Lead, Population and Public Health Initiatives and Innovation, Harm Reduction and Substance Use Policy

BC Centre for Disease Control

Vancouver, BC

This role with BCCDC Harm Reduction and Substance Use Services works closely with people with lived and living experience as peer experts and advisors. Experience with peer inclusion and engagement, anti-racism, Indigenous cultural safety and cultural humility is preferred.

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Project Manager 2 or designate, the Lead, Harm Reduction and Substance Use Policy is responsible for leading, monitoring, and evaluating complex projects, and initiatives in a population and public health portfolio/content area to develop and advance policy initiatives. The Lead carries out the position mandate through inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration at the program, regional, and provincial levels and leads the strategic planning process. The Lead effectively manages and evaluates province-wide initiatives by applying project management processes, change processes, facilitation methods and consultative advice on their portfolio/content area of population and public health evidence and emerging issues. This role provides specialist, consultative guidance with regards to evaluation and innovation principles. The role leads and coordinates provincial committees for collective action, and fosters key partnerships with Regional Health Authorities, First Nations Health Authority, BC Ministries, and other non-governmental organizations to support policy analysis and complete strategic objectives and projects. The Lead applies knowledge of local and provincial policies and trends that affect population health, and ensures appropriate links to national work where appropriate.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategic planning for initiatives and innovative, complex projects in population and public health portfolio/content areas. Establishes collaborative mechanisms for project for planning, implementation and evaluation to influence strategic directions and policy discussion.
• Provide consultative guidance on the development, design and implementation of practical evaluation models that integrate monitoring, self-assessment, planning, and evaluation of program or services, including process and outcome measures. Develops specific evaluation criteria, performance measures, and definitions, and generates evidence to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis and to generate recommendations.
• Develop processes, tools and tracking mechanisms based on review of output of data from services to monitor the impact of initiatives, innovation and key indicators. Monitors outcome and provides input on changes.
• Lead and manages complex projects and initiatives including synthesizing information and using data for business case proposals, managing timelines, deliverables, and provides input into budget for project elements. Initiates and/or participates in community development programs and provides support for the development of provincial population health initiatives in line with service line priorities.
• Promote evidence-informed practice and shares knowledge about current research and literature while advancing innovation in population and public health. Scans the environment and the literature to identify emerging trends, synthesizes information received and supports knowledge translation and exchange through interdisciplinary and local and provincial partnerships.
• Synthesize, analyzes and disseminates information on research, emerging and evidence-informed, successful initiatives and policy reports. Supports analysis and engagement to determine strengths and gaps in portfolio area.
• Ensure projects and policies have a quality - and equity-lens applied, and are inclusive of Indigenous perspectives and incorporates anti-racist principles.
• Work in collaboration with ministries, BC Regional Health Authorities, First Nations Health Authority and other key stakeholders to identify common issues and needs, promote evidence based practice to support effective planning, implementation and evaluation of provincial population health programs and advancing innovation and program development. Leads and supports provincial committees, as appropriate.
• Prepare accountability reports and documents for senior level decision makers, including summaries of evidence, projects and strategic priorities.  

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Public Health or Social Sciences, Public Policy/Administration or related field with expertise in Harm Reduction and Substance Use. Courses in policy, planning, or program development an asset, and a minimum of five (5) years recent related experience with preference given for experience in healthcare and/or at content leadership level.
• Strong understanding of, and experience working on, topics of health equity, the social determinants and Indigenous self-determination and reconciliation.
• Demonstrated expertise in communication, diplomacy, leadership, and relationship-building skills. Ability to create effective partnerships with internal, external and diverse audiences, and partners.
• Ability to manage knowledge synthesis, translation, and exchange is essential.
• Ability to organize resources and establish priorities. Knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques, and tools.
• Related experience in leading population and public health projects and demonstrated project management experience with multi-faceted projects and timelines is required.
• Ability to provide accurate and detailed attention to projects with multiple deadline pressures.
• Ability to facilitate, support and promote evidence-informed practice.
• Ability to lead and facilitate committees, working groups and teams.
• Knowledge of interventions driven by People with Lived or Living Experience.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $80,935-$116,344/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 655 W. 12th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4R4
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: 0800-1600/0830-1630/0900-1700
Requisition # 145527E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

Program Introductions

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is dedicated to preventing and controlling communicable diseases and promoting environmental health for the province of BC.

This position is part of PHSA Talent on Demand – an in-house recruitment service providing talent to PHSA and other health authorities. We manage a robust talent pool of service-minded professionals who are available to start work immediately. Talent on Demand creates a gateway for those who wish to achieve their career goals. Successful candidates will gain significant health care experience and can transition into long-term, permanent roles within PHSA. For more information, visit talentondemand@phsa.ca

What we do

BCCDC is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCCDC are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca    

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of May 24, 2023. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.