NOTE: Applications for this role will be accepted until April 25, 2011.
Echo: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with a mandate to promote health, wellbeing, and equity for women through sex/gender-specific information, approaches, research, education and awareness. At a critical time for our health care system, Echo will improve women’s health and well-being by focusing on women’s unique health needs and issues, developing and supporting innovative programs, educating health professionals, and motivating behaviour change. As the provincial advisor on women’s health to the Government of Ontario, we are working to ensure Ontario is at the forefront of improving women’s health.
Position Overview:
Reporting to the Director, Knowledge Translation, the KT Specialist – Policy and Research (Level Two) will help to build and deliver strategies, plans and projects to develop or utilize research evidence to support change that improves the health of women (particularly in relation to mental health and addictions, a priority area for Echo’s work). This includes providing expert advice in knowledge mobilization strategies, methodologies and tools; researching industry trends and possible policy developments in order to identify implications and recommend approaches or projects which address findings and support the achievement of Echo’s mandate; building and managing relationships with agencies, researchers and other partners to influence policy and advance Echo’s mandate; and contributing to the design of communication and web-based activities to reach diverse audiences in Ontario.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Policy and Research
- Provide subject matter expertise to support the planning and development of Echo’s knowledge mobilization activities and strategies; support the Director of KT to advance these aims by recommending appropriate policies, actions and mechanisms for connecting stakeholders in women’s health initiatives
- Monitor and evaluate emerging issues in the health care field in order to identify and assess opportunities and policy developments which are applicable to Echo’s mandate; recommend projects (i.e. additional research, demonstrations) which address identified gaps between research and practice. Support the development of initiatives including taking a role in scoping and costing of such projects.
- Recommend the most appropriate format for structuring and/or designing projects selected to advance Echo’s mandate; includes an awareness of, and the ability to, differentiate between available resources or tools in order to recommend those which are most effective and relevant to the achievement of project objectives
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with influential and/or senior-level leaders in the health care delivery and research communities in order to facilitate dialogue, promote collaboration and create opportunities for future partnerships; position Echo’s interests to influence provincial policy and program initiatives
- Design and facilitate stakeholder consultation sessions in order to share knowledge and/or seek stakeholder input; summarize, assess and report on session outcomes; recommend approaches to build on session outcomes
- Research best practices and emerging issues in women’s health; translate findings into audience-specific communication materials aimed at enhancing understanding and the use of research evidence in program design and delivery
- Provide input into the development of ongoing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure Echo’s progress against yearly and multi-year priorities; support the evaluation of Echo’s annual progress against priorities, identify priorities which are not being met and recommend strategies to address identified gaps
- Support the work of other KT Specialists and provide coaching and feedback to develop the knowledge, skills and performance of KT team members; provide guidance and support to KT team members based on area of subject matter expertise (e.g. mental health and addiction, quantitative research etc.); collaborate with peers across the organization to support the achievement of Echo’s mandate and vision; assume additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned
Project Management
- Manage assigned projects; proactively anticipate and resolve issues or delays and exercise judgment in bringing sensitive or challenging issues to the Director of KT; provide regular project status updates to the KT Specialist – Project Management and Director of KT
Experience & Qualifications
- University degree (minimum PhD level or equivalent) in health sciences, social sciences, law, public administration or other appropriate field coupled with at least 5years’ of applicable progressive experience
- Advanced understanding of research (especially in relation to understanding research results); advanced knowledge of policy development and knowledge translation methodologies; and advanced ability to write for key audiences
- Significant experience in managing the design, development and implementation of project strategies and activities, preferably within the health and/or non-profit sector; familiarity with program delivery and evaluation methods is considered an asset
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage collaborative relationships with stakeholders and partner organizations; capacity to conduct all interactions with diplomacy and tact
- Ability to embrace change, adapt to new information, and work proactively and positively in a new and evolving organizational context
- Excellent technical skills (Microsoft Office products, knowledge translation tools, internet-based research, social media, etc.)
- Interest in, and sensitivity to, the field of women’s health, including an appreciation for diversity and the issues and challenges of the sector
- Flexibility of work hours to ensure deliverables are met in a fast paced environment of changing/conflicting priorities and tight deadlines. Some travel may be required
- In addition to strong English language communication skills, fluent bilingualism (both written and oral) in French and English is strongly preferred; knowledge of a second language other than French is also an asset
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to send their application to [email protected]. Please quote “Knowledge Translation Specialist Level Two” in the subject line. We thank all candidates however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls, please.
NOTE: Applications for this role will be accepted until April 25, 2011.
Website: www.echo-ontario.ca