2024 Call for Members of the IWH Board of Directors

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization. Our mission is to conduct and mobilize research that supports policy-makers, employers and workers in creating healthy, safe and inclusive work environments.

IWH is now accepting applications from skilled and qualified leaders who are interested in sitting as members of the IWH Board of Directors.

Role of the Board

The IWH Board of Directors is a governance Board. It provides stewardship of IWH by establishing governance and risk management strategies to ensure delivery on the mission and strategic directions of IWH in a manner consistent with its values. The Board delegates responsibility for general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of IWH to the President. 

The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:

• Strategic direction of the organization;
• Financial stewardship;
• Human resources stewardship;
• Risk management;
• Interrelationships with communities served;
• Critical item management;
• Good governance 
• Championing the mission and work of the IWH. 

Required expertise of Board members

We are looking for Board members who: 

• Understand the mandate of IWH and are committed to its vision, mission and core values; 
• Understand the governance role, and the obligations and responsibilities of a Board director; 
• Will contribute to the strategic development of the organization;
• Will work as a member of a team and respect the views of others;
• Will devote the time and energy necessary to complete the Board duties required; and
• Are enthusiastic about, and are able to resolve, challenging issues.

For the current call for Board members we are prioritizing applicants who have the following skills and expertise:

• Governance in non-governmental and/or academic research organizations.
• Research stewardship and knowledge transfer and exchange of research products.
• Brand leadership and marketing.

In addition, applicants with skills and expertise in any of the following areas will also be considered: 

• Familiarity with labour market, occupational health and safety, employment standards, workers’ compensation, and/or work-related rehabilitation issues and trends, including the personal, social and economic consequences of work-relevant injury, illness and disability.
• Legal basis for occupational health and safety, employment standards and workers’ compensation.
• Public policy expertise and policy liaison experience.
• Financial oversight.
• Risk management and performance measurement expertise.
• Strategy development and performance measurement.
• Human resources management.
• Technology including cybersecurity.

We welcome applications from qualified individuals from across Canada. 

IWH is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values and promotes diversity. IWH encourages expressions of interest from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S+ persons, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas among the Board.

Board terms are for three (3) years, with a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms. All terms take effect at the end of the Annual General Meeting in September, at which members are elected.

Board meetings are held quarterly—in-person or by video conference calls. Board members are expected to contribute to committee work (typically also held quarterly), and other meetings as required. 

Application details

If you are interested in becoming a member of the IWH Board of Directors, please complete the online application form at the link below. Applications will be accepted until April 14, 2024, or until the number of qualified new Board members are found. Qualified candidates will be shortlisted and have the opportunity to meet with a selection committee to explore their fit for this position. 

The following materials are required to complete the form: 

• Contact information.
• Statement of interest.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) in PDF format.
• Self-assessment of competencies.

For more information, please contact the Board’s recording secretary, Lyudmila Mansurova, at lmansurova@iwh.on.ca. 

Go to application form

If you require accommodations to apply for a Board position, please contact Derek Wills at dwills@iwh.on.ca or (416) 927-2027, ext. 2115 to discuss your needs.

We thank all those expressing their interest, but only those considered potentially suitable to sit as Board members will be contacted.

About IWH

IWH, guided by a Board of Directors and an international Scientific Advisory Committee, conducts research that examines primary prevention and interventions in the workplace; effective and efficient rehabilitation and safe, timely return to work for people with work-related injury and illness; labour market experiences and their health consequences; and disability compensation systems and their behavioural consequences. IWH supports an active knowledge transfer and exchange program, which implements interactive strategies to transfer research findings to key decision-makers. IWH also trains and mentors the next generation of work and health researchers.

IWH is committed to excellent working conditions, a cooperative team environment for its employees, and transparent, diverse and fair recruiting practices of staff and trainees.

IWH operates with the support of the Government of Ontario.