Job Summary
To support this work, HWC has created the position of Indigenous Engagement Specialist, an exciting and unique position that works in collaboration with its senior team and all staff across the organization. This individual serves as a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives to support the organization to build strong relationships and engage effectively with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and organizations interested in health workforce data and planning, and Indigenous health workforce capacity building.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Indigenous Engagement Specialist will work across the organization to provide guidance and/or support on engaging across strategic priorities, as HWC initiates its own learning journey in cultural capability. HWC recognizes the importance of building and growing capabilities for this work and looks forward to guidance from the successful candidate to support this journey.
Please note the First Nations, Inuit and Métis candidates will be given priority for this role.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops and initiates implementation of an approach which ensures meaningful and culturally responsive interactions with Indigenous-led organizations and experts based on trust mutual respect and reciprocity. This includes communication consultation and collaboration to understand priorities with respect to health workforce data and planning.
- Works with the senior team and cross-functional teams to advance First Nations Inuit and Métis engagement within operational work plans.
- Explores the establishment of a First Nations Inuit and Métis advisory structure for HWC.
- Leads/co-leads plans and coordinates First Nations Inuit and Métis networking opportunities to build and maintain strong and respectful relationships with Indigenous leaders organizations (including national Indigenous organizations) and continually enhance HWC’s relevance to Indigenous organizations over time.
- Identifies potential areas for collaboration where there is mutual benefit and a clear value proposition for the partner respecting a distinctions-based approach.
- Collaborates with other pan-Canadian organizations to share insight on First Nations Inuit and Métis relationships and learning and/or partner on initiatives where appropriate.
- Prepares meeting plans organizes outreach prepares written materials including briefing notes and PowerPoints as needed to support effective engagements and ensures all communication materials messaging and resources are culturally responsive and appropriate for distinct audiences.
- Tracks and manages engagement and ensures an organized approach to outreach and follow-up.
- Supports the Governance and Operations branch in developing processes and policies to ensure planning and staffing approaches are underpinned by cultural capability and cultural safety.
- Supports the Data & Planning branch in establishing and maintaining relationships with First Nations Inuit and Métis partners on matters of health workforce data modeling and building data capacity while respecting Indigenous data sovereignty.
- Supports HWC’s knowledge translation to action work by helping to create bridges with Indigenous organizations to share leading practices on what works and what doesn’t.
- Leads/co-leads plans and coordinates learning opportunities for the HWC staff to establish a learning environment to enhance the organization’s collective cultural capability including learning and understanding how to facilitate sessions that are respectful of Indigenous knowledge traditions and protocols.
Knowledge and Experience
- You may not have all these qualifications, but HWC values and recognizes the lived experiences of Indigenous people and will consider lived experiences in lieu of all listed qualifications.
- Post secondary education in health administration or policy, healthcare, Indigenous studies, social sciences, communications, engagement, and/or related experience
- Experience as a health care provider is considered an asset
- Experience with, and understanding of, First Nations, Inuit and Métis health issues and demonstrated expertise in effectively working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners and stakeholders
- Demonstrated critical thinking to identify health system issues, developing workable solutions for consideration, and designing and implementing processes and procedures to attain positive results
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English and/or Indigenous language(s) or language families
- Strong project management, project planning and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated experience in effectively engaging with Indigenous and/or non-Indigenous audiences
- Experience supporting organizational learning programs, including training related to cultural capability, cultural safety and/or EDI in the workplace
- Excellent interpersonal skills, relationship management skills and a keen situational awareness
- Proven track record in working with Indigenous groups to achieve successful outcomes
- Ability to travel as needed for consultation and relationship building with Indigenous communities and organizations; and quarterly in-person team meetings
- Proficiency in MS Office tools, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint and Excel
Expression of Interest
Qualified candidates who possess the required technical skills and experience outlined in the attached position descriptions are asked to send an expression of interest and their resume to info@healthworkforce.ca
HWC promotes diversity and accessibility. Only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted. HWC thanks all candidates for their consideration.
Location
Virtual Employment Opportunity, (with in person team meetings up to 4 times per year for 3 days in a row) maximum
Reports to
Chief Operating Officer
Submission Date
How to Apply
Please send an expression of interest and your resume to info@healthworkforce.ca
About Health Workforce Canada
Health Workforce Canada (HWC) is a new, independent organization created to bring together health workforce experts and those in the health care field to learn from each other and to strengthen health workforce data and planning, with a goal to ensuring health workers are there to provide the care people in Canada need.
As this new organization comes online, HWC has identified a number of early priorities to help address key health workforce issues in Canada. These priorities include connecting individuals and organizations working in the health workforce environment, enhancing access to health workforce data through the development of health workforce data dashboards, and sharing what works in the health workforce space.
HWC recognizes the impact of colonialism and on-going inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada and has a commitment to working collaboratively with First Nation, Métis and Inuit organizations to support health workforce data and planning needs while respecting Indigenous rights to self-governance and minimizing unintended consequences or harm.