SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISOR

Important messages

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking exemplary medical public health experts who want to make an impact by directly influencing policies and programs that empower Canadians to improve their health!

Established in 2004 as the Government of Canada’s focal point for public health leadership, PHAC addresses the full continuum of public health functions to support and safeguard the health and well-being of Canadians. In partnership with provincial and territorial public health authorities, its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision-making. It values scientific excellence and provides national leadership in response to public health threats. As an organization that relies on partnership, PHAC leverages public health expertise domestically and internationally to achieve its objectives and to contribute to global public health priorities.

Reporting to the Vice-President, our Senior Public Health Advisors provide authoritative and expert medical and public health related advice, guidance, and expertise to the VP as well as Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) on border travel health, prevention and control of infectious diseases, global health, and health security. They lead the integration of medical/public health evidence from various professional disciplines into the Agency/Branch’s programs and policies and contribute to public health evidence-informed decision making. They serve as points of contact for CPHO to provide timely senior medical expertise and briefings to the CPHO on broad, agency-wide issues. Finally, they liaise, consult, and collaborate with the community of practice within the Agency as well as with federal/provincial/territorial partners, academia, national and international organizations to promote linkages and unified and cohesive plans.

Our candidates are experienced medical public health experts with a degree from a recognized school of medicine. They bring thorough knowledge and understanding in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, travel health, global health, and/or health security. Their excellent communication skills combined with their outstanding interpersonal skills inspire confidence and interest in medical public health by easily translating complex scientific concepts into accessible language. At times, acting as effective media spokespersons prepared to answer hard questions, diffuse challenging conversations, connect with the audience, build trust and remain calm under intense pressure. They are highly credible and much-respected individuals, recognized within their community of practice for their integrity, emotional intelligence, and political acumen. As champions in medical public health, successful candidates will bring direction and guidance in the provision of expertise, information, and ideas to promote consolidated efforts in areas such as health prevention and control and border travel health.

They have demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, able to lead and motivate others, and create a sense of common purpose and direction. They implement strategies in the interest of the Canadian population and demonstrate value through concrete results in alignment with Government of Canada priorities. Finally, they hold themselves at the highest standards and provide authentic, evidence-based advice in the interest of Canadians.

If you are interested in joining the Federal family and want to make a difference, we encourage you to consider this unique and exciting opportunity!

Duties

LEADERSHIP

• Lead the integration of public health data/expertise from various medical/public health professional disciplines as well as from the related Agency/Branch’s programs and policies, to provide strategic advice and sustainable recommendations to the VP’s Office from an operational perspective

• Assume a leadership role by supporting and contributing to the public health integration community of practice across the Agency, composed of senior medical advisors from all branches

• Chair and participates in agency-level medical advisory committees, providing fulsome and timely senior medical expertise and briefings to the CPHO on broad, agency-wide issues

ADVISORY SERVICES

• Provide medical public health input into priorities, programs, policies, guidelines and related documents. This may include real-time/ 24/7 provision of medical public health advice in emerging and urgent public health issues and events (on rotation) and recommendations of new courses of actions that can significantly impact the resources allocation within the Branch

• Provide medical public health interpretation/translation of documents and literature to inform and contribute to public health evidence-informed decision making

• Contribute and provide input into the development of briefing materials, policy documents, Treasury Board Submissions, Cabinet documents, memoranda, Question Period Notes, discussion documents and media lines, for the VP and the CPHO/Minister

• Develop reports summarizing complex reviews and formulate recommendations and advice with regards to branch priorities and program development and delivery

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Promote a strong international PHAC presence within the international arena, through consultations and provision of expertise and advice to international organizations (i.e., World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, etc.) and is a key contributor and PHAC representative at international health networks, fora, conferences, workshops and symposia

• Consult and collaborate with federal/provincial/territorial partners, academia, professional associations, other government departments, national (e.g., Canadian Medical Association) and international (United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) organizations and associations promoting linkages and unified and cohesive plans, obtaining information on approaches they are putting in place and assessing their relevance within the context in Canada

• Liaising with industry such as airlines, biotechnology manufacturers and other key industries to secure supply, consult on public health matters and provide guidance

Work environment

The Public Health Agency of Canada offers a work environment that allows you to leverage your academic, scientific and public health knowledge. It aims to be a world-class science and research organization that provides a broad range of integrated science and research services to all of PHAC and its partners that support public health action to promote and protect the health of Canadians. You will find an exceptional workplace with ample opportunities for professional development, access to continued learning throughout your career, and a flexible work schedule. Rest assured, your desire to publish may be supported.

In addition to an appealing salary, you will have access to our Family and Employee Assistance Program, peace of mind through a defined benefit pension plan, and sought-after dental and health care benefits for you and your family that extend into your retirement.

Other job benefits include:
• Four weeks of annual leave
• Up to 15 annual paid sick days
• Maternity and parental leave with top-up allowance equal to 93% of salary for 52 weeks
• Option to continue to practice medicine on a part-time basis
• Work-life balance

Intent of the process

PHAC is seeking to staff two (2) immediate positions through this process. A pool of qualified Senior Public Health Advisors may be created to fill similar positions across the Agency.

We want to hear from you!

Here’s an overview of how the process will roll out.

In your application, you will be asked to submit a resumé and to let us know if you have a degree from a recognized school of medicine AND are eligible to obtain an independent and unrestricted licence to practise medicine in a province or territory of Canada as determined by a provincial or territorial College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The information provided in your application will then be reviewed, and confirmed, by a Human Resources (HR) Specialist.

From there, you will receive an email asking for:

• A cover letter: Tell us why you are interested in this opportunity, what makes you the ideal candidate, and how you have the skills and knowledge to be successful in this role. Specifically, describe your:
o 5-7 years of experience in a related health or public health field such as infectious diseases, public health, medicine,
preventive medicine, or another related area; and

o 5-7 years of experience within the last 5-10 years in collaborating and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of
stakeholders such as government, academia, national and international organizations, or professional associations.

• Proof of Education: If your degree was conferred outside of Canada, information on degree equivalency can be found here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/degree-equivalency.html

• Proof of independent and unrestricted licence: Not required, only if you have one.

From here, a Human Resources specialist will contact you to discuss the following next steps and answer any questions you may have.

• A written exam: A written exam may be sent to you via email to complete within an allotted timeframe

• Asset questionnaire: A brief questionnaire may be sent to you via email to complete within an allotted timeframe. The purpose of the questionnaire is to address the nice-to-have asset experience listed on the job posting

• Video Interview/Interview: Through the use of virtual tools, you may be required to meet with the members of the selection committee. This provides an opportunity for the Selection Committee to get to know you better, as well as an opportunity for you to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the positions, the opportunity and the teams!

• References: Please be prepared to provide contact information, including email addresses, for references. This will require, at minimum, recent direct supervisors and colleagues with whom we can speak.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS - These are your must-haves

EDUCATION:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized school of medicine

Degree equivalency

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION:
Eligibility to obtain an independent & unrestricted licence to practise medicine in a province or territory of Canada as determined by a provincial or territorial College of Physicians and Surgeons.

EXPERIENCE:
Significant* experience in a related health or public health field, such as infectious diseases, public health, medicine, preventive medicine, etc.

Significant* and recent** experience in collaborating and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including all levels of government, academia, national and international organizations, and professional associations.

*Significant is defined as the scope, depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of various, complex related activities which would have been acquired over five (5) to seven (7) years

**Recent is defined as having gained the five (5) to seven (7) years experience within the last five (5) to ten (10) years

Candidates will be assessed against the candidate profile outlined in the section “Important Message”. Only the candidates who demonstrate the most significant and pertinent experiences, skills and knowledge will be retained and considered.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS - These are your nice-to-haves

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in public health outbreak emergency preparedness and response
• Experience in infectious diseases prevention and control
• Experience in health security, global health, travel health and/or management
• Experience in public health surveillance, epidemiology, and risk assessments
• Experience in the development and implementation of public health policies and programs
• Experience as media representative/spokesperson

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC – You are already proficient in both Official Languages (English and French)

Bilingual Non-Imperative CBC/CBC – You agree to become bilingual in both Official Languages through language training within an agreed-upon timeline, with funding provided

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES:
• Ability to create vision and implement strategies in the interest of the Canadian population
• Ability to inspire, motivate and mobilize people
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to create an environment that supports bold thinking, experimentation and intelligent risk taking
• Ability to mobilize and manage resources to deliver on the priorities of the Government, improve outcomes and add value
• Ability to provide critical analysis of scientific data and scientific advice to senior Directorate and Departmental management as well as external stakeholders in an effective manner
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Ability to communicate effectively orally

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES:
• Exemplary ethical practices, professionalism, and personal integrity
• Self-awareness
• Sound judgment

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Willingness and ability to travel on short notice
Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act

Other information

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

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

The Public Health Agency of Canada is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and
evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK!

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.