Program Specialist, Analytical Data Management

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI); Toronto, Ottawa; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CIHI is seeking a Program Specialist to provide subject-matter expertise, project coordination, and program support to advance data governance, data access, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery.

The role develops and maintains frameworks, tools and processes, prepares briefing materials, and supports documentation. You will engage with internal teams and external partners to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables aligned with CIHI priorities.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, Health Information, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Information Science, Business or related field, or equivalent.
• 3–5 years in health care or related sectors with project coordination and program support experience.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and subject-matter experts to support activities and deliverables.
• Experience in data governance, data access processes, and related policies or procedures.
• Proficiency with reporting, visualization, and collaboration tools; familiarity with ServiceNow or similar platforms is an asset.
• Public sector or health system context experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and monitor projects and deliverables, including workplans, timelines, and status updates.
• Conduct research, environmental scans and literature reviews; synthesize findings into summaries.
• Respond to stakeholder information requests and support dissemination and onboarding activities.
• Support engagement activities, including meetings, consultations, and workshops; prepare materials.
• Maintain relationships with internal teams, external partners, and subject-matter experts; ensure alignment.
• Coordinate reviews, manage feedback, approvals, version control and documentation.
• Draft reports, briefing notes, presentations and training materials.
• Improve processes, tools, SOPs, templates and records management practices.
• Support data-related processes and workflows, including data intake, validation and release.
• Collaborate with IT teams to support data systems, maintenance and issue resolution.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Microsoft 365

SharePoint/OneDrive

Privacy and security awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences or related field

Tools

ServiceNow

Varonis

SharePoint/OneDrive

Microsoft 365 suite

Job description

The Program Specialist provides subject-matter expertise, project coordination, and program support, including analytical input if needed, to advance organizational priorities related to data governance and data access, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery. Working in a collaborative, matrix environment, the role contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of program activities, frameworks, tools, and processes that support departmental and organizational initiatives.

The Program Specialist prepares presentations, reports, and briefing materials, while supporting documentation and dissemination of products and materials. This may involve supporting data access processes and tools, related governance documentation, user support and troubleshooting, and other data governance initiatives, including metadata management. The role helps plan and implement engagement strategies, contributes to the integration of initiatives across teams, and ensures deliverables are completed on time and to a high standard. Through these activities, the Program Specialist supports appropriate data access, improved data and understanding and usability, , and alignment with organizational goals, while fostering continuous improvement and effective stakeholder participation.

What you'll do

1. Plan, coordinate and monitor projects and deliverables (e.g., workplans, timelines, status reporting, risks, budgets as applicable).


2. Conduct research, environmental scans, literature reviews and synthesize findings into summaries and recommendations.


3. Respond to stakeholder or client information requests and support dissemination and onboarding activities.


4. Support stakeholder engagement activities, including coordinating meetings, consultations, education and workshops; prepare materials and track outcomes.


5. Build and maintain effective relationships with internal teams, external partners, vendors and subject matter experts; act as a liaison to support alignment and information sharing.


6. Coordinate review cycles and manage feedback, approvals, version control and documentation.


7. Draft and contribute to reports, briefing notes, presentations, training materials and other communications.


8. Maintain and improve processes, tools, SOPs, templates and records management practices.


9. Develop and maintain knowledge of stakeholder priorities, program objectives, and relevant practices.


10. Support data-related processes and workflows, including data intake, validation, documentation, and release activities.


11. Support the development, testing, quality assurance, maintenance, and delivery of data systems and data products (e.g., datasets, reports, dashboards), including preparation of metadata and supporting documentation.


12. Collaborate with information technology teams to support implementation, maintenance, and issue resolution activities related to data systems.


13. Coordinate data quality and validation activities, including issue tracking and resolution.


14. Contribute to documentation of data processes, systems, and workflows, and support implementation of process or system improvements.

What you'll bring to the table

• Undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, Health Information, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Information Science, Business or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.


• 3-5 years of relevant experience in health care or related sectors, with strong accountability, project coordination, program delivery, and program support skills.


• Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders and subject-matter experts to support project activities and deliverables.


• Experience in the subject matter relevant to the position with the ability to provide expertise within CIHI.


• Experience coordinating strategic projects, including elements of planning, facilitation, and execution.


• Experience preparing briefing notes, presentations and dissemination materials for varied audiences.


• Experience supporting data governance or information management initiatives, particularly data access and authorization processes and related policies, procedures or user guidance.


• Experience with reporting, visualization, workflow, or collaboration tools, such as ServiceNow or a similar service-management platform, is an asset.


• Experience supporting data-related processes, product releases, systems, user testing and/ or education and training activities.


• Experience working in a public sector or health system context.


• Strong research, problem-solving and information synthesis skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Proven organizational and project coordination skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.


• Collaborative and client-focused, with the ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional, matrixed teams.


• Proactive, with sound judgment and a continuous improvement mindset.


• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), SharePoint/OneDrive, and project management tools.


• Knowledge of privacy and security requirements related to data access, and familiarity with permissions management, access review and audit tools; experience with Varonis is an asset.


• Familiarity with data systems, data workflows, and quality concepts.


• Understanding of health systems and the use of data and information to support policy, planning, management and evaluation.

Additional Requirements

• Primary locations: Toronto or Ottawa.


• Must comply with all CIHI workplace policies, including privacy and confidentiality.


• Fluency in English is required; bilingualism in both official languages is an asset.

At CIHI we are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. Part of this commitment includes arranging accommodations to ensure an equitable opportunity to participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.