Director of Assessment

The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is the national peer-review organization responsible for setting, maintaining, and overseeing the implementation of high standards for the ethical care and use of animals in science throughout Canada.Created in 1968, the CCAC is an independent, non-profit organization, acting in the interests of the Canadian people. More than 2,000 volunteer experts serving on more than 190 local animal care committees (ACCs) help fulfill CCAC’s mandate and deliver our program in institutions across Canada. Also comprised of volunteer experts, the CCAC’s governing Board of Directors is nominated and elected by CCAC’s 22-member organizations, which reflect a wide range of interests, concerns, and objectives surrounding animal-based science in Canada.The CCAC is financed primarily by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), with additional contributions from annual program participation fees paid by CCAC-certified institutions. Le CCAC est financé principalement par les Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada et le Conseil de recherches en sciences et en génie du Canada, et par des frais annuels de participation au programme payés par les établissements certifiés par le CCAC. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE The primary purpose of this position is to ensure ethical animal use and the highest standards of animal welfare. The Director of Assessment and Certification is responsible for verifying that certified institutional animal care and use programs meet the expectations of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), its peers and the Canadian public, as they relate to animal welfare. These expectations are based on the CCAC’s policies, guidelines, and other recognized standards, as well as good animal practices, professional judgment, and Canadian values. SCOPE Assessment and Certification is a fundamental and highly visible component of an integrated CCAC program that includes Standards, Training, Corporate Affairs, and Public Affairs. Through its operations, Assessment and Certification interacts the most with institutions compared to others at the CCAC, and consequently its activities are highly visible and may present a risk to the CCAC in terms of liability and reputation. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Assessment and Certification plans for, leads, and supervises this sector of the CCAC program and is accountable for its operations and personnel, and also sits on the CCAC Secretariat’s Management Team and works closely with the Chair of the Assessment and Certification Committee. The Director of Assessment and Certification oversees the certification process of institutions, ensures consistency in the process and conducts some assessment visits. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Management of the Assessment and Certification Program (50%) Ensures that a sustainable and relevant system of oversight is in place within all CCAC certified institutions and ensures that they maintain ethical standards of animal care and use. The Director of Assessment and Certification : is the spokesperson for Assessment and Certification and advises the Executive Director on the necessary financial and human resources required to maintain and support sector operations; works closely with Associate Directors of Assessment, the Chair of the CCAC Assessment and Certification Committee, the Executive Director, the CCAC Secretariat, and the CCAC Management Team to monitor stakeholder feedback regarding sector operations, and to manage risks to the reputation of the sector and of the CCAC; interacts with senior management / administrator of certified institutions; contributes to the integrity, design, and measured performance of the CCAC program including contributions to program integration and strategic organizational planning through participation on the management team; oversees and contributes to the drafting and review of CCAC policies impacting animal care and welfare, assessment related information, and other documents necessary for the appropriate certification of participating institutions; collaborates to harmonize practices and procedures with other CCAC sectors; works to enhance the image, performance, and sustainability of the CCAC program in collaboration with other sector directors and the Executive Director; brings credibility, accountability, and professionalism to the CCAC, and a dedication to animal health and welfare. Assessment and Certification of Participating Institutions (25%) The Director of Assessment and Certification, along with the Associate Directors of Assessment Directors ensure that individual certified institutions continue to meet CCAC standards. The Director of Assessment and Certification : Confidential 3 carries out assessment visits to certified institutions that use animals in science to ensure individual certified institutions continue to meet CCAC standards; writes assessment reports and follow-up on institutional responses to any recommendations contained within the reports; develops and implement refinements to assessment and certification practices to reduce the burden on institutions without increasing the risk to animal welfare; works with the CCAC Assessment and Certification Committee to ensure appropriate certification of individual institutions; conducts special visits as required to institutions with programs that struggle to meet CCAC standards; reviews existing and new guidelines; collaborates with Training and Networking as well as Public Affairs and Communications to educate the animal care and use community and the public through responses to questions and the production of information and presentations. Management and Supervision (25%) The Director of Assessment and Certification manages and supervises the work of the Associate Directors of Assessment and gives feedback on their performance and advice through regular performance appraisals. The Director of Assessment and Certification : leads the Assessment and Certification sector in planning for consistent and risk-based oversight of certified institutions and in developing and implementing efficient and effective assessment and certification practices and policies; motivates and guides Associate Directors of Assessment to ensure consistency in practices, procedures, and messaging; ensures, through written guidance and surveys, that panel chair lead assessment visits and that Assessment and Certification Committee members are fully involved in decisions affecting the priorities and operations of the Assessment and Certification sector; screens draft assessment reports to ensure consistency prior to review by assessment panels and the Assessment and Certification Committee, and before formal reports are signed by the Executive Director. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONSThis position requires relevant experience of at least 7 years in a research environment (work on an institutional animal care committee, as a consulting veterinarian, facility veterinarian, or director) and experience in this position of 3 years to achieve competence;Requires knowledge of animal welfare and the ethics of animal use to advocate for animals used in science and maintain credibility in the eyes of CCAC stakeholders, the Canadian public, and the international community;Requires practical knowledge of veterinary medicine, the functioning of animal care committees, and animal-based research in order to relate to the main participants within the CCAC program;Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French, to listen to stakeholder concerns and effectively communicate and implement the CCAC’s mandate;Requires effective management skills, including leadership, planning, organizing and prioritizing sector activities, and managing and leading staff to achieve professional and overall goals.PERSONAL SKILLS Good interpersonal skills, including knowledge of conflict management, to work with stakeholders, CCAC personnel, and volunteers; Problem-solving skills and accountability; Considerable levels of concentration – writing or editing reports or developing policies or other guidance and during meetings. EDUCATIONA minimum of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an AVMA / CVMA accredited veterinary college;Confidential 5

• A certificate in laboratory animal medicine or other higher qualifications would be an asset.