Program Officer, Common Sense Oncology

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Applicant Guidance & Information

At Queen's, we are committed to helping people achieve their best. Whether you are beginning your career at Queen's or seeking your next opportunity, we are here to support you. Visit our Applicant Resources for guidance on applying, showcasing your skills and experience, and preparing for interviews.

Disclaimer: As part of the application process at Queen's University, our recruitment system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, to ask job-related questions and confirm eligibility for hire. All final hiring decisions are made using non-AI related processes.

Job Summary

Common Sense Oncology (CSO) believes that we can do better for people with cancer. Based at the Sinclair Cancer Research Institute at Queen’s University, CSO is a global network of oncologists, researchers, patient advocates, and other cancer care stakeholders who are dedicated to advancing high quality, compassionate, and innovative cancer care that is focused on the outcomes that matter to patients and health systems. CSO works collaboratively with people who have lived experience, as well as organizations and regulators in the cancer field, to ensure that patient needs and outcomes are at the centre of cancer research, cancer care delivery, and cancer systems policy.

Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with CSO members and colleagues based at Queen’s University and around the world, the Program Officer provides strategic and operational support to advance CSO’s health services research, policy analysis, and knowledge mobilization priorities.

The incumbent leads the provision of research and functional support for our international project teams working in the areas of clinical trial design and methods, patient-advocate engagement, health system policy, and oncology education. The incumbent also supports CSO’s knowledge mobilization of academic research to advance our implementation goals with various stakeholders, including people with lived experience of cancer, patient advocates, oncologists, policy makers, health systems, and funders.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research and Program Operations
• Responsible for supporting CSO’s research and policy projects and publications by conducting literature searches, landscape analyses, stakeholder mapping, and preparing research ethics board submissions as well as manuscript writing and editing.
• Manages the planning and execution of CSO events and programs, including both in-person and virtually, including its annual global leadership meeting, educational webinars and journal clubs, and symposia in conjunction with our international hubs and major global oncology meetings.
• Leads the delivery of proactive research support and project management for Common Sense Oncology’s project teams, including but not limited to, meeting coordination, preparation and dissemination of meeting agendas and minutes, tracking action items and working with team members to keep projects and deliverables on track.
• Coordinates with internal and external collaborators, as required.
• Develop, implement, and maintain information management systems to ensure files and records are accurate, current, organized, and accessible to team members.
• Lead the process of identifying funding and grant opportunities, and managing the development and submission of applications, including project management, information gathering, writing, editing, and formatting proposals.
• Manages other priority projects for CSO or the broader division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology as required.

Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation
• Works with the Managing Director and the Communications and Engagement Officer to develop CSO’s knowledge mobilization and stakeholder engagement plan, in support of CSO’s strategic goals
• Supports the development and execution of advocacy and implementation plans to help drive engagement with partners and decision makers in the cancer field to advance adoption of CSO outputs and patient-centred best practices.
• Conducts background research on topics, issues, and organizations of relevance to CSO and develops briefing notes as required support CSO leaders in external outreach and engagement.
• Translates CSO’s research, values, and principles into accessible policy briefs, implementation proposals, and other formats
• Identifies opportunities for CSO-affiliated clinical-researchers, patient advocates, and other leaders to act as thought leaders.
• Proactively keeps abreast of developments in the cancer field of relevance to CSO and identifies potential opportunities for partner engagement to advance the implementation of CSO’s strategic plan.
• Other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Undergraduate degree in health sciences or a related field.
• A graduate degree in public health, public policy, epidemiology, or another relevant field is considered an asset.
• Five years prior experience, including in a research, policy, regulatory, or comparable setting. Familiarity with and experience in the cancer field is an asset.
• Proven skills and capacity to work professionally and proactively with a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders in the cancer field.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Respects diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Well-developed research and analytical skills and ability to collect, process and summarize data.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills to help projects and project team members stay focused and on track.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task while working on multiple projects at any given time.
• Ability to work independently and within a collaborative team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion in all job tasks.
• Ability to establish excellent relationships in a fast-paced and international environment, including interacting with senior global leaders in the oncology field.
• Excellent time management, problem solving and project management skills, with the ability to ensure projects are completed and executed within appropriate timelines.
• The ability to function co-operatively and effectively in a team-oriented environment and to liaise with staff from other Queen’s units and outside organizations.
• Advanced computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, Experience working with databases, survey software, and statistical software packages is an asset.

DECISION MAKING:
• Determine priorities within the constraints of demanding workload. Decide how to best coordinate time and effort between various tasks.
• Resolve administrative problems within guidelines and redirect more complex problems to senior staff.
• Determine appropriate responses to inquiries and decide when new information calls for further action.
• Determine when an issue may be controversial and consult senior staff for guidance.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities.