Communications Officer

**_Data. Discovery. Better Health._**

**_ ICES is a world-leading _**_health research and analytics institute. With a wealth of data and analytic expertise, we create trusted evidence that has changed health policy and practice and helps ensure better health for all._**

**_ Ready to discover more with us? Join our outstanding, collaborative team where your skills, knowledge and curiosity are valued and can change the future of health care._**

**At ICES, we recognize what matters most to our employees. Some of the great benefits of working at ICES include**:

- Flexible remote work arrangements anywhere in Ontario
- Competitive Compensation
- Comprehensive Benefits Program
- HOOPP Pension Plan (Defined Pension)
- Employee Assistance Program and Dialogue Well Being Program
- Generous vacation, float and caregiver days for all employees
- Education Fund and Dedicated Education Days
- Holiday Closure
- Perkopolis Employee Discount Program

**Introduction**:
Acting as a resource to internal and external partners, the Communications Officer will help ensure that information is transferred and exchanged in a way that meets the needs of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous partners.

**Responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to**:

- Support the development of a WAHA KTE-specific communications strategy by acting as an integral member of the ICES and WAHA Minomathasowin public health team, providing input towards all communications initiatives;
- Work closely with the various members of the Indigenous Portfolio team to creating knowledge products for Indigenous Communities and organizations.
- Work with the ICES and WAHA public health team media advisor and communications director to develop and review James and Hudson Bay community manuscripts and reports slated for publication; identify and recommend those that would be best suited for additional KTE efforts;
- In collaboration with the WAHA Minomathasowin public health team, tactically develop and support KTE campaigns for targeted James and Hudson Bay manuscripts and reports and lead the production and dissemination of various products to be used in those campaigns, including videos, infographics, briefing notes, research summaries and other promotional materials for dissemination to different audiences;
- Maintaining connections with project team members and collaborators from the WAHA and ICES side;
- Develop and maintain KTE products, ensuring that public facing materials are developed to promote public health/COVID-19 messaging in alignment with WAHA public health & communications parameters, and to be aligned with current public health and COVID-19 trends within the WAHA region, provincially, nationally and internationally;
- With guidance from WAHA, ensuring that distributed public health content is reflective of the overall vision for WAHA Communications and Public Health, and health promotion within all-encompassing Cree culture, worldviews and epistemologies;
- Identify relevant external parties for KTE campaigns, build and sustain positive and mutually supportive relationships, and anticipate and respond to their needs;
- Support education and consultation to facilitate KTE, grow the KTE program to meet the needs of James and Hudson Bay Region, build relationships internally and externally, and engage in knowledge sharing activities at the organizational, system, provincial and national levels;
- Compile and maintain inventories of knowledge translation/evidence-informed best practice literature tools, resources and capacity building materials that are applicable to the Indigenous population;
- Work collaboratively with ICES scientists to optimize messaging for KTE deliverables and to ensure broad outreach to relevant partners and other parties;
- Evaluate KTE programs and vehicles on an ongoing basis; revise and refine efforts to ensure maximum effectiveness and impact;
- Work collaboratively with ICES and WAHA Minomathasowin public health team members
- Bring ingenuity and creativity to the broader communications department at ICES and WAHA, including the development and implementation of new ideas, products, initiatives and processes that support Communities.
- Other duties as may be assigned within the scope of this position.

**Knowledge, skills and abilities required**:

- Certificate or diploma in Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or related field;
- Knowledge of Indigenous models of health service delivery and a willingness to learn about Indigenous data governance;
- Knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies, approaches and ethical requirements such as OCAP;
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and/or Northern isolated communities;
- Three or more years of directly related communications experience; healthcare sector or research sector experience is an asset;
- Demonstrated experience with designing and implementing KTE initiatives
- Ability to research, analyze,