Public Health Ontario Ethics Review Board Chair

Toronto-
661 University Part time

JR101705
Ethics Review Board Chair
Location: Toronto-661 University
Department: Research and Ethics Services

The Role:
The Public Health Ontario (PHO) Ethics Review Board (ERB) assesses the ethical acceptability of public health research and other evidence-generating initiatives (e.g., evaluation) involving human participants that are carried out under the auspices of PHO and other eligible organizations, such as Ontario’s public health units. The Chair of the ERB has the ultimate responsibility for assuring that the ERB operates in full accordance with federal regulatory requirements and guidelines governing ethics review. Support for ERB functions, including administration of all ethics review processes, as well as educational support for ERB members and researchers, is provided by the Research and Ethics Services team, and the Director, Research and Ethics Services. The ERB Chair is appointed for a term of three years, renewable once.

Key Responsibilities:

– Provides leadership to ensure that all policies, standards and operating procedures are consistently applied in the ERB review and approval process.
– Chairs monthly ERB meetings.
– Assists ERB members in identifying potential conflicts-of-interest and ensures that those conflicts are appropriately managed.
– Assists in determining the appropriateness of projects for ERB review in consideration of the ERB mandate, and assigning submitted projects to full or delegated ERB review.
– Holds the final responsibility for all delegated and full board decisions related to initial and ongoing review and approval of projects overseen by the ERB.
– Assists Research and Ethics Services with initial and ongoing review and approval of lower-risk projects overseen on behalf of the ERB.
– Ensures timeliness of project reviews and communications with applicants, while maintaining appropriate standards of quality and integrity.
– Works with Research and Ethics Services in establishing and updating PHO ERB policies and standards, and in the establishment of quality improvement mechanisms for the ERB.
– Represents the ERB in its interactions with applicants and investigators, as necessary. Fosters collaborative relationships and effective communication with ERB stakeholders and manages disputes.
– Serves as a resource for ERB members and staff/investigators. Provides leadership and guidance in identifying opportunities for ongoing development and education of ERB members and staff/investigators.
– Appoints and orients new ERB members to the review of ethics applications/submissions, and the workings of the board.
– Recommends renewal of ERB members based on an assessment of a member’s contribution over the course of the term and the current and future needs of the ERB. Recommends removal of ERB members who fail to meet the terms of membership.
– While respecting the integrity, confidentiality and independence of the ethics review process, communicates to the ERB and/or appropriate institutional representatives and/or PHO Board of Directors, any matter that may be of concern to the responsible conduct of research.
– Keeps current on applicable research ethics literature as well as applicable regulations, guidelines and policies governing ERB functions.
– Contributes to reports on ERB activities to PHO Board of Directors and other stakeholders as required to support PHO objectives regarding accountability, transparency and promotion of its research program.

Knowledge and Skills:
– Expertise in the design and conduct of research and, or evaluation, including experience as an investigator.
– Knowledge of public health research, practice, ethics, and policy.
– Significant knowledge of research ethics literature and debates, and relevant provincial, national and international guidelines, regulations, and policies.
– Willingness to learn and continuously update knowledge and skills. The ability to prioritize and manage workloads in a timely manner.
– The ability to positively represent PHO ERB at local, regional, national and international levels.

Education and Experience:
Graduate degree in Bioethics, Public Health, Health Services or a related discipline. At least three years’ experience as a member of a Research Ethics Board (REB).
Experience with chairing committees (REB experience preferred).

Duration: Contract (Fixed Term), 36 month(s)
Hours of Work: Part time, 7.25 hours per week
Compensation Group: Senior Leadership
Posting Date: 04-8-2025
Closing Date: 04-23-2025

Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.

Apply HERE: Careers