Ville : Hamilton

Catégorie : Other

Industrie : Education

Employeur : McMaster University

Hamilton, ON
 
Job Title: Assistant Scientific Director ‐ CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
 
Unit Description
 
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) supports research and helps to build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system. Through the III’s programs, researchers address a wide range of health concerns related to infection and immunity including disease mechanisms, disease prevention and treatment, and health promotion through public policy.
 
Job Summary
 
The Assistant Scientific Director (ASD), as a key member of the executive team of the Institute, will work collaboratively with the Scientific Director, the Assistant Director Strategic Operations, the Federal Health Ministry, CIHR executives, Ottawa‐based staff at CIHR, Assistant Directors from other CIHR institutes, and Institute committees to provide executive leadership, set strategic direction, and manage the Institute’s affairs. The ASD main function is to conduct and supervise the Institute’s activities for understanding the landscape of research, gaps, strengths and weaknesses in Canadian infection and immunity research, in addition to provide support to the Scientific Director for designing research and knowledge translation funding opportunities and develop policy aimed at fulfilling the Institute’s mission to provide national and international leadership and promote infection and immunity research. In addition, the Assistant Scientific Director will, along with the Scientific Director and the Assistant Director Strategic Operations, contribute to building relationships with the infection and immunity research community and stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to identify research priorities, develop research funding opportunities, build partnerships and translate research evidence into practice to improve the health of Canadians.
 
Accountabilities
 
• Direct, lead and advise on several major Institute initiatives, including the negotiation of research and policy priorities, partnerships, knowledge translation, evaluation, ethics, and communications activities in line with the Institute’s strategic plan, CIHR’s priorities, and Government of Canada priorities. This would include leveraging funding awarded through the Institute by collaborating with national and multinational research teams.• Accountable for finding and persuading partners and collaborators, and negotiating the terms of the collaboration including priorities, funding, and agreements.• Accountable for liaising with CIHR and CIHR Institutes and overseeing accurate and timely response to CIHR and Government of Canada request.• Partner with federal and provincial governments to provide vision and determine priorities for the infection and immunity research investments.• Oversee, lead, and promote effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in Canada and internationally in line with the Institute’s strategic plan and initiatives.• Supervise and provide scientific guidance to several professional and consultants responsible for delivering the Institute’s related scientific activities.• Oversee the development and conceptualization of the institutes’ initiatives and capacity building activities.• Frequently travel to national and international overnight destinations for meetings, conferences, seminars etc. to understand the national and international research landscape and identify research gaps in the area of Infection and Immunity.• Accountable for the implementation of CIHR and Institute strategic vision as it relates to the scientific directions.• Develop, implement, and support reporting on and evaluation strategies to measure and evaluate outcomes of the Institute’s initiatives.• Provide leadership to complex projects that involve multiple stakeholders and monitor research outcomes.• Coordinate the formal evaluation of large funding programs with international experts.• Provide and prepare various internal and external communications materials such as briefing documents, presentations and information requests for the Scientific Director, government officials, CIHR executive management, and other CIHR institutes.• Write and edit a wide variety of materials including complex and confidential correspondence; administrative, medical and technical correspondence.• Identify themes, develop and organize specific stakeholder workshops/conferences across the country, which align with current and future initiatives.• Advance III’s national and international position as a cutting‐edge leader in the field of infection and immunity.• In collaboration with the Scientific Director, reviewing, prioritizing and recommending research areas for investments and design of the competitions (level of investment, model for funding, type of grants, etc.).• Formally represent the Institute at scientific meetings, national symposia, workshops, conference, and on internal and external (nationally and internationally) committees involving researchers, partners and other stakeholders, on behalf of the Scientific Director or at the request of senior officials and stakeholders.• Accountable to and represent Government of Canada through all written and verbal communications.• Overall management of all III confidential project files.• Supervise Employee performance management• Make scholarly contributions by writing and contributing to papers, in collaboration with AD Strategic/ Operation and Scientific Director.• Advocate for the Institute across a variety of research areas and initiatives, and develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess the effectiveness of III initiatives. Make strategic recommendations based on ongoing tracking and analysis.• Directly responsible for the HR planning, development and administration through direct supervision of staff and provision of guidance to others in the reporting area.• Manage and advise on work procedures, establishing work priorities and schedules by allocating staff to meet both long-term and short-term work requirements.• Support the ADSO on overseeing strategic and operational planning activities (including the development of the Institute’s annual budget), and overseeing analytical and evaluation projects in collaboration with other Institutes and CIHR staff and consultants.• In collaboration and discussion with the ADSO, strategically advise on and provide solutions to the Scientific Director on Institute’s human resources, financial and partnership matters to ensure the smooth functioning of the Institute.• Support the ADSO in strategically advising on fiscal management including operational budget development and expenditures for the Institute, over $1 million annually (First term 4 years, potential extension for additional 4 years, for a total of 8 years).• Administer budgets for the Institute according to approved plans and policies and monitor cash flows and expenditures.• Provide support to the ADSO in preparing and submit annual budgets, annual financial statements and annual strategic business plan and progress reports.• Collaborate with the ADSO to develop and implement Institute policies and procedures.• Support the ADSO in developing, implementing and evaluating external and internal communications and public relations plans.• Monitor research related activities supported through the Institute funds to ensure all obligations are met• Manage staff positions, in alignment with policies and regulations for staff discipline and grievance procedures and ensures compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures.• Recruit and select the best possible candidates for staff positions in accordance with University policies and procedures and ensures contracts comply with Employment Standards Act.• Manage retention, team building, performance management, succession and training plans for staff to ensure the efficient and effective operations of the Institute.
 
Qualifications
 
Education: PhD in Infection and Immunity or related area(s)
 
Experience:▪ Minimum of 8 years’ experience in a senior leadership and/or project management role in an academic research intensive, policy or Government (Federal or Provincial) agency environment.▪ Post-doctoral experience in related field.▪ Project management experience required.
 
Knowledge/Skills:
 
▪ Extensive knowledge of infection and immunity, and policy and practice issues in Canadian and global context.▪ Extensive knowledge of the Federal Government Health Portfolio landscape▪ Extensive experience in negotiating and nurturing relationships with a diverse array of external partners.▪ Substantial knowledge of the academic environment and the research management principles, practices and policies.▪ Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with researchers, administrators, trainees and staff for other Institutes and partners.▪ Knowledge of strategic and operational planning concepts and experience in the development of business plans, operational plans and other planning documents.▪ Knowledge of evaluation principles and methodologies.▪ Advanced skills and knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.▪ Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, judgement and leadership.▪ Excellent project and time management, attention to detail, rigor, problem‐solving, risk assessment, public issues management and conflict resolution skills.▪ A high level of proficiency in English and French oral and written communication.▪ Demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a fast‐paced environment, balancing competing deadlines and priorities;▪ Thorough knowledge of CIHR and McMaster University policies and procedures (in particular to Research and Finance administration) would be an asset.
 
Leadership Capabilities
 
At McMaster we believe in the ongoing cultivation of human potential, leveraging the diverse talents of our employees and recognizing that everyone has the opportunity to be a leader in their own role. McMaster’s core leadership capabilities are designed to nurture employee engagement through best people practices. All leaders will demonstrate these leadership capabilities: Takes a Strategic Approach, Communicates and Collaborates, Drives Results, Champions Change and Innovation, Develops People, Invests in Relationships.