The Department of Paediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to support the objectives of the Child Health Policy Accelerator ('Accelerator'). As Canada's first hospital-based applied child and youth health and social policy initiative, the mission of the Accelerator is two-fold: (1) to forward specific, focused, evidence-based policy objectives designed to deliver positive change for children and youth in Canada; and (2) to train the next generation of maternal and child health change-makers by facilitating didactic, episodic, and longitudinal policy immersion experiences.
The successful candidate will support the collaborative development and implementation of comprehensive advocacy strategies designed to advance the policy objectives of the Accelerator. This position will have focus on federal health-specific legislative and regulatory files, including'but not limited to'pediatric drug and medical device regulations, clinical trial regulations, and related health policy initiatives. The Senior Policy Advisor will monitor and analyse government activities that may influence the success of the Accelerator's objectives, research and develop policy proposals to advance identified child health priorities, and will liaise with academics, clinicians, and other child health partners both within SickKids and across Canada to ground the Accelerator's work in national and international experience and best practices. The successful candidate will be an advocacy expert with demonstrated experience in public policy, coalition building, and communications, with a passion for amplifying the patient, clinician and researcher voice to create positive change for Canadian children, youth and their families.
The Senior Policy Advisor will work closely with the dynamic Child Health Policy Accelerator team, clinical and research leaders at SickKids and from across Canada, as well as advocacy trainees, and other external coalition organizations. Key partners include: RareKids-CAN Network, IMPaCT Clinical Trials Training Platform, Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network (MICYRN) and the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children. While the ability to perform focused work independently is essential, collaboration is the cornerstone of the Accelerator. Fuelled by the passion, creativity and the expertise of every team member, we seek a candidate who will thrive on the energy generated by sharing ideas, pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. All team members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to both learning and teaching, to expanding purposeful partnerships, and to delivering positive change for children, youth and families.
Here's What You'll Get to Do
Policy Development and Communications
- Leads the development of position papers, policy briefs, government submissions and other correspondence, as required, related to the Accelerator's priorities and strategic interests.
- Monitors the legislative, regulatory and policy activities of both the provincial and federal government as related to the strategic priorities of the Accelerator, and the child and youth health sector more broadly.
- Contributes to the selection of the Accelerator's policy priorities through the review of policy evidence, guidelines, models, agendas, priorities and strategies of government, other organizations and/or other partners at regular intervals.
- Builds and fosters productive relationships with content experts, patient groups, and advocacy leaders to forge consensus, influence positive change and advance the Accelerator's priority policy objectives.
- Supports communications with internal and external partners.
Advocacy, Partnership and Collaboration
- Supports the development of advocacy strategies aligned with each of the Accelerator's evidence-based policy objectives, including engagement with relevant partners, as well as academic, community-based and advocacy organizations.
- Builds and maintains complex interdisciplinary relationships and strategic partnerships with advocacy groups, professional organizations, research collaborators and patient and family groups to support evidence-based policy change.
Curriculum and Training
- Supports meaningful episodic and longitudinal advocacy experiences for learners, at all levels of training, affiliated with the Accelerator.
Here's What You'll Need
- Graduate degree in Political Management, Public Policy, Health Administration, Law, or related field, with a minimum of five years of experience in public policy, public affairs and/or government. A Bachelor's degree with the equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered.
- Experience working with government, either at the Federal or Provincial level, with a proven track record of strategic planning, coalition building, positive influence and/or policy implementation is required. Experience navigating both governmental and non-governmental environments, and influencing health policy outcomes, will be considered an asset.
- Knowledge of the current Canadian child health policy landscape, with an understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes that affect pediatric drugs, medical devices and clinical trials, is highly desirable. Specific knowledge related to Health Canada's legislative and regulatory portfolio, and related advocacy experience, will be seen as an asset.
- Demonstrated project management skills to deliver and evaluate policy programs preferably within government, non-governmental organizations or healthcare institutions.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively.
- Ability to function collaboratively with multiple, diverse partners.
- Ability to function independently with excellent attention to detail.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives in a timely manner and flexibility to adapt to changing workload.
- Ability to travel within Canada (up to 5 trips per year, for a total of 10-14 days per year)
- Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives
- Bilingualism in French and English is not required, but is an asset.
Here's What You'll Love
- This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of offer.
- Advancing focused, evidence-based child and youth health and social policies with direct and meaningful impacts on the lives of children and families across the country.
- Sharing your knowledge and skills with eager learners, at all stages of professional development.
- An academic and learning environment, with awards and bursaries, mentoring programs, and a focus on continuous improvement.
- A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
- A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
- For more on why you'll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site.
Employment Type:
- Temporary full-time, 2-year contract
- 35 hours/week
- Hybrid working arrangement
