SCOPE / PURPOSE OF JOB:
This role will lead the design, implementation and scale-up of community-based patient navigation under the National Patient Navigation Programme (NORA).
The position focuses on strengthening access to early detection and timely cancer care, particularly for underserved populations, through coordinated community and health system approaches.
The successful candidate will be responsible for translating programme strategy into operational models that are scalable, data-driven and aligned with Ministry of Health priorities. This includes integrating community outreach, patient navigation workflows, and digital platforms to improve efficiency, visibility and outcomes.
This is a leadership role that requires both strategic thinking and strong execution capability across complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The role requires comfort working in evolving environments where structures are still being defined, and the ability to shape direction while delivering outcomes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategy and Programme Development
- Lead the design and refinement of community and health systems navigation models aligned with NORA objectives
- Translate strategic priorities into operational plans with clear milestones and measurable outcomes
- Identify opportunities to strengthen early detection, referral pathways and continuity of care
2. Implementation and Scale
- Oversee implementation of community outreach and navigation activities across multiple sites
- Ensure models are adaptable across different states, populations and health system contexts
- Develop approaches that support national scalability beyond pilot settings
3. Data, Evaluation and Implementation Science
- Establish effective frameworks to monitor programme performance, including timeliness, adherence and patient outcomes
- Use data to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision making
- Contribute to evaluation and evidence generation to support policy and scale-up
4. Digital Integration
- Work with internal digital health teams and external vendors to integrate digital navigation tools into workflows
- Ensure alignment between community processes and digital systems for tracking, reporting and decision support
- Support adoption and usability of digital platforms among navigators and stakeholders
5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with Ministry of Health, hospitals, community organisations and donors
- Align programme activities with national health priorities and policies
- Represent CRMY in external engagements related to navigation and community outreach
6. Team Leadership and Capacity Building
- Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team including programme staff and community partners
- Strengthen capability in implementation, data use and programme delivery
- Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture
7. Resource and Financial Oversight
- Manage programme budgets and ensure efficient use of resources
- Contribute to grant development and sustainability planning
- Align programme priorities with available funding and future opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- Degree in public health, behavioural science, implementation science or a related field. Postgraduate qualification is preferred
- At least 7 to 10 years of experience in programme design and implementation, preferably in health systems or community-based programmes
- Experience working with government, healthcare providers and community stakeholders in Malaysia
- Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate concepts into operational models
- Experience in evaluation, data-driven decision making or implementation research
- Ability to work across disciplines including clinical, community and digital teams
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities
About the Company
Cancer Research Malaysia
We are an independent and non-profit cancer research organisation based in Malaysia. Funded by donations and research grants, we conduct research in niche cancers often found in our Asian population.
Cancer — the big ‘C’ — continues to be a stigma, only spoken about in hushed whispers; how it’s bad karma, how much it costs, and that nothing could be done.
Confronting this stigma head on, CRM has been reversing this language of cancer, transforming the big ‘C’ to a little ‘c’, and we plan to develop tools backed by good research to ensure that we can truly fight cancer on all fronts.
We believe that we will reverse the grip of cancer in our lives. We want researchers to win the war against cancer by turning it around with new ways of prevention and cure. We want to empower the public through impactful outreach programmes, with the hopes that Malaysians will respond differently to cancer by coming forward for screenings and going through with treatments.
Our driving force is held together by these goals:
- Improving the survival rates of Asian cancer patients, focusing on neglected areas of research.
- Empowering Asians to have the proper screening and treatment.
- Improving survival rates by being more accessible, focusing on providing existing cures to patients rather than sit on inaction and potentially losing lives.
- Making affordable and timely treatments by repurposing drugs, acknowledging the reality that developing new cures are costly and risky.
- Putting Malaysia in the global spotlight for cancer research by collaborating with top scientists around the world,and working to nurture the next generation of Malaysian cancer researchers.