Advocacy Lead, CH Policy Accel at The Hospital for Sick Children

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

The Department of Paediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is seeking an Advocacy Lead to support the priorities and 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 Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn (Medical Director, Child Health Policy Accelerator), and working closely with the Policy Lead, Gwendolyn Moncrieff-Gould, 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. Specifically, this role will support legislative and policy advocacy efforts aimed at decreasing the physical and mental health harms associated with large digital platforms (including, but not limited to, social media)

Working closely with key partners across the country, 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. Experience in digital governance, regulation and/or youth mental health will be an asset.

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 internal and external partners.
  
  

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.
• 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.
• 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 Canada as it relates to issues of child and family health and well-being. Specific knowledge related to digital governance 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

• This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of offer.
• A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
• A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
• For more on why you'll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site.
  
  

Employment Type

• Temporary with modified benefits, 2-year contract with possibility of extension
• 1.00 FTE
• 35 hours/week
  
  

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.