Lead

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

The Ontario Palliative Care Network (OPCN) is an organized partnership of community stakeholders, health service providers and health systems planners. Together, the OPCN develops a coordinated, standardized approach to high-quality, sustainable and person-centred hospice palliative care for all Ontarians, regardless of age or disease type. The OPCN Secretariat, housed at Ontario Health, executes the mandate of the OPCN, and supports the operational and tactical activities of the OPCN. The First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous Lead will contribute to our work by providing substantial expertise, advice and leadership that will strengthen relationships with the provincial, regional, and community Indigenous groups to ensure that unique Indigenous needs related to palliative care are reflected in the OPCN work. The Lead’s work will be guided by the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination team and its approaches to Indigenous partnership and engagement.

Here is what you will be doing:

- Establish and maintain positive relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous health tables/groups/leaders in defining if and how they would like to be involved with OPCN.
- Engage with key network stakeholders, including Regional Palliative Care Networks’ leaders, Ontario Health Regional leadership and teams, Ontario Health Teams, the Indigenous Cancer Control Unit and the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination team, along with Indigenous leadership and communities at the provincial and regional level to:

- Understand and track what each region is doing in terms of engaging First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities.
- Understand and track what priorities they have identified for their unique, region-specific populations.
- Engage with stakeholders and develop an appropriate engagement strategy.
- Share knowledge and insights gained throughout the different engagement.
- Ensure that work with Indigenous communities and partners is consistent with the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination team’s approach to Indigenous partnership and engagement.
- Working with the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination team, will function as a key relationship holder with both internal and external OH stakeholders; establish and maintain nuanced and unique relationships within the regions and Indigenous communities through Indigenous partners, hospitals throughout the province, etc.- Support other OPCN and Ontario Health members in engaging with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous partners, including ensuring they have direction on culturally appropriate protocols for engagement.
- Engage with appropriate stakeholders/branches/groups within the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care to see how and when their First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous work/initiatives can be jointly leveraged.
- Coordinate activities & develop all supporting material pursuant to the engagement plan.
- Support other OPCN work as required.
- Develop work plans and timelines with critical milestones identified and produce status reports and communicate those milestones to OPCN leadership.
- Participate in and present to OPCN Leadership, OPCN Advisory Council, and various other stakeholder meetings as necessary.

Here is what you will need to be successful:
Education and Experience
- Five to seven years of relevant experience working with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous populations at the local and/or systems level, ideally in leading and managing health care projects and/or programs.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and peoples and/or lived experience with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or urban Indigenous communities in Ontario is required
- A Master’s degree relevant to the role is required (e.g. Indigenous Studies, Public Health, Public Administration).
- Experience in working in a palliative care setting or working with issues related to palliative care, life limiting illness and/or serious illnesses would be an asset.

Knowledge and Skills
- Proven ability to develop culturally appropriate relationships with key stakeholders to establish trust, credibility, and respect; including engaging with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous partners at the systems level, from across the province.
- Strong understanding of the social determinants of health and health equity
- Extensive knowledge of the federal and provincial government departments responsible for Indigenous issues and Ontario’s provincial healthcare system
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis history, culture and health/socio-economic issues/needs in Ontario, including governance structures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with senior management, Indigenous communities, and external healthcare organizations, requiring exceptional writing and