This position will be for a period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of being extended.
Reporting to the Manager, Health Policy & Equity, this position provides policy expertise, advice and support across the Health Department on the development of policy initiatives and initiatives to improve health equity across Durham Region.
The incumbent will:
- Provide policy analysis to Managers, Division Heads and the Commissioner & Medical Officer of Health related to emerging public health issues, changes in legislation, trends in health status, health disparities, priority populations and strategic opportunities
- Conduct literature reviews, jurisdictional and environmental scans and make recommendations using evidence and community-based research
- Guide the development of and/or contribute to comprehensive reports regarding health inequities, priority populations and determinants of health
- Draft reports to Regional Council, briefing notes and position papers for the Commissioner & Medical Officer of Health and/or Division Heads
- Develop policies, resources and tools to integrate a health equity lens during program planning and implementation
- Prepare presentations to staff, Division Heads and Regional Council
- Convene and engage with internal and external stakeholders to collaborate on policy initiatives and inform policy decisions
- Participate on committees and workgroups internally and within the community
The successful applicant will possess:
- A University Degree in Public Health, Community Health, Health Promotion, Public Policy or related discipline
- Several years work experience in policy analysis
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of public health issues, legislation, regulations, Ontario Public Standards as well as public health programs and services
- Detailed understanding of health equity, proportionate universalism, social determinants of health and their application to public health
- Knowledge of policy analysis methods and resources, public policy practices and programs
- Understanding of the roles/responsibilities of other agencies or departments including provincial Ministries (e.g., Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario, etc.)
- Highly-developed interpersonal and collaboration skills, including an open and respectful approach to engaging colleagues with diverse perspectives
- Excellent analytical, problem solving and research skills
- Superior verbal and written communication skills as well as attention to detail
- Strong project management, organizational and time-management skills
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) in a Windows environment