Lead, Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination

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

Health care spending account

Premium defined benefit pension plan

3 personal days and 2 float days annually

Individual contributors start at 3 weeks’ vacation, and 4 weeks at 2 yrs. 

Career development opportunities

A collaborative values-based team culture

Wellness programs 

A hybrid working model

Participation in

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

The Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination (IHEC) unit enables Ontario Health to fulfill its commitment to partner to advance Indigenous health equity – a central pillar of Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Framework. This team sits within the Provincial Equity and Indigenous Health portfolio. The IHEC unit is dedicated to building strong relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous leadership, organizations and communities – founded on respect, partnerships and open communication. IHEC is also dedicated to coordinating Indigenous-focused work across Ontario Health. This approach is critical to ensure that Ontario’s healthcare system reflects and addresses the needs of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples.

Reporting to the Manager of Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination, the Lead role will be responsible for internal engagement with Ontario Health portfolios, business units and Ontario Health Regions, and external support the external engagement team as needed in with engaging with governments, health service providers and agencies, not for profit organizations, etc. The Lead will also provide expertise, advice and leadership to a diverse group of internal and external partners to ensure that First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples in Ontario have access to equitable and culturally relevant healthcare programs and services and that the work between partners is coordinated and aligned. The role is responsible for building and strengthening relationships between IHEC and internal/external partners to improve Indigenous health equity.

Here is what you will be doing:

Relationship Management and Facilitation Skills

Lead and collaborate with internal partners, project teams, working groups and committees involved in policy development, program design and system planning.

Work co-operatively with a diverse group of internal partners to meet mutual goals, using a professional network and facilitations skills to build stronger and better relationships. Partners and stakeholders include Ontario Health portfolios and business units, Ontario Health regions, government agencies, clinicians, health care providers, councils, networks, and professional associations.

Engage with internal partners to collaborate on shared priorities that align with provincial First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) partners.

Support Ontario Health portfolios and business units in building capacity to lead Indigenous initiatives/work.

Function as a key relationship facilitator with both internal and external Ontario Health partners; support the external engagement team in building on existing relationships and establishing and maintaining nuanced and unique relationships within the Ontario Health Regions and FNIMUI communities.

Participate in the Provincial Indigenous Leadership Network to share updates and collaborate with Ontario Health and Ontario Health Region Indigenous Leads.

Support the Ontario Health Regions and their respective Indigenous Teams and/or Leads to support the development and coordination of regional Indigenous initiatives in partnership with the Regional Program Managers within the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit.

Inform and participate in the development and implementation of departmental and business unit goals and objectives that result from the FNIMUI Health Plan.

Leadership and Project Management

Prepare analyses, briefing notes, reports, and presentations.

Support the development of reporting to Ontario Health leadership on the implementation progress of the FNIMUI Health Plan to Ontario Health on an ongoing basis (e.g., quarterly reporting).

Provide strategic leadership on complex projects or operations that span across portfolios in Ontario Health and Ontario Health Regions including the implementation of the Service Accountability Agreement local obligations as it relates to Indigenous health equity.

Manage an assigned portfolio of work from start to finish, applying advanced subject matter expertise to produce comprehensive business cases and options papers to address emerging, complex operational and/or health systems issues.

Take a lead role or provide substantial support in all aspects of the project lifecycles, including requirements gathering and gap definition, workflow and process redesign activities, request for information (RFI)/ request for proposal (RFP) development, and evaluation, coordinating system design, build and testing work, and implementation activities.

Resolve issues by providing innovative, creative, and integrated solutions that will achieve quality improvements and improve health outcomes with and for FNIMUI communities.

In managing projects, work in a self-directed manner as defined within the overall context of the FNIMUI Health Framework and upcoming Health Plan, while ensuring the Manager is connected to the work.

Manage engagement risk and address challenging issues, manage scope of the projects, and take early action to resolve problems.

Responsible for meeting objectives and achieving long-term desired results in all areas of responsibility.

Subject Matter Expertise

Ability to incorporate Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into program designs and implementation with and for FNIMUI peoples.

Ensure that existing and emerging policies and programs align with relevant strategies and reflect the needs of FNIMUI peoples and include relevant health system partners.

Review, provide insight and make strategic recommendations on provincial and regional Indigenous initiatives and engagements.

Support and provide expertise to the Ontario Health Portfolios and Ontario Health Regions in implementing the FNIMUI Health Framework and upcoming FNIMUI Health Plan and reporting back on their work/commitments.

Communication Skills

Ability to communicate effectively with senior management, Indigenous communities, and external healthcare organizations.

Understanding and adherence to Indigenous data governance principles in relation to communication of data findings.

Develop and present material for review and informational purposes using excellent written, verbal, and graphical communications skills, with ability to express complex concepts effectively.

Effectively communicate with stakeholders and can manage relationships effectively to ensure that the reputation of Ontario Health and the Indigenous Health Equity and Coordination unit is upheld.

Able to problem-solve issues and apply critical thinking to manage and foster stakeholder relationships, as well as know when to involve Manager in discussions that need to be escalated and further managed to mitigate risk to relationships and reputation of Ontario Health.

Work with the Measure, Monitor and Evaluate team within the Indigenous Cancer Care Unit to ensure coordination and alignment of projects with the Indigenous Data Governance Matters process.

Support the work of the Manager to ensure deliverables are met in terms of quality and within designated time.

Here is what you will need to be successful:  

Education and Experience

Completion of master’s degree in a health-related field, or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

At least 3-5 years of experience successfully leading and managing health care projects and/or programs.

Experience working with Indigenous communities and people.

Experience working in or with Ontario’s health care system.

Knowledge and Skills

Ability to build effective relationships and work productively in multi-faceted environment.

Demonstrated leadership, excellent communication, decision making, and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and implement programs and initiatives.

Demonstrated ability to apply risk mitigation to situations to manage and uphold Ontario Health reputation.

Demonstrated strategic leadership, collaboration and influencing skills in a complex, high volume, fast paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to work independently in a self-directed, goal-oriented manner with minimal supervision.

Detail-oriented with excellent organization and time management skills.

Demonstrated ability to conduct literature searches, and compile into summaries and briefs.

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.

Employment Type: Full Time Permanent

Salary Band:  6

Location:  Toronto Ontario (currently hybrid; subject to change). All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.

Internal Application Deadline Date:  July 7, 2024

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

We encourage applicants with accessibility needs to notify us if they have any accommodation needs in the application and/or interview process.

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