Chief Executive Officer - AMENDMENT, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

**If you have applied between March 4, 2020 and August 16, 2021, you do not need to re-apply to be considered for this position.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction is an arm’s length, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has a legislated mandate to provide national leadership in reducing the harms associated with problematic substance use. Its main purpose is to increase national awareness on matters related to known and emerging substances, and to promote evidence-based tools and resources nationally and internationally to inform decision making across the country as we address the harms of substance use and addiction on the health and safety of Canadians.

The Chief Executive Officer is accountable for the implementation of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Act, passed in Parliament in 1988 and leads the organization to conceive, build and sustain pan-Canadian strategies and efforts aimed at addressing the harms of problematic substance use. The Chief Executive Officer must align efforts with Federal priorities while also responding to provincial and territorial needs. To do so, the Chief Executive Officer must draw support and build engagement among and with a wide variety of governments, professional and regulatory institutions, health professionals and the not-for-profit and private sectors. The Chief Executive Officer will be required to respond effectively to evolving needs and national priorities related to substance use and addiction through strategic partnerships encompassing health, public safety and social domains, and drive individual and collective efforts to inform policy and practice area.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a health related field, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, training and /or job-related experience;


• A post graduate degree in a health-related field, business or health administration would be considered an asset;


• Experience in strategic management, including change management, and implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices;


• Leadership and management experience at the senior executive level, including managing human and financial resources;


• Significant experience in the field of substance use and addictions and/or health sector;


• Experience in dealing with several levels of government, preferably with senior officials, including the preparation of submissions for funding and articulation of strategic goals/outcomes;


• Experience mobilizing and leading a variety of national, consultative and collaborative efforts among diverse groups of stakeholders, including all levels of government, professionals and professional organizations, non-governmental organizations, the business community and the public; and


• Experience addressing systemic and structural barriers, fostering equity and inclusion with diverse individuals/organizations/communities (including but not limited to indigeneity, race, sex and gender, people with lived experience), and a demonstrated commitment to inter-sectional approaches to addressing public policy challenges.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of CCSA as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;


• Knowledge of the alcohol and other drugs field, including but not limited to: prevention, harm reduction, treatment, enforcement and recovery in terms of policy, practice and application at the national and international level as relevant to the CCSA Act;


• Knowledge of the health care system and how it inter-relates with problematic substance use and addiction issues, and a broad understanding of the many domains of science related to substance use disorders and related issues;


• Knowledge of the sex, gender, diversity and intersectional dimensions related to problematic substance use;


• Knowledge and understanding of sound business practices and principles, including human resources, financial and risk management;


• Demonstrated knowledge or expertise in change management and innovation in corporate, non-profit or public sector;


• Ability to effectively lead an organization into the future and working with a Board of Directors in the development of innovation and change strategies, plans, objectives and articulation of strategic impact;


• Superior representational skills to articulate organizational vision and strategy to external audiences;


• Ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and to lead diverse groups in order to develop and implement consensus-built strategies and achieve short, medium and long term results;


• Ability to provide national and international leadership in the field of problematic substance use; and


• Ability to lead high performance teams and motivate them to achieve corporate objectives.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders, and the media


• Sound judgement, flexibility, impartiality, objectivity and discretion


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Superior interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy


• Strategic and innovative leader

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on August 20, 2021. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.