Senior Specialist, Indigenous Mental Health

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 or wellness spending account

• a p remium 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

• c areer development opportunities

• a collaborative values-based team culture

• a wellness program

• a hybrid working model

• p articipation in Communities of Inclusion

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

A key member of the team that leads the design and implementation of the inaugural clinical and system strategies, plans, and policies for the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence. This specialist position contributes their growing subject matter knowledge, experience, and insight to improving the mental well-being of Ontarians through the conception, development and implementation of products and processes that primarily address the Centre's key business support functions which enable and inform the strategic directions of the organization.

This specialist role will work closely with the Lead, Indigenous Mental Health and Health Equity, and other members of the team to support the development and implementation of Ontario Health's Mental Health and Addictions First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous (FNIMuI) Strategies. This will involve working with a diverse group of internal and external partners to ensure that Indigenous people in Ontario have access to equitable and culturally safe and appropriate mental health and addictions programs and services. The specialist will support building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, better coordination of Indigenous mental health work across Ontario Health and the Regions, and the development of provincial and regional policies, projects, and strategies with and for FNIMuI clients and communities in Ontario.

Please note that there are 2 vacancies for this role: (1) Temporary Fixed-Term (12 months) and (1) Permanent Full-Time

Here is what you will be doing:

• Planning and facilitating projects to develop quality improvement strategies and foster MHA COE initiatives. This includes working closely with clinical experts, conducting needs assessments and surveys, performing literature reviews and environmental scans, developing education and evaluation tools, and contributing to presentations and publications relating to the projects. Supporting the development and implementation of the CoE's mental health strategies in alignment with the development of Ontario Health's Indigenous Health Strategy, while ensuring the Indigenous partners have an ongoing and sustainable voice in the delivery of mental health and addictions services.

• Working closely with the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination team in the development and coordination of provincial and regional Indigenous partnerships and initiatives. Engaging the Indigenous Cancer Control Unit, , Ontario Health Regions and their respective Indigenous Teams and/or Leads when appropriate.

• Supporting all aspects of project management such as identifying and effectively communicating with relevant stakeholders, managing project documentation, driving agendas, and providing input in a collaborative setting to develop and implement strategies to foster quality improvement.

• Supporting meetings including but not limited to conducting research for meetings, developing reports and presentations, coordinating logistics, corresponding with meeting participants, leading meetings and/or participating in meetings as recorder when required.

• Developing subject matter expertise in clinical and/or health system areas of interest.

• Providing expert strategic advice across multiple areas of business and developing comprehensive clinical and/or health system plans and policies.

• Working with various stakeholders (subject matter experts, providers, administrators, professional bodies) and working groups to achieve consensus.

• Engaging directly with and working collaboratively with FNIMuI organizations and communities to establish relationships that are based on respect and mutual trust.

• Supporting and informing engagement between the MHA CoE and FNIMuI organizations and communities. This includes ensuring business units are properly prepared to meet with FNIMuI partners and have direction on culturally appropriate protocols for engagement.

• Monitoring evidence and conducting jurisdictional scans to understand best practices. Conduct systematic literature reviews.

• Identifying, resolving, and escalating, as required, issues and risks in a timely manner.

• Commitment and willingness to be a team player, support colleagues and ensure program goals are accomplished.

• Creating, building, and maintaining strong respectful relationships with stakeholders, staff, and senior leadership.

• Demonstrating and maintaining a positive and creative influence in keeping project momentum moving forward.

• Fostering understanding and application of plans and policies across the MHA sector.

• Support the development, implementation, and optimization of internal business processes.

Here is what you will need to be successful:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree preferred or Undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline (clinical epidemiology, health services research, business/health administration, sciences or social sciences) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 5 years of overall working experience, with a minimum of 2 years recent experience working within the healthcare sector.

• Experience working with FNIMuI communities and peoples and/or lived experience with FNIMuI communities in Ontario.

• Experience in addressing FNIMuI chronic disease issues would be an assetAbility and understanding to incorporate Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into program designs and implementation with and for Indigenous people.

• Experience working with small to medium-scale strategic projects preferably related to the mental health and addictions field.

• Demonstrated successful project management and change management experience.

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis including systematic literature reviews.

• Experience partnering with internal and external stakeholders to advance the quality agendas.

• Experience organizing and coordinating small and large meetings for various stakeholders.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the federal and provincial government departments responsible for FNIMuI 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.

• Understanding of and adherence to FNIMuI data governance principles in relation to communication of data findings

• Knowledge of Communities of Practice (clinical) concept, performance, evaluation, indicator development, and/or performance measurement.

• Knowledge of the Ontario health and social services system, project management, best practices in quality improvement and performance management are preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work, both as a member of a team and independently, using sound judgment.

• Considered a trusted colleague and an essential resource in your key areas of accountability for internal team members, external stakeholders, and partners.

• Highly motivated, results-oriented, team player.

• Excellent interpersonal, decision-making and facilitation skills.

• Eagerness to learn about and partner with all regions and departments within the organization to advance the Project objectives.

• Knowledge of quality indicator development and reporting

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (e.g. Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint).

• Strong ability to analyze and interpret complex information to deliver a solution that meets the program needs.

• Excellent communication (written and oral) including developing policies, broad communications, knowledge transfer tools and project materials.

• Ability to effectively liaise and work with all positions in the organization.

• Proven ability to develop relationships with key stakeholders to establish trust, credibility, and respect.

• Enjoy working as part of a team in fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Consults with numerous teams, portfolios, and stakeholders to examine problems and find innovative solutions to non-routine problems where information and precedence are not readily available.

• Identifies trends and make suggestions for positive change in response to problematic trends.

• Must be able to understand the needs of diverse stakeholders to develop effective solutions and assess impact of recommendations for change.

• Preference given to individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis or have other Indigenous ancestry.

Location: Toronto, Ontario (currently hybrid; subject to change)

Please note that there are 2 vacancies for this role: (1) Temporary Fixed-Term (12 months) and (1) Permanent Full-Time

Employment Type:

Contract Length:

Salary Band:

External Application Deadline Date:

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. To receive a copy of this job posting in French, please contact us at . Your request will be responded to within three business days and will not impact your ability to apply for this role.

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 email and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.