Lead, Indigenous Cancer Care Unit, Tobacco Wise

At Ontario Health, we are committed to developing a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province. Our vision is that together, we will be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences and value. How we work together is reflected through our five values: integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility and care.

What Ontario Health offers:

Achieving your career goals is a priority to us. Benefits of working at Ontario Health may include the following based on employment type:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage from your first day
• A health care spending account
• A premium defined benefit pension plan
• Three personal days and two float days annually
• Three weeks’ vacation to start (for individual contributors), increasing to four weeks after two years
• Career development opportunities
• A collaborative values-based team culture
• A wellness program
• A hybrid working model
• Participation in Communities of Inclusion

Want to make a difference in your career? Consider this opportunity.

This role requires travel and engagement with Indigenous communities across Southwestern Ontario. The successful candidate must have an understanding of the unique needs of these communities.

The Tobacco Wise Lead works as a member of the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit, situated in the Indigenous Tobacco Program. Reporting to the Manager of Engagement, this position is responsible for developing and implementing the components of the Indigenous Tobacco Program that fall under the direction of the Indigenous Cancer Strategy. The Tobacco Wise Lead assists in creating interventions to address cessation, prevention and protection of commercial tobacco, cannabis, vaping, as well as addressing other chronic diseases and modifiable risk factors. This position will advise on key issues to support the Director and Manager to advance policy and programmatic initiatives of the Indigenous Tobacco Program. In addition, the position will collaborate with staff in other Provincial Program Business Unit areas and Ontario Health Regions of Ontario Health as well as staff of Regional Cancer Programs. The Tobacco Wise Lead will also be responsible for relationship development with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples at the community, regional and provincial level as well as all other relevant stakeholder groups.

Here is what you will be doing:

• Plan, design and implement a commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection strategy that will support the advancement of the Indigenous Tobacco Program and Indigenous Cancer Strategy.
• Address the topic of chronic disease prevention and modifiable risk factors beyond commercial tobacco, where appropriate and community led.
• Engage and develop relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples in the development process of the strategy.
• Work in collaboration with Regional Cancer Programs to deliver commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection programming initiatives.
• Programming activities and initiatives to align and support existing First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous commercial tobacco strategies and programs.
• Support strategic planning activities of the Indigenous Cancer Strategy and other relevant initiatives/ strategies of Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health.
• Programming activities and initiatives to be evidence-based and informed by previous/current best practices in commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection.
• All strategic planning and programming initiatives will include relevant and effective dissemination strategies.
• Liaise and develop partnerships with Indigenous communities/organizations, health related programs and services, non-government organizations, Ontario Health Business Units, Ontario Health Regions and Regional Cancer Programs, other relevant stakeholders who can help address commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection.
• Identify First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous role models/leaders who can champion the promotion of commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection.
• Develop and/or represent Ontario Health on relevant committees both internal and external to Ontario Health.
• Develop age-appropriate commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping prevention and cessation activities for indigenous youth and promoting physical activity initiatives geared to youth.
• Provide expertise and assistance to regional networks/stakeholders and First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous partners on commercial tobacco interventions.
• Work in collaboration with the Measure, Monitor and Evaluation team to design, plan, track and implement evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection programs and other initiatives.
• Conduct focus groups and initiate commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping interventions with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities.
• Gather relevant data from communities in accordance with OCAP and other Indigenous data governance principles.
• Focus test commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping cessation, prevention and protection interventions to measure relevance and effectiveness before mass implementation.
• Incorporate First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into program designs and implementation.
• Leverage existing and/or develop evidence based commercial tobacco, cannabis and vaping educational resources/programs geared to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples.
• Address challenging issues with a diversity of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous populations.
• Encourage and promote teamwork to achieve community/group goals.
• Prepare analyses, briefings and presentations.
• Facilitate presentations/engagement with all relevant stakeholders in meetings, forums, seminars, and other venues.
• Develop, implement and support communication strategies.
• Develop and implement mass media campaigns.
• Create a positive working and communication network with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities and other stakeholder groups.
• Oversee and manage projects in support of the Indigenous Tobacco Program’s strategic priorities.
• Provide regular reports and program updates, when required.
• Look for and find ways to improve commercial tobacco cessation, prevention and protection interventions.
• Perform cross-functional and other duties consistent with the job classification, as assigned or requested.
• The Tobacco Wise Lead is expected to travel throughout Ontario to engage with stakeholders and Indigenous communities/organizations in accordance with the role expectations and responsibilities.

Here is what you will need to be successful:

Education and Experience:

• At a minimum, completion of a master’s degree in social sciences/planning, including health studies, Indigenous studies etc., and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or a recognized equivalent required; a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years equivalent work experience; or 10 years of experience in a similar capacity required.
• Extensive experience working with Indigenous communities and people.
• Experience in addressing Indigenous chronic disease issues would be an asset.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis history, culture and health/socio-economic issues/needs in Ontario, including governance structures and protocols.
• Knowledge of the federal and provincial government’s Indigenous policies and funding envelopes.
• Ability to speak/understand an Indigenous language would be an asset.
• Understanding of the traditional uses of tobacco.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Able to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills and ability to initiate sustainable solutions.
• The successful candidate to have a valid Class G driver's license with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm they have a valid driver’s license held in good standing.

Location: This role requires travel and engagement with Indigenous communities across Southwestern Ontario. The successful candidate must have an understanding of the unique needs of these communities. (currently hybrid; subject to change)

Employment Type: Permanent Full time

Contract Length: N/A

Salary Band: Band 6

External Application Deadline Date: November 21, 2024

All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.

Ontario Health encourages applications from candidates who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous; Francophone; members of Black and racialized groups; 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; trans and nonbinary individuals; and people living with disabilities.

Ontario Health is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.