Screening Advisor, Colorectal Screening

This opportunity is for independent advisors only. The successful advisor will sign a vendor agreement with the Partnership. Advisors are not considered Partnership employees. 

Division overview

The Cancer Systems and Innovation Division supports initiatives to improve equitable access, to better experiences and outcomes, and to advance reconciliation throughout Canada’s cancer system. The division enables system change with data, research, innovation and modelling. Work of the division is primarily accomplished through partnerships across Canada to implement evidence-informed and co-developed solutions, encompassing everything from prevention and screening to diagnosis and clinical care through to palliative care and survivorship.

Overview of role

To achieve the work of the Strategy, the Partnership engages with experts across the country as part of our advisory structures. These structures foster collaboration, content credibility, and deepen the involvement of a cross-section of cancer and health system experts, clinicians, health care providers, patients, and families across the organization. Advisory structures include Screening Advisors who supply strategic counsel to the Partnership in a specific area across the cancer control continuum in addition to the full spectrum of its work with several committees, networks, and other advisory structures. Screening Advisors help to ensure that Canada’s Cancer system is well connected to emerging evidence and best practices globally.

The Partnership is currently seeking one (1) exceptional individual to serve as a Screening Advisor, Colorectal Screening to advance the priorities of the Strategy. Specifically, the Screening Advisor will provide content-specific expertise and strategic guidance to ensure that colorectal cancer screening initiatives support the delivery of high quality and patient-centered screening services with a focus on health equity. The Screening Advisor will provide their knowledge and expertise while working with Partnership staff and key system partners to inform the development and implementation of Partnership initiatives to drive the Strategy forward. The work of the Screening Advisor will have a particular focus on Priority #2: Diagnose cancer faster, accurately and at an earlier stage. 

Core responsibilities and activities

As a leader in their field, the Screening Advisor will provide counsel, and subject matter expertise to the Partnership’s Screening Team and broader organization on colorectal screening programs to support the implementation of key projects and strategic initiatives.

The Screening Advisor will be responsible for providing advice to the Director, Screening to advance the Strategy and assist in identifying synergies across cancer control initiatives.  The Screening Advisor will also support with the planning and execution of the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (NCCSN) activities and engagements. The NCCSN includes representatives appointed by Ministries of Health and Cancer Agencies/Programs, professional organizations, and Patient, Family and Caregiver Advisors, each serving a unique role as implementers of change in the cancer system.

The Screening Advisor will contribute to an annual Screening Steering Committee, whose membership is comprised of Partnership Screening Advisors from different disease sites (breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung), and which provides strategic guidance to identify and advance integrated approaches to cancer screening and address common opportunities and challenges. The Screening Advisor may also contribute to other Partnership screening or advisory structures. The successful individual will be expected to stay informed and bring forward new developments within the respective screening modality and be connected to pan-Canadian and international leaders to contribute broad new thinking to the Partnership’s work and strategic direction in screening. From time to time, the Screening Advisor may serve as external ambassadors for the organization by participating in forums or responding to media requests.

The Screening Advisor will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic guidance to the Screening team and the NCCSN planning committee to shape the strategic direction of colorectal cancer screening initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.
• Providing content expertise on evolving evidence, research, and best practices in colorectal cancer screening, ensuring the Partnership is informed of the latest developments.
• Actively engaging with the scientific, research and cancer screening community, both within Canada and internationally, and bring forward learnings to the Partnership, including emerging and leading practices across the cancer continuum.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for the Partnership on key discussions related to cancer screening, including providing specialized advice on programmatic, clinical, research, or policy-related issues, on an as-needed basis.
• Representing the Partnership at key internal and external meetings as needed, including but not limited to sharing successes with other Partnership advisory groups and acting as spokesperson for media other queries related to cancer screening.
• Reviewing and providing input on knowledge products, resources and the development of surveys, indicators, and reports to ensure they reflect current evidence in colorectal screening
• Participating in related workshops and/or projects.

Experience and qualifications

• A PhD, MD and/or relevant experience in leadership and operational roles in colorectal cancer screening. 
• Leader in the field of colorectal cancer screening with a depth of experience and expertise in Canadian cancer screening systems and population health field, including clinical expertise, knowledge of implementation and research priorities in cancer screening and/or experience with screening program operations.
• Experience or expertise in health equity and/or improving equitable access to cancer screening services for those who historically and currently experience disparities in cancer care in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills and strong group facilitation skills to foster dialogue, sharing, and problem-solving amongst multidisciplinary and jurisdictional partners and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to engage provincial, territorial and/or pan-Canadian forums, and demonstrates a commitment to the priorities and enablers of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.
• Bilingual in both English and French is an asset.

Term of the contract

The successful candidate will be hired on a contract basis for a 12-month term.

The incumbent will be able to commit an average of 8-16 hours per month, with an understanding that the workload will vary depending on the phase of the work. The incumbent must be able to attend meetings with the Partnership and partners during business hours at a time mutually agreed upon.

Other Information

To apply, please forward a letter of interest and resume combined in one file in Word or PDF format to peopleandculture@partnershipagainstcancer.ca Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Should you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact the Screening team by email at screening@partnershipagainstcancer.ca.