Program Manager, Indigenous Health

Program Manager

Indigenous Health

Vancouver, BC

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. We invite applicants to self-identify within their cover letter and/or resume.

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. 

Reporting to a Director, Indigenous Health, the Program Manager is responsible for the management and oversight of strategic programs and related projects under Indigenous Health’s (IH) provincial mandate relating to the broad areas of transformation, quality improvement and evaluation. The Program Manager is responsible for the identification, planning, development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of key programs and related projects. The Program Manager works collaboratively with a variety of internal and external partners and stakeholders in support of the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic anti-Indigenous racism research, policy, and knowledge exchange programs and related projects. Given the complexity of the system level changes expected through the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic programs and related projects, the Program Manager applies a solid base of leadership and management knowledge and skills to enable best practice, performance improvement, and system integration to ensure alignment with Indigenous Health programs and PHSA vision, mandate, and strategic directions.

What you’ll do

• In collaboration with Indigenous Health (IH) directors and leadership, and with support from the IH team as applicable, provide leadership and manage the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs in support of strategic Indigenous Health initiatives, programs, and projects. Manage a diversity of programs/related projects of varying scope in a complex and changing multidisciplinary environment and with a diversity of partners/stakeholders. Maintain responsibility for ensuring that programs and projects are completed in adherence to project protocols/ charters/ agreements, timelines, applicable institutional and ethical policies and procedures, and pertinent legislation. 
  
• Manage the identification, collection and analysis of relevant information/evidence relating to current programs and related projects, and synthesize findings in order to effectively integrate these into the development, implementation, analysis, dissemination of findings, and policy/practice implications of strategic programs and initiatives.
  
• Develop, coordinate and/or oversee coordination of proposals, budgets, and workplans for proposed programs and related projects, ensuring that resources will meet program/project objectives and high quality deliverables; prepare mid-term and final reports.
  
• Lead and/or coordinate strategic program teams, related working groups, and advisory committees to achieve targeted goals/objectives of strategic programs and related projects, and to build and strengthen relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
  
• Improve quality and effectiveness of IH team processes by formulating and implementing team-based recommendations.
  
• Collaborate to conduct research in support of Indigenous Health’s provincial mandate.

What you bring

Qualifications

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. We invite applicants to self-identify within their cover letter and/or resume.        

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Health Administration, Social Justice, Transformative Organizational Change or a related field, and five (5) years of recent experience in program management, facilitating and managing consultation processes with a wide range of stakeholder groups, planning, or program development in healthcare or social services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes significant understanding of Indigenous-specific mandates and a commitment to addressing and mitigating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. The role involves actively embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into daily practices and fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment. Additionally, it requires practical expertise in engaging with diversity, promoting equity, and advancing inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments relevant to Indigenous Health, based on foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the BC Human Rights Code. This includes understanding how these obligations intersect across the healthcare system and applying this knowledge to support team compliance and operational effectiveness.

Core Competencies

• Possesses a strong understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism within the colonial health care structure. Demonstrates practical leadership in identifying and addressing barriers, promoting an environment of belonging, and ensuring Indigenous Cultural Safety. Actively engages in action-oriented practices to address Indigenous-specific racism and dismantle systems of oppression, while also confronting broader issues of racism and discrimination. Exhibits strong DEI and anti-racism skills to lead by example, fostering a culture of continuous learning, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their team.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Canadian and Indigenous ideologies. Demonstrated extensive knowledge of health issues, and especially the determinants of health, legislation and public policy affecting Indigenous people.  Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is required. Lived experience with Indigenous populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia is an asset. Experience or working knowledge of health systems and policy, organizational change, anti-Indigenous racism, resistance to change, population health, illness prevention, health promotion, knowledge exchange and change management. Exceptional business writing and editorial abilities. Strong technical abilities to create and manage complex document filing, indexing and retrieval systems. Strong project management skills, including ability to engage and manage stakeholders in a respectful, tactful and effective manner. Ability to act effectively as a change agent for the introduction and implementation of innovative and creative ideas, tools, templates and processes. Sound judgment, tact and diplomacy including demonstrating effective negotiation/mediation skills and/or the application of effective conflict negotiation/resolution skills to build consensus among groups. Excellent time management skills to prioritize and complete assignments and schedule activities.  Proven excellent oral and written communication skills with a broad range of stakeholders, coupled with an ability to function at a high level in a complex and changing interdisciplinary healthcare environment. Strong skills in literature searches/reviews, data management/analysis, presentation, as well as with project management applications and other business software programs, including MS Office and enterprise resource planning applications.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning/unlearning journey in relation to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others enhancing a culture of learning/unlearning and self-reflection.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Salary Range: $108,147 - $155,461 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 1333 West Broadway, Vancouver BC, V6H 1G9
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 08:00 - 16:00
Requisition #: 205334E

What we do

PHSA’s Indigenous Health program aims to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous people, and to close the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous British Columbians

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and Indigenous Health Program are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on October 15, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.