Reporting to the Senior Director of Health in Emergencies (HiE), the Senior Manager-Health Research and Development will be the technical lead for the Health Research to inform the operational direction and health Programming agenda for CRCS supported programs implemented both in Canada and Internationally. The position will require the incumbent to be engaged in health programs supported by CRC in provision of technical support, proposal writing, documentation, support to health and safety and implementation research around practical questions faced by program implementers. In this capacity, the Senior Advisor is responsible for leading and managing the health research team and providing technical support to the program teams with best practices and in anticipating eminent health concerns as well as actions the CRC could take to limit the consequence of health crises.
The Senior advisor will ensure that the health research agenda is in line with the organization’s strategic and operational priorities and maintain high standard of quality and scientific rigour in all analysis including regular scan of the health sector, projecting potential health concerns that have humanitarian implications. The Sr. Manager contributes to the development of various research and knowledge generation projects, knowledge sharing and supports planning, monitoring, and reporting of research related project activities and where possible support training by using the research findings from the programs. In addition, this position will support Senior Director, HiE to convene and work closely with CRC’s academic partners and other health professionals and experts in related fields through working groups and task forces when required.
Who you are:
Demonstrated expertise in research related software and tools (STATA, R, SAS, NVivo, Tableau OR Power BI).
Advanced computer skills (Microsoft tools, SharePoint, survey creation applications, etc.).
Demonstrated expertise in health research design and methodology.
Demonstrated expertise in health policy related issues.
Demonstrated expertise and understanding of health research ethics related issues.
Knowledge and understanding of results-based management in health in emergencies programs.
Knowledge of health in emergencies – Epidemic / Pandemic, Public health in Emergencies, emergency medical team (EMT), field hospitals, mobile clinics and health systems in fragile contexts.
Excellent program and project management skills with demonstrated experience in stakeholder management.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail.
Self-directed and able to work in an environment with ambiguity as well as an ability to work with tight deadlines.
Resilience and adaptability to changing circumstances and an evolving environment.
Proven ability to be a supportive and productive team member.
Strong written and oral skills in English. French is a strong advantage. Other languages like, Spanish or Arabic is an asset.
Commitment to the Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
You will enjoy:
Culture: an organization that is guided by our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality
Opportunity: to work with the best and brightest in the non-profit field, in an environment that promotes continuous learning, creativity and collaboration
Meaningful Work: you will be supporting emergencies and save lives
As a Senior Manager-Health Research and Development you will:
Manage the Health Research, Evidence and Science team in its support to CRC health programming and operations
Lead the creation of a strong health research team within Health in Emergency (HiE) team.
Lead the health research and policy related activities within the HiE team.
Develop the operational plan and budget for HiE research agenda in consultation with program teams.
Work with program and operation team in identifying key programmatic / operational issues and to ensure that the research is focussed on the practical programmatic issues where the finding can support program teams in evidence -based implementation.
Lead the development of narrative, financial and progress reports for any research conducted.
Lead the coordination of research and health policy related activities with the teams within the Health in Emergencies unit including Health programming support (Global and Domestic), Epidemic and Pandemic support, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support and Provincial Health teams support, Indigenous populations health program support.
Lead the coordination with other units – Quality & Standards, Quality Assurance Learning and Innovation (QALI), Information Management (IM), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Emergency Management Canada and International (EMCI) , International Partnerships, International Cooperation and Programs (IPC), Business Development, Travel Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Legal and Risk, Communications and Finance to support the research, evidence generation and profiling activities of the team.
Provides strong leadership, expertise and innovation in human resource planning in the management of the direct reports.
Manages research team to deliver on objectives and support continuous improvement of the functions including coordination of team roles, objective setting, performance assessments, coaching, and ensures resources, processes and tools support effectiveness and accountability. Escalates management issues as appropriate.
Plans for personnel changes and ensures that knowledge is transferred during the transition period.
Ensures ongoing skills development for team members. Creates and maintains an environment of effective teamwork.
Participate in regular HiE meetings and provide forecast on the anticipated health sector issues.
Manage health research activities, generating evidence summaries, synthesis, and knowledge generation in support of the HiE programs and operations.
Support program implementers and operation teams in using program / operation data, generating evidence summaries, and preparing presentation by analysing available program / operation data as needed.
Lead regular scan of health sector, help prepare forecast of anticipated health issues that may have humanitarian implications and recommend actions for the CRC to address or limit the consequences of health crises.
Develop and implement support mechanisms for real time evidence-based technical support to the programs.
Provide subject matter expertise in Health Research with expert knowledge of Epidemic/Pandemic and Public Health in Emergencies as per CRC’s strategic directions.
Support organizational health related knowledge needs by reviewing and analysing scientific knowledge and translate such knowledge for non-health related Managers within CRC or Red Cross/Red Crescent National societies with whom CRC is implementing programs.
Develop/ adjust or refine relevant research processes (including but not limited to legal and ethics related issues) enhancing research and evidence generation environment within the organization.
Explore formation of CRC Ethics Review Board (ERB) if needed or facilitate a working relationship with other ERBs (e.g. ERB of ICRC, American Red Cross, etc.
Work in collaboration with Data Management team in organizing the Health in emergencies data repository including updating existing database, supporting creation of existing database as required.
Ensure integration of Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) into research tools, implementation and learning.
Liaise and collaborate with relevant IFRC, ICRC, and National Society technical counterparts.
Provide technical support to Health and Safety team of CRC as well as other Health programs supported by CRC:
Prepare evidence summary for CRC’s Health and Safety team ensuring that safety protocols are evidence-based.
Work closely with CRC health incidence review team ensuring that each reported health incidents are advised based on scientific evidence.
Contribute where and when needed as a subject matter expert to CRC initiatives related to health in emergencies specifically in preparing operational tools, learning modules or training content using rigorous research methodology.
Ensure that members of research team are available to support program implementers / operation teams as and when needed.
Development of relevant learning platforms in coordination with learning and development (L&D) team, contributing to improving health research literacy and provide necessary research, evidence generation and scientific support.
Supports Health in Emergencies unit’s efforts to harmonize different CRC evidence-based packages of services related to emergency, recovery, and long-term programming.
Support program / operation teams in Profiling the outcome of CRC supported programs using rigorous research methodologies and help publishing the program outcomes.
Publish outcome of CRC supported programs in peer-reviewed journals as well as publish in grey literature as appropriate.
Support business development by documenting program / operation outcomes highlighting CRC’s track record.
Contribute to relevant white papers generated by CRC to support the work of the organization.
Lead in the identification, planning and management of peer reviewed conferences where CRC programs can be profiled.
Support program teams in profiling the outcome of CRC programs at appropriate domestic and global forums by contributing to abstract reviews and submissions.
Support and contribute to key workshops and trainings as and when required, including internal (CRC) or with other Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies, IFRC, ICRC or other partners.
Identifying platforms to disseminate the evidence-based achievements and support the dissemination activities.
Strengthen academic partnership and facilitate student’s placement.
Lead in building new academic partnerships and strengthening existing ones, to seek guidance in technical excellence in health programming and research.
Identify other potential partners of strategic significance.
Lead in working with academic partners in facilitating placement of master’s and doctoral students within HiE
Create and provide an accurate job description for the intern, which includes a statement of duties, the knowledge and skills required of the intern and a defined relationship with a supervisor and colleagues.
Ensure the interns are supported in learning, gaining professional work experience, and developing transferable skills.
Provide the intern with clear expectations of their performance, objectives, and project outcomes.
Provide regular opportunities for evaluation and discussion on the progress of work and projects.
Assist in making the intern feel part of the team.
Complete a formal evaluation of performance in line with CRC’s performance appraisal process or in line with the educational institute’s performance evaluation process.
Work with the Peoples Services (PS) in planning and implementation of regular student and volunteer mechanisms to ensure steady stream of workforce specialised in health.
Facilitate students interested in developing career in Humanitarian response.
Fosters teamwork through a professional exchange of experiences and expertise that can be transferred to other areas of work.
Contributes to a healthy and safe working environment.
Perform other duties, as required.
We’re looking for:
Post-graduate degree (PhD preferred) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Research Methodology, Health Policy Research, Public Health / Global Health or other post-graduate degree focusing on health programming and research.
Bachelor’s degree in medicine, nursing or other related clinical or public health fields.
Minimum 10 years of experience in health programming with at least 5 years of experience in health research related activities.
Track record of peer reviewed publications and other peer reviewed research activities including but not limited to conference presentations, funding and/or grants.
Minimum of 5 years of team managing experience
Demonstrated experience in project development and proposal writing.
Previous Red Cross / Red Crescent or similar humanitarian organization experience is considered a strong asset.
Working Conditions:
- This position is subject to successful Criminal Reference and Vulnerable Sector Checks.
- The majority of the work is performed in a clean and comfortable environment.
- May include long to moderate hours sitting and using computers and office equipment.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours on short notice.
- Ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions.
- This position may require domestic or overseas travel for deployment.
- If required, and eligible, periodic travel to country operations may be required. Field missions can involve working in environments that are unstable and with unpredictable access to basic services in emergency contexts and requiring very strict adherence to security regulations.
- Must be able to be Medical Cleared for travel in accordance with established CRC Medical criteria in positions where travel will be required.
At the Canadian Red Cross, our mission is to improve lives of vulnerable people. We are driven by the power of humanity to create a diverse, accessible, and equitable work environment. We celebrate uniqueness of every human being regardless of your race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, gender identity or expression.
CRC Core competencies
- Accountability: respects, inspires trust, is dependable, and uses judgment.
- Team excellence: adapts, demonstrates commitment, collaborates and builds relationships.
- Results focused: plans and organizes work, is goal/task oriented, is solution oriented,
- focuses on continuous learning.
- Service excellence: is service oriented. Commitment to gender equality, protection and social inclusion
- Commitment to the Principles of the Red Cross Movement.
- Commitment to gender equality, protection and social inclusion
Please notify us as soon as possible of any adaptive measures you might require at any stage of the recruitment process.
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