Status: Full time, indefinite
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario (hybrid)
Closing date: June 29, 2026
Salary range: $80,390 to $98,250 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 a current opening on our Pharmaceutical Policy and Post-Market Drug Evaluation team. The Program Officer is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of communication, collaboration, analysis, and coordination related to matters that directly support pharmaceutical advisory and expert committees. The Program Officer facilitates the multifaceted communication of a wide range of program development needs by responding to specific day-to-day operational issues.
This position reports directly to the Manager, Program and Policy Development, and works closely with program development officers, pharmaceutical review teams, and public drug plans.
What do the daily responsibilities look like?
On any given day, the Program Officer will:
- support the managers and Director of the Pharmaceutical Policy and Post-Market Drug Evaluation team by ensuring that the day-to-day operations and needs of the Director and managers are prioritized
- maintain effective communication channels for the exchange of information and provide support and assistance to team members to develop project materials when required
- be accountable for the successful execution of regular Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and working group meetings
- coordinate and manage the processes and activities of the Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and working groups by organizing and attending meetings; overseeing and coordinating teams for project initiation and development; and supporting collaboration and communication among the members, including expert committees (e.g., the Formulary Management Expert Committee [FMEC], the Canadian Drug Expert Committee [CDEC], and the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review [pCODR] Expert Review Committee [pERC])
- maintain operative processes, provide strategic insight for planning, and provide working group oversight at various committee levels
- establish and maintain effective partnerships with public drug plans through routine communications and facilitate the coordination of responses to public drug plan queries
- support Canada’s Drug Agency in a leadership role by acting as a point of contact to communicate project status adequately to all participants and keep them informed on deliverables and topics of interest
- work with program development officers, the Pharmaceutical Policy and Post-Market Drug Evaluation team, and drug program advisors to identify issues and gaps in processes; formalize procedures; develop approaches to manage issues and note key results from specific strategies; and identify opportunities to streamline overall program development operations
- work closely with program development officers to prioritize and plan for upcoming evidence and reimbursement reviews through the Formulary Management Expert Committee
- facilitate and support multifaceted activities, including the planning and coordination of advisory and expert committee meetings, initiatives, and collaborative projects
- maintain operative processes, provide strategic insight for planning, and provide working group oversight at various committee levels
- facilitate the collection of committee or working group requirements and build consensus among members on the accomplishment of deliverables
- contribute to pharmaceutical review reports and other product reports as required.
Is this the right role for you?
The Program Officer will likely have:
- completed a graduate degree in a health-related discipline (e.g., epidemiology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical policy), plus experience in health technology assessment methodology and application with at least 4 years of experience in a similar program coordination role or research coordination role, are required; additional related experience may serve as a suitable equivalent to the completion of postsecondary education
- demonstrated experience with and understanding of leading working groups and developing relationships that support the strategic position of Canada’s Drug Agency programs and activities
- excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organizational and project management capabilities, analytical skills, systems and critical thinking abilities, and strategic insight are necessary attributes
- a can-do attitude combined with anticipation of needs and the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities while ensuring plans are well executed and on time
- a strong working knowledge of current health care issues and medical terminology fluency
- strong interpersonal skills and networking capabilities, sound judgment, and the ability to take initiative
- a confident self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently, responsively, and under pressure, and to handle confidential matters with discretion
- a thorough understanding of office systems and operations as well as strong MS Office skills using Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
What will set you apart?
The following qualifications may help you stand out:
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 assessment processes. All hiring decisions, including application screening, are made by our hiring team members, who carefully review each application.
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 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.
#LI-Hybrid
