Job Description

At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values: champion health, practice humility, embrace change, drive impact, learn and grow and be heartfelt as we work together to beat heart disease and stroke.

We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion \xe2\x80\x95 it\xe2\x80\x99s embedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about our mission, values, commitment to EDI, and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please

(Please note this is a 12-month contract and hybrid working role.)

The Senior Advisor, Health Policy and Systems is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s health systems change and government relations efforts in Nova Scotia. The Advisor works with health system leaders, clinicians, people with lived experience, researchers, and other key stakeholders to advance Mission-related projects to improve the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems of care. This individual also executes the provincial advocacy efforts by opening doors for the Foundation to communicate its Mission-related priorities with government officials, agencies and with other key stakeholders.

The Advisor is a member of the provincial mission team and contributes to both regional and organizational-wide initiatives as appropriate.

How you will make an impact every day

Leading health systems and policy initiatives in the province through government and stakeholder relations, partnerships and advocacy

• Establish and maintain network of contacts with health system leaders, and front-line staff to support systems-change projects in Mission pillars.
• Open doors for the Foundation to communicate its Mission-related priorities with government officials and their staff, related agencies and with senior leadership in provincial non-governmental organizations.
• Establish and maintain a network of contacts, relationships and linkages with all levels of government, other health charities, stakeholders and coalitions to support policy and advocacy activities.
• Work with partner organizations to develop common advocacy positions and strategies that further the Foundations\xe2\x80\x99 strategic objectives.
• Current advocacy projects include representing HSF on Tobacco (e.g., Smoke Free NS), cardiac arrest, and heart failure projects.
• Sustain the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s relationships with the research community, stewarding and strengthening provincial researcher relationships. Engagement, understanding and problem-solving related to provincial/regional contexts and issues in research.
• Act as the external face of the organization, proactively and strategically engaging stakeholders, attending external meetings, making presentations, etc.

Environmental Scanning

• Track and relate pertinent information and relevant policy decisions by government and healthcare systems to internal and external stakeholders.
• Scan and report on current trends in policy development as they relate to the HSF mission; track major patterns and trends in the evolution of public policy in the province as it may affect programs and activities; keep current with and assess changing public opinion as it relates to the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s mission.

Operations, Business Planning and Budget Management

• Administer, and control the budget approved for mission programs and activities and manage implementation within the assigned budget and resource parameters. Ensure accurate and timely accounting and reporting of expenses and analyze and resolve variances.
• Familiarize and comply with all financial, accounting, IT, contract and purchasing policies and procedures. Ensure supplier relationships are properly established, clearly documented, and managed in accordance with contract and purchasing policies.

Advisor and Partner

• Work pro-actively and collaboratively with staff and volunteers across the country to problem solve and develop common advocacy initiatives and strategic priorities.
• Support the communications and marketing staff in promoting the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s programs to Foundation staff, volunteers, donors and the public.
• Work with colleagues in the Foundation to ensure cross-departmental planning, development and evaluation of Foundation activities and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the national mission leaders, national committees and work groups and other provincial Foundations regarding program development and management.

Stakeholder /Volunteer Engagement

• Function as a Foundation key spokesperson to the media and gives presentations to the public and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the credibility of the Foundation by representing the Foundation at external functions.
• Develop and maintain effective communication links with associations and regulatory agencies that can assist the Foundation in achieving its goals and works with key stakeholders (e.g., government officials) in the identification and delivery of health promotion initiatives and activities.
• Engages senior volunteers on the Provincial Advisory Board in mission-related activities, as appropriate.
• Ensure strong volunteer structures to support the effective delivery of regional mission activities and identify volunteer requirements for program activities and collaborate in the recruitment of suitably qualified volunteers to assist in the implementation of programs where appropriate.

Who we need

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience
• Experience networking and convening with multiple stakeholders including government, NGOs, and the public to solve complex health-related problems.
• Experience advocating to federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments within the health portfolio
• A strong technical background in program planning and evaluation and a firm grasp of health policy and systems change theory and models are required.

Education

• University degree in allied health profession or a related field.
• Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in health policy, health administration, health systems considered an asset

Skills

• Proficiency in both official languages is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Leadership skills and the ability to influence others by articulating sound, rational arguments.
• Ability to establish, lead and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills including comfort working with the media.
• Strong knowledge of Windows operating systems. Operation and manipulation of word processing, spread sheet and presentation software packages. Excellent knowledge of the Internet required.
• Ability to work inter-departmentally and to communicate effectively with senior volunteers and staff across the Foundation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong external contacts.
• Requires superior planning, problem-solving and analytical skills.

What we offer

In addition to a competitive salary, Heart & Stroke believes that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer paid wellness days and personal days. In addition, we provide health, medical, dental and vision benefits. Furthermore, our staff enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements and support with reimbursement for mobile phones and home office set up.

Apply now

If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke while building an engaged and giving community, apply by September 20, 2023.

To learn more about our mission, our values and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please .

H&S has a vaccination policy that requires all employees to be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid exemption. You can view our policy

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please advise and we will work with you. At this time, interviews are currently being conducted via phone or video call, so we look forward to \xe2\x80\x98virtually\xe2\x80\x99 meeting you!

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