Expert Advisors, Cancer Screening – 4 positions available (Breast, Cervical, Colorectal and Lung Cancer Screening)

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, content credibility, 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 individuals contributing in the capacity of 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 currently seeking exceptional individuals to fill four Expert Advisor vacancies to advance the priorities of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy). Specifically, Advisors will provide content-specific expertise and strategic guidance to support actions and priorities to advance lung, breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in Canada.

The Expert Advisor, Cancer Screening will work with Partnership staff and key system stakeholders to align efforts and foster collaboration to inform the development and implementation of Partnership initiatives to drive the Strategy forward with particular focus on Priority #2 to diagnose cancer faster, accurately and at an earlier stage.  These leadership positions will be a part-time appointment of approximately 1-4 days per month for the term of April 2021 to March 2022.

General responsibilities for Cancer Screening Expert Advisors

Expert advisors are recognized leaders 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.

Each of the Expert Advisors, Cancer Screening will be responsible for providing expert advice in their respective area of lung, breast, cervical or colorectal screening to the Director, Screening and Vice President, Cancer Control to advance the refreshed Strategy and assist in identifying synergies across initiatives.

Additionally, each Expert Advisor, Cancer Screening will be expected to Chair the Partnership’s pan-Canadian screening network in the respective screening modality. The pan-Canadian Network’s serve as a platform for advancing screening priorities, supporting knowledge exchange within the screening community and making evidence-based recommendations to the cancer control system. As chair to these networks, Expert Advisors will support its members in advancing priorities and actions towards realizing the Strategy.

Expert Advisors may also contribute or participate on other Partnership screening or other advisory structures. As an Expert Advisor, Cancer Screening, the successful individual will be expected to stay informed and bring forward new developments within the respective screening modality and be connected to national and international leaders to contribute broad new thinking to the Partnership’s work and strategic direction in screening.

From time to time, Expert Advisors will serve as external ambassador for the organization by participating in forums or responding to media requests.

As Chair, Pan-Canadian Lung/Breast/Cervical/Colorectal Screening Network, the Expert Advisor, Cancer Screening will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic guidance to planning discussions with members, stakeholders and the Partnership about key goals and objectives for the network
• Providing content expertise on screening initiatives and evolving evidence and research in cancer screening.
• Actively engaging with the scientific, research and cancer screening community and bring forward learnings to the Partnership, including emerging and leading practices across the cancer continuum
• Representing the network at key internal and external meetings as required, including but not limited to sharing successes with other Partnership advisory groups and acting as spokesperson for media other queries related to cancer screening
• Convening the Network together with the Partnership to advance Network priorities and actions, including completion and evaluation efforts of existing work plans
• Working with Partnership staff to set agendas and objectives for network meetings, with support from Partnership staff (managers, technical staff, coordinator, Expert Lead, etc.)
• Chairing network meetings and webinars
• Reviewing and providing input on knowledge products, resources and the development of surveys, indicators and reports
• Participating in related workshops and/or projects

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should be a credible leader in the field of cancer screening with a depth of experience and expertise in the Canadian cancer screening system and population health field, including clinical expertise, knowledge of research priorities in cancer screening and/or experience with screening program operations. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership capabilities and achievements; a commitment towards improving equitable access to screening services for underserved populations across Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis; excellent interpersonal skills and strong group facilitation skills to foster dialogue, sharing, and problem-solving amongst multidisciplinary and jurisdictional partners and stakeholders; proven ability to chair provincial and/or national forums; excellent oral communication and presentation skills; and demonstrates a commitment to the goals of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. A PhD, MD or relevant experience in leadership and operational roles in organized cancer screening. Bilingual in both English and French is an asset.

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.

Should you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact the Screening team by email at screening@partnershipagainstcancer.ca