Position Profile: Senior Knowledge Broker
Reports to: Director, Health Services Quality and Modernization
Profile date: September 2026
Reason for Vacancy: Existing Role - Replacement
About the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) changes lives by bringing people and knowledge together to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs on society. We partner with public, private, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve the health and safety of people living in Canada. An NGO with a national focus, CCSA envisions a healthier Canadian society where evidence transforms approaches to substance use.
Acknowledgement
CCSA acknowledges that First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis people are the holders of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. We respect the power of the Indigenous ways of knowing and of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and commit to learning about and incorporating this knowledge into our work with proper guidance.
About the Position
The Senior Knowledge Broker (SKB) serves as a bridge between evidence, policy, and practice to support the uptake and sustainment of evidence-informed approaches that improve substance use health services across Canada. Reporting to the Director, Health Services Quality and Modernization, the SKB will use implementation science frameworks and concepts for the planning, coordination, and implementation of CCSA-supported programs and services across health systems and organizations. Working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners, the SKB builds capacity among service providers through implementation support, training, facilitation and knowledge exchange activities. The SKB also supports research and knowledge mobilization activities by synthesizing and translating evidence into practical tools, resources, training, and implementation strategies that support practice and system improvement. This role supports the development of strong partnerships with collaborators and contributes to engagement activities that support the successful adoption of evidence-informed approaches.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Leads and supports the planning, implementation, evaluation, and sustainment of evidence-informed practices, programs, services, and clinical guidelines across healthcare systems and within healthcare and community-based settings
- Develops, disseminates and supports the use of evidence-informed resources, implementation tools, training materials, and knowledge products tailored to diverse audiences
- Supports organizations in assessing implementation readiness, identifying operational requirements, and addressing barriers and facilitators to successful adoption and sustainment of evidence-informed practices
- Conducts environmental scans, literature reviews and applied research activities to inform implementation strategies, program planning and knowledge products
- Works collaboratively with healthcare professionals, services providers, researchers, organizational leaders, and people with lived and living experience to assess readiness, facilitate change management, and support implementation planning and execution
- Supports the development and use of implementation, evaluation and quality improvement measures to assess uptake, outcomes and sustainability of evidence-informed practices
- Facilitates workshops, consultations, communities of practice, and other knowledge exchange activities to support implementation and organizational learning
- Synthesizes research evidence and practice-based knowledge into actionable recommendations that support service improvement and system change
- Supports project management activities, including co-ordinating project work, collaborating with colleagues and identifying deliverables, leading and facilitating project meetings, tracking deliverables and timelines, monitoring project budgets and partner engagement milestones
Partnership Engagement
- Builds and maintains productive relationships with partners including those with lived or living experience of substance use
- Coordinates partner engagement activities, including responding to inquiries, maintaining communication, supporting consultations and fostering ongoing participation throughout project lifecycles
- Identifies potential risks and benefits for projects and liaises with the team to resolve problems
- Builds strong relationships through ongoing communication and support to encourage the active participation, satisfaction, and commitment of partners and contributors
- Tracks deliverables and keeps partners and all interested parties updated about progress
This position profile is designed to provide an overview of the main responsibilities for the role. Other responsibilities not identified in this position profile may be assigned based on the personâs experience and operational requirements.
Qualifications
- Registered healthcare professional in good standing with a recognized Canadian regulatory body (e.g., nursing, social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, pharmacy, or other regulated health profession) with experience working in clinical healthcare settings
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., health sciences, nursing, public health, health administration, adult education) or area related to the substance use field
- Demonstrated experience applying implementation science, quality improvement, healthcare transformation, or organizational change methodologies in healthcare or community service settings
- Working knowledge of implementation science theories, frameworks, and conceptual models, and the ability to apply these concepts in implementation and evaluation activities
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals, researchers, organizational leaders, and people with lived and living experience
- Ability to promote collaboration, facilitate organizational change, and work productively both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge of healthcare systems and the continuum of mental health and substance use services, including evidence-based approaches for the treatment and management of various disorders
- Experience conducting literature reviews and ability to understand, express and apply quantitative and qualitative analysis concepts, methods and processes
- Familiarity with partner engagement, consultation and related data collection methods through various mechanisms, including surveys, focus groups and social media
- Learning mindset: eager to learn, try new things, and experiment with and build on ideas while constantly looking to expand skill set
- Comfortable working in a dynamic environment
- Initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with colleagues in a confident, courteous and professional manner
- Relationship-building skills across health, municipal, justice and community sectors
- Demonstrated excellence in project and time management skills to meet deadlines and deliver results
Assets
- Experience working in or with governmental, non-governmental or international organizations
- Bilingual in English and French
Working Conditions
- Occasional high-intensity concentration
- Occasional exposure to psychologically challenging conditions, such as deadlines, interpersonal conflict or extended work hours for which no additional compensation is provided
- Ability to adapt and pivot attention to react to multiple demands and deliver detail-oriented work with regular interruptions
- Frequent communication with internal and external contacts
- Work performed in an office and/or from home (hybrid/remote as applicable) environment, with occasional on-site presence and extended hours during events
- Physical demands are minimal; no sustained physical exertion is required
Remote Work / Hybrid Work Model
CCSA work arrangements provide employees with flexibility, enable high-performing teams and support an excellent workplace culture. Most employees can work from home for a substantial part of each month as part of CCSAâs flex hybrid work model. Employees are expected to work on site or attend in-person activities a minimum of eight days per month to help build connections between colleagues and partners. For all positions, you must live in Canada. For this position, should you not live within reasonable commuting distance of the office, you will be able to work 100% remotely (within Canada) for the duration of the term of your employment agreement.
CCSA Values
CCSA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis people and all equity-deserving groups are fully represented, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities and people who are 2SLGBTQ+.
CCSA is dedicated to learning from and supporting people with lived or living experience of substance use and health. We encourage people with lived or living experience of substance use to apply to join the CCSA team.
CCSA promotes the rights of all people with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and its related Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. CCSA will make appropriate accommodations on request. Please inform CCSA in advance of a request for accommodation during the recruitment process by emailing [email protected].
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure
At CCSA, we are committed to maintaining a fair and equitable hiring process. We do not use AI to screen, assess or select applicants for any positions. While mandatory eligibility questions may be used to confirm minimum requirements, all applications are reviewed and all hiring decisions are made by our hiring team, ensuring that each candidate is thoughtfully and individually evaluated based on their overall qualifications and experience.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter and resumé. We thank all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
No agencies please.
