The Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) is looking to increase its
staff capacity. A hard look at the organization’s past activities, its
strategic plan, and feedback received from various stakeholders across
Canada all speak to a need and desire for CPRC to play a larger role in
Canada’s poultry research effort.
The Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) is looking to increase its staff capacity. A hard look at the organization’s past activities, its strategic plan, and feedback received from various stakeholders across Canada all speak to a need and desire for CPRC to play a larger role in Canada’s poultry research effort. It is clear that this research effort could be made more efficient by increasing collaboration among all players; industry, government and academics must work together towards poultry research programs that address current and emerging needs while making the most of available resources. To that end, CPRC has taken on the responsibility of developing, in consultation with stakeholders across the country, a science strategy for Canada’s poultry sector. To date, CPRC activities have been undertaken by part-time staff with the help of consultants. Expanding CPRC’s role will require an increase in staff capacity.
A full-time Executive Director
CPRC has approved a plan to hire a fulltime Executive Director (ED). Reporting to the CPRC Board of Directors, the ED will be based in Ottawa and will be responsible for the operations and finances of CPRC. The successful candidate will be someone with experience in and/or familiarity with the poultry industry and who has demonstrated effectiveness in lobbying, communicating with industry and government, raising funds for research, and business development. An ability to communicate in both English and French will be considered a strong asset during the selection process. A BSc or higher level of education and at least five years related experience are preferred.
Advocacy and lobbying
Major activities of the position include advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the Canadian poultry industry. It is crucial that industry stakeholders and government offices alike recognize that investment in poultry research will help secure the future prosperity of the Canadian poultry sector. The ED will be tasked with getting this message out and will oversee development of a formal business case for investment in Canadian poultry research.
Developing partnerships
A full-time presence in Ottawa will put CPRC in a better position to understand and anticipate opportunities to partner with the federal government in support of poultry research. Relaying this information to would-be funders of poultry research will be key to developing fruitful partnerships with these organizations. The ED will help build these relationships and, where appropriate, bring organizations into the fold of national research programs.
Communicating results of research
The ED will be responsible for ensuring that research supported by CPRC is completed on time and within budget. S/he will also be responsible for ensuring the results from that research are used to maximum effect. Results applicable to industry, for instance, will be shared with those that can make use of them. A communication network will be developed among organizations across the country to ensure appropriate knowledge transfer occurs. This network will include mechanisms to allow collaboration among researchers and extension professionals to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and maximize the impact of funds. The ED will develop a mechanism to liaise nationally and internationally with these individuals to build industry-related networks.
Under its new structure, CPRC will develop a public, searchable database for poultry research. This database will provide easy access to information on poultry-related research programs across Canada, the people performing that research, and the institutions in which they work.
CPRC will also continue to host workshops and symposia designed to share the results of ongoing poultry research in Canada and foster relationships that will support the research programs of the future.
For a full job description or more details on any CPRC activities, please contact Gord Speksnijder at The Canadian Poultry Research Council, 483 Arkell Road, R.R. #2, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6H8, phone: (289) 251-2990, fax: (519) 837-3584, email: info@cp-rc.ca, or visit us at www.cp-rc.ca .
The membership of the CPRC consists of the Chicken Farmers of Canada, the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, the Turkey Farmers of Canada, the Egg Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors’ Council. CPRC’s mission is to address its members’ needs through dynamic leadership in the creation and implementation of programs for poultry research in Canada, which may also include societal concerns.
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