Advisory Circle: Terms of Reference for the Selection process of a Scientific Director, Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health
Context
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has established an Advisory Circle to inform the selection process of a new Scientific Director for its Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH), which is dedicated to supporting and building research capacity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples' health.
The Advisory Circle will support CIHR's priority of accelerating the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in health research, while maintaining the trust and confidence of Indigenous communities, in informing the selection process of a new permanent Scientific Director for the IIPH.
Mandate
The Advisory Circle's work will be grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, while respecting the unique identities of rights-holding groups. It will work in collaboration with the Indigenous community, particularly the Indigenous Health Research community.
The Advisory Circle is responsible for providing advice to the President of CIHR on the overall selection process for the Scientific Director of the IIPH, including, but not limited to the following:
- Identifying a foundational selection process for the recruitment of the Scientific Director of the IIPH as well as the second term appointment process;
- The IIPH Scientific Director role description, including position requirements and competencies;
- Communications/engagement regarding the search for a new Scientific Director;
- Evaluating/reviewing prospective candidates and recommending a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed;
- Composing an Interview Board comprised of a subset of Advisory Circle members who will recommend the top candidates to the President;
- Co-developing the structure of interviews, including interview questions; and
- Ensuring that the proper mechanism to Indigenous self-identification and membership/citizenship verification is utilized in the recruitment process.
Authority
As per the CIHR Act, the authority to appoint Scientific Directors rests with the Governing Council. Therefore, the Advisory Circle will report to CIHR's President who then, provides a recommendation to the Governing Council for the final decision.
Membership
The Advisory Circle is comprised of:
- At least 10 members, including two co-chairs drawn from the Circle members.
- One Indigenous Elder.
- Indigenous leaders, researchers, scholars and academics drawn from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups.
- Representatives from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Roles and Responsibilities
Individual Advisory Circle members
Each Advisory Circle member will serve in their individual capacity and will be expected to:
- Attend meetings on a regular basis and prepare in advance of any meeting;
- Contribute to the Advisory Circle's perspective and wisdom by sharing knowledge and experience while considering the knowledge and comments shared by others;
- Review documents secretarially in between meetings; and
- Treat all documents and discussions related to this Advisory Circle with the upmost discretion and appropriate confidentiality.
Advisory Circle Chair(s)
In addition to meeting the above expectations, the co-chair(s)s are responsible for:
- Working with CIHR to develop meeting agendas;
- Chairing the meetings; and
- Reviewing with the other members the record of discussion and action items identified for each meeting.
Conflict of Interest
As members of a CIHR advisory body, all members are required to abide by the CIHR Policy on Conflict of Interest Prevention and Management for Scientific Directors, Members of Governing Council and Advisory Bodies and declare any conflicts of interest to the Chair and CIHR's executive representative with respect to any issues, including the selection of potential Scientific Director candidates for IIPH.
Should there be a member of the Advisory Circle who becomes interested in becoming a Scientific Director, the individual must declare this conflict at the earliest possible moment and recuse themselves from the Advisory Circle.
Secretariat Support
CIHR through the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Government and External Relations, and the Office of the Vice-President of Research Programs (in conjunction with an Indigenous consultant), will provide secretariat support for the Advisory Circle table. The duties provided by the secretariat support are as follows:
- Meeting logistics.
- Development and circulation of meeting materials in advance of meetings.
- Post-meeting, provide a written meeting summary to members.
- Share and follow up on action items and deliverables with their respective organizations and members.
Meetings
It is anticipated that the Advisory Circle will meet virtually once per month. In-person meetings will be scheduled as required. Additional meetings will be called at the discretion of the co-chairs.
CIHR will incur any costs related to meeting facilitation (room rental, AV, teleconference lines, etc.)
Compensation
Service as an Advisory Circle member is voluntary. Members will be reimbursed at the Government of Canada rates for expenses incurred to attend meetings but will not receive honoraria or other financial compensation.
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