Director – Pan-Canadian Research and Implementation Initiatives Pan-Canadia

at  Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Job Description
Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionize education and drive social change. CAMH is more than a hospital, it is a cause. CAMH is on a mission to change the way society thinks about and responds to mental illness. They aim to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and shape a world where mental illness is central to our healthcare system – a world where Mental Health is Health.
To learn more about CAMH, please visit their website at: www.camh.ca.
To view our Land Acknowledgment, please click here.
The newly established pan-Canadian Integrated Youth Services (IYS) Collaboration Centre has been created to support development, implementation and evaluation of IYS practices, services, and research across Canada. There are emerging or established IYS networks in every province and territory in Canada, with close connections to the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network. IYS networks deliver mental health, substance use health, primary care, education, employment, housing and other health, social and community services to youth aged 12 to 25 years. The IYS model is also characterized by its commitments to equity, engagement, measurement and continuous learning. IYS youth hubs are in more than 100 communities across Canada and for example, in Ontario, are operated by Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario. The IYS Collaboration Centre and IYS Networks operate as a Learning Health System, where evidence, data, and care culture are used to generate new knowledge and continuously refine and deliver best practices for continuous improvement in mental health and substance use care.
As an employment equity employer, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) actively seeks First Nations, Inuit and Métis candidates, those from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, people who have experienced mental health and substance use challenges, and additional diverse identities, for our workforce.
The pan-Canadian Integrated Youth Services Collaboration Centre (IYS-CC) hosted by CAMH is seeking a full-time Director Pan-Canadian Research & Implementation Initiatives. This position will report to the Co-Scientific Director, IYS-CC (CAMH) and is a key member of the IYS-CC leadership team.
The Director leads the implementation and scaling of the IYS-CC Research and Implementation Initiatives, within the overall IYS-CC structure. The Director is responsible for key priorities including pan-Canadian and international partnerships and knowledge exchange related to research and implementation initiatives; developing and supporting IYS research networks and data networks; developing and mobilizing Implementation Science-based resources for IYS, and negotiating and implementing memoranda of understanding and/or other agreements with pan-Canadian partners. This position provides ongoing consultative support to IYS networks across Canada implementing data activities, research activities and/or implementing their networks as learning health systems, facilitated by a backbone organization, and represents IYS-CC at Pan-Canadian and international working groups, conferences and presentations and builds strong partnerships with governments and nonprofits in all regions. Key working relationships include Director of Practice-related initiatives, members of the IYS-CC team, senior and mid-level government and non-profit sector representatives across Canada and internationally. The Director develops/manages initiative related budget and expenditures, leads selected projects, strengthens relationships and policy development with the provincial/territorial and federal governments, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, system partners, the Pan-Canadian network, including youth and family members, and provides leadership and direction to own staff.
The IYS Collaboration Centre hosted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork and complies with all applicable standards and requirements.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Working in partnership with the IYS-CC Co-Scientific Director at CAMH and the IYS-CC Co-Scientific Director at HC, and the IYS-CC Director of Practice Initiatives, provide leadership in the development and operationalization of the IYS-CC, a pan-Canadian backbone team for existing and emerging IYS and related networks (e.g., ACCESS Open Minds Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network)
• In partnership with other IYS leads, provide leadership in establishing, developing and operating the IYS-CC Strategic Leadership Table, the IYS-CC research and implementation science initiatives
• Lead development and implementation of evidence informed approaches to change such as Implementation Science, Quality Improvement and service/system design to support IYS leaders to develop and implement backbone structures and learning health system processes;
• Implement capacity building activities to support implementation of evidence-based and wise practice for IYS audiences, particularly with regards to the integration of research and measurement within practice, and operation as a learning health systems;
• Develop strategic partnerships and alliances across Canada and internationally with government, organization and philanthropic partners to increase the reach and impact of Integrated Youth Services and ongoing efforts in advancing IYS;
• Develop, engage and coordinate the management of ongoing relationships with new and existing partners including government officials, academic institutions, youth health and social service organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, youth and families in support of development of shared vision and collective impact;
• Lead, develop and implement strategies, initiatives and policy projects at the IYS-CC to advance Integrated Youth Services overarching vision, goals and objectives and more broadly, to elevate the IYS profile and impact as a leader in youth mental health.
• Lead and facilitate strategic collaborative policy projects/joint initiatives with key members across the IYS pan-Canadian network and with external partners/ stakeholders to address complex system and access issues facing young people and families.
• Align IYS-CC strategy and policy with Federal governmental policy goals and priorities; strategize with key partners including the Graham Boeckh Foundation to align strategic priorities as well as efforts to engage the Federal government.
• Lead, develop and implement processes for strategic priority setting (e.g., advisory);
• Conceptualize new strategic initiatives that could be built around or benefit from corporate, foundation, government, bilateral organizations or other partnerships to expand the scope of the IYS-CC and the funding opportunities.
• Lead negotiations to develop formal agreements including MOUs and Collaboration Agreements.
• Create the infrastructure, policies and processes to share learning with partners and stakeholders across Canada. This includes sharing knowledge and identification of joint policy or initiatives with international partners.
• Provide advice, guidance and consultative services to other jurisdictions on cross-system integration, the development and implementation of IYS and strategic perspectives on policies, programs and long-range strategic planning.
• Represent IYS-CC as member of Pan-Canadian and international conferences, working groups and coalitions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements
The successful candidate will possess a Master’s Degree in an Psychology, Public Health, Indigenous Health, Health Administration, Public Administration or relevant discipline. Minimum ten years progressive leadership experience in academic health or community environments offering strategic insight, leadership and leading complex and dynamic cross-functional teams and initiatives, particularly research and implementation initiatives. You also have experience in youth mental health/substance use health/health, systems transformation, and integrated service and research models.

Previous experience applying, principles and practices of Indigenous engagement in the development of projects and partnerships is required, including demonstrated knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, cultures, perspectives and a demonstrated commitment to TRC and OCAP in research, implementation and data activities. In addition, experience with youth/family/community engagement, network building, training and capacity building, implementation processes and innovation development is required.

• Expertise in health or mental health program planning and implementation with a variety of organizations/agencies, with experience in the Indigenous health and/or mental health and/or substance use sector.
• Experience with large team-based and community-based research initiatives
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility, Calls to Action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Thorough understanding of principles and practices of Indigenous engagement is required. Demonstrated knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, cultures, perspectives and health service providers
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusivity, respect and social justice.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with diverse stakeholders of diverse backgrounds, equity seeking groups (such as First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other racialized people)
• Demonstrated skills and commitment to data driven/evidence-informed decision making.
• Experience working within an Implementation Science framework or other evidence informed implementation or Quality Improvement framework.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and leadership to collaborative partnerships and experience facilitating or contributing to program planning.
• Demonstrated ability to coach partners and colleagues using strength-based problem solving, active listening, motivational interviewing, modeling and other coaching strategies.
• Experience in assisting organizations/agencies with system change initiatives through facilitation, problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution.
• Excellent organizational, planning, project and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task, produce and coordinate projects to tight deadlines.
• Expertise in health equity and a proven track record of engaging others in open, meaningful and productive dialogue about equity, racism, and oppression.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work on a team, as well as function independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to supporting the engagement of young people and family members with lived experience in planning and implementation activities, preferably within a mental health/substance use context.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication (oral/written), community engagement, and creative problem-solving abilities are required.

Other Skills:

• Bilingualism (French/English) and/or the ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered an asset.

• Working in partnership with the IYS-CC Co-Scientific Director at CAMH and the IYS-CC Co-Scientific Director at HC, and the IYS-CC Director of Practice Initiatives, provide leadership in the development and operationalization of the IYS-CC, a pan-Canadian backbone team for existing and emerging IYS and related networks (e.g., ACCESS Open Minds Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network)
• In partnership with other IYS leads, provide leadership in establishing, developing and operating the IYS-CC Strategic Leadership Table, the IYS-CC research and implementation science initiatives
• Lead development and implementation of evidence informed approaches to change such as Implementation Science, Quality Improvement and service/system design to support IYS leaders to develop and implement backbone structures and learning health system processes;
• Implement capacity building activities to support implementation of evidence-based and wise practice for IYS audiences, particularly with regards to the integration of research and measurement within practice, and operation as a learning health systems;
• Develop strategic partnerships and alliances across Canada and internationally with government, organization and philanthropic partners to increase the reach and impact of Integrated Youth Services and ongoing efforts in advancing IYS;
• Develop, engage and coordinate the management of ongoing relationships with new and existing partners including government officials, academic institutions, youth health and social service organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, youth and families in support of development of shared vision and collective impact;
• Lead, develop and implement strategies, initiatives and policy projects at the IYS-CC to advance Integrated Youth Services overarching vision, goals and objectives and more broadly, to elevate the IYS profile and impact as a leader in youth mental health.
• Lead and facilitate strategic collaborative policy projects/joint initiatives with key members across the IYS pan-Canadian network and with external partners/ stakeholders to address complex system and access issues facing young people and families.
• Align IYS-CC strategy and policy with Federal governmental policy goals and priorities; strategize with key partners including the Graham Boeckh Foundation to align strategic priorities as well as efforts to engage the Federal government.
• Lead, develop and implement processes for strategic priority setting (e.g., advisory);
• Conceptualize new strategic initiatives that could be built around or benefit from corporate, foundation, government, bilateral organizations or other partnerships to expand the scope of the IYS-CC and the funding opportunities.
• Lead negotiations to develop formal agreements including MOUs and Collaboration Agreements.
• Create the infrastructure, policies and processes to share learning with partners and stakeholders across Canada. This includes sharing knowledge and identification of joint policy or initiatives with international partners.
• Provide advice, guidance and consultative services to other jurisdictions on cross-system integration, the development and implementation of IYS and strategic perspectives on policies, programs and long-range strategic planning.
• Represent IYS-CC as member of Pan-Canadian and international conferences, working groups and coalitions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned