The Strategic Partnerships Division plays a key role in the engagement of partners in Canada’s health system and broader cancer community who are critical to implementing practice and policy changes that deliver on the priorities of the 2019-2029 Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. The division works with the Partnership’s program teams and system partners to develop work plans, monitor progress, and regularly assess new and evolving work to ensure it aligns with the eight priorities of the Strategy. The division also leads communications activities to support and profile the collaborations that drive towards the outcomes of the Strategy. Strategic Partnerships also oversees a special agenda of working alongside First Nations, Inuit and Métis to advance People-specific priorities and actions, outlined in the Strategy, by co-developing and implementing solutions to improving cancer care for those in these communities.

Overview

The British Columbia/Yukon Regional Liaison is responsible for optimizing the strategic relationships between the Partnership and cancer and health system partners in BC and YT.

Over the years, CPAC has established robust, strategic relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders in both jurisdictions. While there exist multiple levels and layers to these relationships (program to program, senior leadership to senior leadership, local Indigenous organizations to the Partnership’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis team, etc.) the Regional Liaison’s role is to ensure strategic balance and overall coordination. In addition, the Regional Liaison is expected to identify new opportunities, pre-empt potential challenges, and ensure ongoing communication and alignment at the strategic, not operational level.

Working with Regional Liaisons for the Prairies and Northwest Territories, Ontario, Québec, and Atlantic Canada, the BC/Yukon Liaison will support coordination of engagement with partners across Canada to accelerate action and delivery of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC) and outcomes. The British Columbia/Yukon Regional Liaison reports to the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships.

Core responsibilities and activities

• Establish and cultivate relationships and engage in ongoing communication with high priority stakeholders at senior levels in both British Columbia’s and Yukon’s cancer and broader health care systems.
  • This includes identification of key partner organizations, departments, associations, and individuals (within and outside the cancer care system) with whom the Partnership should establish foundational relationships to open opportunities for collaboration on cancer strategy work.
• Work with cancer program leads in both British Columbia and Yukon to help advance local level priorities (and potential role for the Partnership and other partners) as they pertain to the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.
• Work with the Partnership’s Partner Engagement team to develop strategic connections with regional/national offices of pan-Canadian patient advocacy and charitable organizations (e.g. CCS, Lung Association) to help advance goals in the Strategy.
• Work in collaboration with the Partnership’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Cancer Strategy team to support self-identified, People-specific priorities in the work of cancer and related health and wellness programs in BC and the Yukon.
• Make connections across teams at the Partnership and with other Regional Liaisons to help address priorities articulated (or emergent) within the region.
• Working with Regional Liaisons for Québec, Prairies and Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada, support CPAC in strategically addressing risks and responding to trends and opportunities across the country.
• Facilitate regional partner meetings as appropriate to build connections, share information and gather intelligence. Work with regional partners to ensure strong participation in Partnership meetings (e.g. board, network meetings etc.).
• Liaise with Partnership project leads to help ensure the appropriate local connections are in place to support the success of the initiative.
• On occasion, present regional perspectives at the Partnership Strategic Management Committee (Directors and Executive team) and other strategic internal tables.

Deliverables

• Contribute to an up-to-date stakeholder map for BC/Yukon and provide input into the pan-Canadian stakeholder map.
• As appropriate, participate in (and report back on) jurisdictional cancer/health system meetings and forums to provide pan-Canadian perspective on strategic initiatives (e.g. Prevention, Screening).
  • Work closely with CPAC teams prior to meetings to identify upcoming engagements and ensure program team priorities are represented.
• Represent the Partnership on provincial/territorial and regional forums: e.g. participate in provincial/territorial large-scale meetings.
• Continuously scan and report upon the provincial and territorial region’s/jurisdiction’s government and health care system landscapes (including monitoring election cycles) to identify emerging issues and opportunities and report to relevant Partnership staff and program teams to inform strategic and operational planning.
  • This involves an understanding of the North-South relationship and helping to strengthen the connection for the betterment of the cancer patient experience.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working at a senior leadership level in the British Columbia health sector; experience working with Yukon is an asset.
• Strong knowledge and insights into cancer control in general and cancer systems in BC and YT.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Proven record of successfully building strategic relationships with key leaders in the current BC and Yukon health systems is an asset.
• Bilingual in both English and French is an asset.
• Cultural Competency Training and experience working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis is an asset.

Terms of contract

The successful proponent will be contracted for a 12-month term The incumbent will require to be able to commit an average of 5-10 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.

To apply, please forward a completed letter of interest along with a resume in one file in Word or PDF format to peopleandculture@partnershipagainstcancer.ca by April 29, 2025.

Should you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact Heather Lawless, Manager, Government Engagement, by email at heather.lawless@partnershipagainstcancer.ca