; proven ability to chair decision making committees; excellent oral communication and presentation skills; and highly supportive of the Partnership’s Cancer Control strategy.

Apply now

A completed letter of interest along with a resume should be forwarded by email to talentmanagement@partnershipagainstcancer.ca by Wednesday, February 3, 2021.