Assistant Director
CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health

The Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) is one of 13 institutes that make up the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Government of Canada’s health research funding agency. IPPH’s mission aims to improve the health of populations and promote health equity in Canada and globally through research and its application to policies, programs, and practice in public health and other sectors. IPPH is based at the Université de Montréal under the leadership of Dr. Katherine Frohlich, Scientific Director.

Your mandate in a few words

Reporting to the Scientific Director, the Assistant Director is a key member of the executive team of the Institute. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with the Scientific Director and the Associate Director to provide executive leadership, set strategic direction, and manage the Institute’s affairs. The Assistant Director’s main function is to support the Scientific Director in designing research and knowledge mobilization funding opportunities and developing policy aimed at fulfilling the Institute’s mission. The Assistant Director works extensively with Institute staff, CIHR executives and Ottawa-based staff, and Associate/Assistant Directors from other CIHR Institutes and is responsible for the follow-up and advancement of different projects and initiatives.

In addition, the Assistant Director will, along with the Scientific Director and the Associate Director, contribute to building relationships with the IPPH research community and stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to identify research priorities, develop research funding opportunities, build partnerships, and translate research evidence into practice to improve the health of Canadians.

The Assistant Director assumes shared accountability to CIHR with the Scientific Director and the Associate Director for the Institute’s direction and provides scientific advice and support to the team. Together with the Scientific Director and the Associate Director, acts as a public spokesperson for the Institute and liaises with CIHR, other CIHR Institutes, government, industry, and other non-governmental organizations. When the Scientific Director is unavailable due to travel or other situations, the Assistant Director may assume Institute leadership roles in partnership with the Associate Director.

Daily Tasks/Challenges

  • In partnership with the Scientific Director and Associate Director, establish a national agenda for population and public health research in Canada.
  • Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the Institute’s strategic and operational plans in collaboration with the Associate Director and Scientific Director.
  • Direct, lead, or advise on several major Institute initiatives, including the negotiation of research and policy priorities, partnerships, knowledge translation, evaluation, and communications activities in line with the Institute and CIHR strategic plans.
  • Manage the Institute strategic initiative budget, oversee the portfolio of strategic funding programs and provide strategic leadership for IPPH-led and partnered initiatives.
  • Oversee Institute operations, including operational planning and budgeting, to ensure effective use of resources and that all obligations are met.
  • Oversee and/or prepare various internal and external communications and reporting materials, including but not limited to environmental scans, briefing notes, presentations and annual reports.
  • Foster positive relationships with CIHR Ottawa staff (e.g., Institute and Initiative Team), other CIHR Institutes and a wide array of stakeholders and partners.
  • Support the recruitment and engagement with the Institute Advisory Board.
  • Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships with local, provincial, national and international stakeholders - including researchers, decision makers, community members, public health organizations, funders, governments – to determine strategic directions, research priorities and shared initiatives in support of population and public health research and knowledge mobilization.
  • Represent the Institute and population and public health (pillar 4) research at operational and scientific meetings and on internal and external committees. In this capacity, participate in negotiations and decision making related to funding policies, operational practices/policies and scientific agendas.
  • Solves complex issues related to strategic and partnership matters to ensure the smooth functioning and high impact of the Institute.
  • Other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

What you need to succeed in this role

  • University master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and three (3) years' experience in the field of research or university doctorate degree in an appropriate field of specialization
  • Scientific expertise specifically related to Institute priorities of health equity, healthy cities, public health systems, global health and/or climate change. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise related to global health and/or climate change.
  • Extensive knowledge of public and population health research, policy and practice issues and environment in Canadian and global contexts.
  • Extensive experience in negotiating, nurturing and managing relationships with a diverse array of external partners.
  • Knowledge of strategic and operational planning concepts and experience in the development of business plans, operational plans, and other planning documents and of evaluation principles and methodologies.
  • Ability to provide leadership and mentorship to team members.
  • Superior organizational, project management and time management skills to manage and prioritize workload.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, and ideally in French (written and oral), including the ability to exercise discretion and good judgement.
  • Outstanding interpersonal, relationship-building and networking skills with the ability to work with researchers, community members, colleagues from across CIHR and partners.
  • Ability to exercise a high-degree of initiative, work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, solve complex problems, act decisively and remain composed in high-pressure situations.
  • Advanced computer skills and experience using Microsoft 365 applications and other virtual communication platforms, web-based applications and relevant software.

Our employer promise

  • An annual salary rate between $66 296 and $97 359 depending on your experience;
  • Diversified and interesting career prospects as well as a continuing education offering;
  • Organization of work in hybrid mode;
  • Easy access by public transportation;
  • Access to clinics and the host of services offered to the UdeM community;
  • Reduced working hours during the summer period and a host of other benefits to facilitate work/life balance;
  • An exceptional retirement plan.

More information about this position

  • Union of research employees of the University of Montreal - SERUM-pro.
  • Regular full-time position, for 35 hours per week.
  • Category: R3
  • Immediate superior or head of research: Katherine Frohlich
  • Deadline to submit your application: October 30, 2023
  • Applications welcome in English or French
  • Submit your application to l'Université de Montréal (position: 525039)
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