SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER

Pursue a Career with Impact

A key part of Canada’s foreign policy efforts, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting solutions that aim to improve lives and livelihoods. Join our team to put your ideas and knowledge to work to help solve some of the developing world’s most critical challenges.

SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER – Ottawa, Canada

Foundations for Innovation – Life Sciences

Term Position until March 2022

The Science and Innovation program supports research and capacity building to help developing countries produce, adapt and use science, technology and innovation for development. All countries need to develop the capacity to produce and use science and technology themselves, and adapt knowledge to their needs and contexts. The projects we fund encourage the generation and sharing of knowledge across regions and countries. Part of the program partners with Canada’s science granting councils to support joint research by Canadian and international scientists in areas of shared interest, such as sustainable societies and climate change.

A new initiative of the Science and Innovation program involves collaboration between IDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) to fund the “Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program” (“the Initiative”). The three agencies support the search for breakthroughs in health sciences that have the potential to bring about enduring changes across the globe, including in developing regions. 

The objectives of the Initiative are to advance research and discovery in the biomedical sciences, to encourage international scientific collaboration between Canadian and Israeli researchers and other eligible co-applicants; and to build capacity in biomedical science and brain research in, and scientific relations with, collaborators and trainees from low and middle income countries.

As a Senior Program Officer you will: coordinate and provide technical guidance to the Initiative’s competition processes, monitor the technical and financial performance of projects, promote research quality and scientific merit, facilitate program learning and synthesis across projects, contribute to governance and represent IDRC.

Overview of Qualifications

• Ph. D. in health, biomedical, natural or applied sciences with application to neuroscience
• Minimum of five years relevant experience in biomedical science which includes: 

• Program research management involving multiple stakeholders
• Leading, managing and conducting research projects involving international researchers on issues related to biomedical research
• Consulting with life science companies, decision-makers and policy actors to identify research needs

• Sound knowledge of new frontiers in biomedical medical and brain research and the relevance of neuroscience to the broader field of health sciences 

• Bilingual (English/French) at an intermediate level

For more information about this rewarding career opportunity and to apply, please visit our website at idrc.ca/careers

Application Deadline: July 26, 2015

Beyond the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about their work, we offer competitive salaries and extensive benefits including opportunities for professional growth, flexible work hours, employer-paid leave, a pension plan, and medical, dental, and life insurance coverage.

IDRC is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from qualified women, Aboriginal persons, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.