The Department of Paediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is seeking an Advocacy Leadto oversee the development and implementation of the objectives of the newly launched Child Health Policy 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.
Reporting to, and working closely with, Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn (Medical Director, Child Health Policy Accelerator), the successful candidate will lead the collaborative development and implementation of comprehensive advocacy strategies designed to advance the priority policy objectives of the Accelerator, monitor and analyze government activities that may influence the success of the Accelerator's objectives, and liaise with government officials, policy makers, academics, clinicians, and other child health partners both within SickKids and across Canada to identify and leverage opportunities to advance the Accelerator's policy priorities through effective advocacy. The successful candidate will also have an opportunity to collaborate with learners, at multiple levels of training, to forward the Accelerator's educational mission.
Working closely with key partners including 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, the successful candidate will be an advocacy expert with demonstrated experience in public policy, government relations, 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.
Here's What You'll Get To Do:
Policy Strategy Development
- In collaboration with the Accelerator team, develops and refines comprehensive advocacy strategies to support the Accelerator's priority policy objectives. Reviews, revises, evaluates, and reports on the progress of the Accelerator and its priority policy objectives to oversight committees, funders, and strategic partners.
- 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.
Government Relations 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.
- Builds and fosters productive relationships with government officials, content experts, patient groups, and advocacy leaders to influence positive change and advance the Accelerator's priority policy objectives.
- Serves as a delegate, liaison, chairperson and/or spokesperson in government meetings, consultations, roundtables and conferences, as required.
- Develops and implements effective systems of communications for all internal and external partners including but not limited to annual updates for the SickKids Department of Paediatrics, SickKids Foundation, 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.
Advocacy, Partnership and Collaboration
- In collaboration with the Accelerator team, implements the comprehensive advocacy strategies aligned with each of the Accelerator's evidence-based policy objectives, including engagement with government officials, relevant provincial and national partners, as well as academic, community-based and advocacy organizations.
- Identifies, 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.
- Supports meaningful episodic and longitudinal advocacy experiences for learners, at all levels of training, affiliated with the Accelerator.
Operational Planning and Management
- Exercises financial stewardship through ability to provide quantitative, qualitative, and predictive analyses that incorporates innovative research and other funding opportunities to support advocacy activities and program expansion.
- Establishes operational processes and structures to support the execution of the Accelerator's priority policy objectives.
- Liaises with funders, oversight groups, and other partners to report on milestones and deliverables.
- Organizes government meetings, educational events, receptions, and lobby days, as required.
Here's What You'll Need:
- Master's degree in Communications, Health Administration, Social Sciences, Public Management, International Relations, Development, Political Science, Law, Public Health, or a related field with a minimum of seven years of experience in an advocacy, public affairs and/or government relations role. 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 working both within government and outside of government, will be seen as an asset.
- Knowledge of the current policy landscape in Ontario and Canada as itrelates to issues of child and family health and well-being. Specific knowledge related to Health Canada's legislative and regulatory portfolio will be seen as an asset.
- Ability to present, communicate and negotiate with various partners.
- Exceptional 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.
- Demonstrated project management skills to deliver and evaluate policy programs preferably within government, non-governmental organization or healthcare institution.
- 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)
- Bilingualism in French and English is an asset.
- Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives
Here's What You'll Love:
- 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.
- A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- The opportunity to make an impact. You'll be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
- Comprehensive health & dental benefits.
Employment Type:
Temporary with modified benefits, 1.00 FTE. 2 year contract with possibility of extension