Executive Leaders in Infectious Diseases and/or Immunization

Important messages

Are you a seasoned executive leader in infectious diseases or immunization looking for a new and exciting challenge? The Public Health Agency of Canada is looking for senior executive leaders in the field of infectious diseases, microbiology, laboratory science and/or and immunization to lead on public health policies, programs and strategies at the federal level.

As senior leaders, this represents an opportunity to lead the development and implementation of policies, programs and strategies that empower Canadians to improve their health. Your expertise, knowledge and experience will translate into concrete action plans while you engage with all levels of government (federal/provincial/territorial), as well as industry and academia, to leverage public health expertise domestically and internationally.

The ideal candidates hold a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization related to the position (Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Public Health, Medicine and preventative medicine, etc.) and/or bring extensive experience in infectious diseases. Additionally, experience in managing financial and human resources matters with a track-record of progressive experience in management roles within science-based or public health environments is key to success. They also have a proven ability to forge strong working relationships in the advancement of infectious disease prevention programs through engagement with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders on both a strategic and issue-specific basis, including national public health agencies, international bodies, research institutions, health professional associations, the private sector, and/or other sectors of society.

The successful candidates are widely recognized as strategic thinkers who can identify, seize and translate opportunities into creative solutions. They have a reputation for attracting, retaining and inspiring the best talent, and they believe in cultivating strong, cohesive, and supportive teams that effectively deliver life-changing strategies and programs. As values-driven and passionate leaders, they possess a high level of integrity, diplomacy, sensitivity, and judgment.

Duties

Director General, Centre for Immunization:
Reporting to the Vice-President, Vaccine Rollout Task Force, this position provides leadership to the Centre responsible for leading national immunization programs and strategies, in close collaboration with provinces, territories and other partners. This position is responsible for overseeing the operations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the national body that makes recommendations for the use of vaccines currently or newly approved for use in humans in Canada, including the identification of groups at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases for whom vaccination should be targeted. This position is also responsible for the development of advice on vaccine development and procurement priorities, including strategies for ensuring pandemic preparedness. This position leads the development of strategies and partnerships to encourage vaccine uptake and promote vaccine confidence. The Vaccine Injury Support Program is also within the purview of the DG, Centre for Immunization.

Director General, Centre for Foodborne Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases:
Reporting to the Vice-President, Infectious Disease Programs, this position provides leadership to the Centre responsible for assessing the risks and reducing the impacts of infectious diseases in Canada and internationally that can be spread to humans through contaminated food or water, or through contact with infected animals or the environment. This includes managing Canada’s response to enteric disease outbreaks and the analysis of known or newly emerging enteric (affecting the digestive system), zoonotic (spread through contact with animals), and human prion diseases (e.g. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease), as well as antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria, in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Director General, Medical and Scientific Affairs:
Located at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), the country’s only containment level 4 microbiology laboratory, this position is responsible for providing the leading voice for clinical and laboratory medicine within the NML, the focal point for science policy, networking and research goals, and medical/scientific leadership. Reporting to the Vice-President, it performs the role of medical leader of the NML by providing a medical voice, advice and guidance to the VP and internal and external partners (provincial and territorial counterparts and international peers), as well as a clinical lens to NML program, policy and priority development. It also provides clinical leadership for the medical countermeasures research agenda, including the provision of oversight for the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and their evaluation, testing (clinical trials) and surveillance in alignment with federal public health and NML priorities.

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 that support public health action to promote and protect the health of Canadians. You will find an exceptional workplace with wide-ranging opportunities for professional development and access to continuous learning throughout your career. As a senior member of the Agency's Executive cadre, you will also be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus.

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.

Intent of the process

The Public Health Agency of Canada is looking to staff three (3) immediate Director General positions as outlined in the Duties.

A pool of qualified candidates may also be used to staff similar executive positions within the Public Health Agency of Canada across Canada.

Should this position be staffed through an Interchange Agreement, the agreement would be based on the current salary of the participant in their home organization. For more information on Interchange Canada, please visit the website: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/professional-development/interchange-canada.html

Relocation Provisions may be offered, if required, to the successful candidate based on the position work location. For more information, please consult our Directive on Relocation Provisions: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/travel-relocation/executive-group-governor-in-council-appointees-relocation-provisions.html

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "(Maximum of 5,000 words): You must clearly demonstrate, in your covering letter, how you meet the essential education and experience qualifications as well as the asset qualifications listed below. You should use the experience, education and asset factors as a header and then write concrete examples (2 to 3 paragraphs) demonstrating how you meet each one. Failure to provide sufficient information in the covering letter may result in the candidate being screened out. Additionally, please tell us why you are interested in this opportunity; why you are the best person; and highlight the skills, knowledge and experiences you would bring."

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

EDUCATION:

To be considered for EX level, you must at minimum meet the following requirement:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization related to the position.

OR

To be considered for MD-MOF-04 level, you must at minimum meet the following requirement:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized school of medicine.

Occupational Certification: Eligibility for a license to practice medicine in a province or territory of Canada.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Significant* experience in providing strategic and tactical advice and recommendations to senior management or senior officials on complex** health or public health issues.

Significant* experience in leading health-related programs and/or the development of health-related policies and planning frameworks, and strategic policy analysis.

Significant* experience in collaborating and establishing networks, including building consensus, with multiple stakeholders, such as other government departments, central agencies, other levels of government, international organizations, boards of health and industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Demonstrated leadership experience leading horizontal initiatives and cross-functional teams.

Experience in managing human and financial resources.

*Significant experience is defined as the scope, depth and breadth of experience normally acquired at the executive or senior leadership level over a period of at least 3 years.

** Complex issues have at least two (2) of the following characteristics: multidimensional, sensitive or confidential, impact several partners or stakeholders, have a major impact on the public service or mandate of the Government of Canada, or could yield potential for significant media coverage.

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

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed. In this instance, any of the asset experience qualifications may be deemed essential requirements.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Post-doctorate from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in a field related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Experience in managing and directing the analysis and the development of policies, programs, strategies or frameworks aimed at preventing enteric, zoonotic or human prion infectious diseases.

Experience in managing and directing immunization programs, policies or strategies, and/or contributing in international fora to advance domestic and global immunization objectives.

Experience with communicable disease, surveillance, outbreak response, planning and/or evaluation.

Experience managing laboratory science policy and/or research.

Experience in managing a large multi-disciplined scientific, medical or health related organization.

Experience in managing and directing Canadian pandemic preparedness planning.

Experience with field epidemiology.

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of the scientific interactions between stakeholders in public health at the federal, provincial, regional and/or international levels.

Understanding the links between human, animal and ecosystem health (One Health).

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative CBC
Bilingual Non-Imperative CBC*

*Bilingual in both official languages (English/French) is essential, however this position can be staffed by an individual who agrees to become bilingual within a defined period of time.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of current and emerging public health issues, trends and priorities in Canada and around the World.

Understanding of the epidemiology and/or microbiology of infectious diseases, prevention and control.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Ability to create a vision and implement strategies in the interest of the Canadian population.

Ability to inspire, motivate and mobilize people.

Exemplary ethical practices, professionalism and personal integrity.

Ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to create an environment that supports bold thinking, experimentation and responsible risk
taking.

Demonstrated judgement, resilience, composure and a positive outlook in an environment of uncertainty and ambiguity.

Ability to mobilize and manage resources to deliver on the priorities of the Government, improve outcomes and add value.

Engages in self-reflection, acts upon insights and demonstrates self-awareness and humility.

For information about the Public Service Key Leadership Competencies, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/professional-development/key-leadership-competency-profile/examples-effective-ineffective-behaviours.html

ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate effective orally.

Ability to communicative effective in writing.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Agreement to being deployed – Applies to EX-03 group and level only:
Executive (EX) Group employees are subject to the “Directive on the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executives”, which includes Agreement to being deployed as a condition of employment.

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

While we appreciate all the candidates’ interest, only those being considered in the process will be contacted. Should your application be retained, you will be contacted for further assessment. The qualifications you will be assessed against will be communicated to you in advance.

• Asset qualifications may be invoked at any point in the process.
• A random and/or top down selection will be used in the process in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.
• Any assessment tools that are deemed appropriate to determine whether the individual meets the essential and other qualifications may be used in this process.
• References from current or recent supervisors will be requested.

Proof of citizenship will be requested if you are considered for the position.

Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information: https://www.cicic.ca/

We are dedicated to an inclusive selection process and work environment. If you require an accommodation, please advise the HR Representative when you are invited to meet with us regarding this employment opportunity. For more information on accomodation, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/how-to-request-assessment-accommodation.html

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.