Who we are
At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values: champion health, practice humility, embrace change, drive impact, learn and grow and be heartfelt as we work together to beat heart disease and stroke.
We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion ― it’s embedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, and people living disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about our mission, values, commitment to EDI, and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please visit our website.
The opportunity
Please note this is a remote work position within Canada. Permanent, fulltime
Heart & Stroke is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of Canadians by preventing and reducing disability and death from heart disease and stroke through research, health promotion and advocacy. Heart & Stroke is one of the leading forces supporting Canadian research in heart and brain health. Heart & Stroke is increasing the number of strategic research funding programs in support of Mission priorities.
Heart & Stroke is a member of the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum (GCRFF), a global alliance of 12 major cardiovascular research funders. As part of its efforts, the GCRFF has prioritized women’s cardiovascular health as a strategic area for its first collective research investment. One research grant of a maximum value of USD 10 million over 5 years will be awarded to the highest rated international research network application.
The Specialist, Strategic Research Programs will play a pivotal role in planning, coordinating and delivering the operational activities for the development and implementation of Heart & Stroke strategic research funding programs and the GCRFF research network grant program competition in women’s cardiovascular health. The role involves planning and coordinating the application and the peer review processes, ensuring the timely delivery of the application and peer review material, and providing quality service to a variety of stakeholders including research applicants and peer review committee members for Heart & Stroke and GCRFF.
How you will make an impact every day
Program material (guidelines, peer review, annual reporting)
Assist with the preparation of the competition material for Heart & Stroke and GCRFF, including the research guidelines (call for proposals) and the application material (Letter of Intent, Full Application, and other forms)
Collaborate with the GCRFF Women’s Project Lead and the Leducq Foundation to enable implementation of the application process through the grant administration portal.
Collaborate with the GCRFF Women’s Project to ensure the competition guidelines/call for proposals and any research policies are posted and up to date on the GCRFF webpage.
Develop the GCRFF and Heart & Stroke guidelines and material for the adjudication of the LOIs and full applications.
Develop the GCRFF and Heart & Stroke material and forms for strategic funded groups annual reporting and assessment.
Program management (application, peer review, awarding, post-award grant management)
Coordinate the application process for strategic funding opportunities.
Recruit, onboard and coordinate Scientific Review Panels for strategic research programs.
Coordinate the peer review process for strategic funding opportunities.
Coordinate the award notification process for strategic funding opportunities.
Ensure progress reports are submitted and outcomes are tracked effectively.
For the GCRFF funded network, coordinate the annual grant review process in collaboration with the Funders Operations Committee (FOC).
Support mid-term and end-of-term knowledge exchange meetings with members of strategic funded groups (e.g., principal investigators [PIs]). For GCRFF, this will be in collaboration with the FOC.
Grant management system
For GCRFF funding, works closely with the Research Manager from the Leducq Foundation to assist with: (1) adaptations to the grant management system (portal) for this research program; (2) management of applications and submissions; (3) support and customer service to portal users.
For Heart & Stroke, works closely with the Manager, Strategic Research Programs to assist with Heart & Stroke grant management system.
Ensure progress reports are submitted and outcomes are tracked effectively.
Communication and liaison
Act as a central contact person for research applicants and members of peer review committees.
Provide support to applicants throughout the grant application process, addressing queries and providing guidance on the funding opportunity.
Provide support and respond to inquiries and information requests from peer review committees and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., GCRFF, Heart & Stroke).
Provide peer review committee secretariat support to virtual peer review committee meetings.
Serve as a secretariat as required at Heart & Stroke peer review meetings.
For GCRFF, liaise with the American Heart Association (AHA) to ensure the submission and fulfillment of financial and research progress reporting requirements.
Who we need
Education
Graduate degree (MSc) in a health-related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience will be considered.
Experience
Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in research administration.
Experience in the Canadian health research ecosystem and/or health research funding environment.
Experience in international health research and/or research funding contexts is an asset.
Skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and customer service skills
Strong problem-solving skills, solution-oriented
Work in a deadline driven environment
Superior accuracy and attention to detail
Computer proficiency, technical expertise with grant management software, databases, large data sets
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
What we offer
At Heart & Stroke, we make it a priority to foster a culture of caring by implementing practices and programs that foster respect, compassion, trust and attentiveness to our own and others’ health and well-being.
In addition to a competitive salary, we believe that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer a generous paid time-off package including vacation days, personal days, wellness days, and paid company-wide closure between December 25 and January 1. We also provide competitive health, medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, an employee assistance program (EAP) and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching. Our employees also enjoy a flexible hybrid working model and reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup, as well as opportunities for professional development.
Apply now
If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke, please apply by sending your resume by August 9, 2024. Applicants must be currently residing in Canada and legally entitled to work in Canada.
Only those candidates that qualify will be selected for an interview. At this time, all interviews are being conducted via phone and/or video call ― we look forward to “virtually” meeting you!
Accommodation
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will do our best to address your needs.
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