Status: Full-time, temporary, until March 26, 2027 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario (hybrid) Closing date: April 8, 2026 Salary range: $87,720 to $109,140 per year
Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) is a pan-Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Created and funded by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada’s drug, health technology, and health systems landscape. We provide health system leaders in Canada with independent evidence and advice, empowering them to make informed decisions about drugs, health technologies, and broader health system strategies and investments, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact. CDA-AMC was named 1 of the National Capital Region’s top employers for the third year in a row. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that nurtures growth and innovation. It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.
Hybrid Work Arrangement At CDA-AMC, employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work-life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in-person collaboration and the importance of team building. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days onsite, though this requirement may vary based on business and operational needs.
Primary Focus We are seeking to fill 2 current openings on our Data Services and Analytics team. Reporting to the Director, Data Services and Analytics, the Program Development Officer (Drugs for Rare Diseases) will be responsible for overseeing the development of, and defining the corresponding deliverables for, projects focused on emerging opportunities in health and health policy, including federal priorities such as the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases. You will work closely with internal project teams to ensure an ongoing focus on meeting federal, provincial, and territorial health care decision-maker needs. The Program Development Officer is also responsible for finding the balance that matches customer needs with the feasibility of the request.
What do the daily responsibilities look like? On any given day, the Program Development Officer will: • ensure that Canada’s Drug Agency product(s) in the drug portfolio support customer decision-making needs by: ◦ developing topics for Optimal Use and/or Therapeutic Reviews, Environmental Scans, and Horizon Scanning products using proactive scans and via dialogue with clinical experts ◦ consulting and dialoguing with representatives from publicly funded federal, provincial, and territorial drug benefit plans in Canada; clinical experts; and appropriate internal staff, and by developing project proposals, including the specific deliverables for projects (e.g., reports, recommendations, and tools), to maximize impact ◦ monitoring the project throughout its life cycle to ensure the deliverables continue to meet customer needs ◦ working collaboratively with internal teams to promote the delivery, uptake, and impact of deliverables • be fully informed of key collaborators (e.g., clinical experts, advocates, and disease specialty groups) to participate in topic identification and the development of projects • act as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to the assigned priority areas in the drug portfolio • work with the Director to help prepare background briefing materials, lead and/or participate in meetings, liaise with internal and external partners, present materials, and perform other duties, as required • represent the organization nationally and/or internationally, upon request, at meetings, conferences, and other events, and provide presentations on relevant priority areas of research.
Is this the right role for you? The Program Development Officer will likely have: • completion of a graduate degree in a health-related discipline with no less than 4 years of experience in a related sector; alternatively, a BSc in pharmacy or an MD with 4 years of relevant experience • knowledge and understanding of drug therapy, pharmacoeconomic and drug evaluation principles, and how best to maximize the uptake and impact of evidence-based information in the health sector • knowledge and experience in research methods used in the development and application of health technology assessments • an understanding of the health care system in Canada and knowledge of the decision-making processes within the federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions • strong writing, presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills, together with solid planning and analytical skills • strong customer service orientation, with the ability to communicate and build collaborative and productive relationships with a variety of partners • experience managing multiple tasks, with the ability to manage and facilitate change • conceptual thinking skills to promote systems thinking and identify trends and process improvements • the ability to thrive and effectively identify potential solutions in situations characterized by uncertainty or ambiguity.
What will set you apart? The following qualifications may help you stand out: • experience with rare diseases • fluency in French.
What’s in it for you? At CDA-AMC, you will find: • a team-focused, supportive, and inclusive work environment • a competitive compensation package, including participation in a defined benefit pension plan with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) • a comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including health, dental, life, and travel insurance; spending accounts to meet your health care and individual wellness needs; and an employee assistance program • generous paid time off (including a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave and life leave, a December holiday closure, your birthday as a paid day off, and other leave options) • flexible hours and a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance • opportunities to work with and learn from highly specialized professionals • personal growth through professional development opportunities, corporate training, and support for continuing education • a friendly culture in which community engagement is supported and people’s efforts and important milestones are recognized • the opportunity to make a difference for people living in Canada and effect positive change.
To apply for this position, visit the Careers section of our website. Your application must clearly identify how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role. You can also share a portfolio or work samples to showcase your skills and experience to give us a clearer understanding of what you can do. Applications for this opportunity may be used for future staffing vacancies. We thank you for your interest; however, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Hiring Process Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you and for you to get to know us. It includes introductory calls, a panel interview, and opportunities to showcase your skills. You will also have time to ask questions and explore how you can contribute to the team and organization.
Our applicant tracking system includes artificial intelligence features; however, these are not used in our selection or recruitment processes. All hiring decisions, including application screening, are made by our hiring team members, who carefully review each application to ensure a valid process. At CDA-AMC, our employees share a passion for building the future of the health systems in Canada. We recognize that our employees bring diverse strengths, experiences, and backgrounds. One of our collective strengths is our culture and our commitment to creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
CDA-AMC is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We highly encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Indigenous people, people of all places of origin and religions, people with disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, people who are racialized, women, and people from 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
We provide accommodations during all phases of the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations, please let the Talent Acquisition team know when they contact you. We will work with you to meet your needs.
Please note that, as a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment background check, including criminal, employment, and education verifications.
Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
