Director, Indigenous Partnerships

Reporting in a matrix relationship to the Vice President - N'doo'owe Binesi and the North West Regional Indigenous Steering Committee, the Regional Director provides strategic leadership and actively nurtures regional partnerships to address the needs of Indigenous Peoples in Northwestern Ontario. The Regional Director advocates for, and addresses the needs of Indigenous Peoples by engaging with a wide range of healthcare providers, communities, and organizations.

The Regional Director provides strategic guidance and recommendations that are culturally safe and relevant for Northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups, and strengthens regional partnerships to support Ontario Health Teams and the Regional Specialized Services Network in achieving the goals of improved patient experience, outcomes, and equity.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor's Degree in a health-related field, from an accredited university, or equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience working with Indigenous communities, organizations or groups in Northwestern Ontario, preferably in a leadership capacity.
• Minimum of three (3) years' experience in a leadership role.
• Strong leadership skills, including ability to motivate others, build consensus and drive meaningful system-level change
• Deep understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures, and traditions, with a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous rights and social justice.
• Experience working with Indigenous languages, cultures, customs, and traditions is required.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with various partners across the Northwest and work productively in a multi-faceted environment (i.e., in-person, travel, and virtual).
• Knowledge of local and regional Indigenous/First Nations languages, cultures, and traditions.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of how Indigenous people transition through the healthcare system, across communities and from local to regional levels of care.
• Demonstrated excellent communication, leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous governance structures and protocols, organizations, communities, and geographic territories within the Northwestern region. Awareness of political aspects of health transformation.
• Commitment to uphold ethical standards, cultural humility, and confidentiality in all interactions and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Demonstrated understanding of the social determinants of health equity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health services, regulatory bodies, and ethical issues as they relate to Indigenous patient populations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Indigenous communities and external healthcare organizations.
• Demonstrated ability and understanding to incorporate Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into program designs and implementation with Indigenous Peoples.
• Demonstrated excellent presentation skills.
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Conditions of Employment

This position shall be conditional upon a satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) where indicated, to ensure the absence of relevant criminal convictions.

• Offers of employment made to external candidates are conditional upon providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination as per the SJCG Immunization Policy IMS-04-005 or proof of valid medical exemption, prior to the offered effective date. If proof of vaccination or valid medical exemption is not provided, the offer of employment is rescinded.
• Will be required to frequently travel to various locations within the region and provide own transportation

Why Work For Us?

• Competitive and progressive salary and benefit packages
• Membership in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Relocation Assistance (some restrictions apply)
• Ongoing professional development and advanced education
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Opportunities to participate in research and teaching initiatives
• Tuition loan program
• Employee and family assistance program
• Employee recognition program
• Employee discount program
• Employee referral program

About St. Joseph's Care Group

• Combining tradition & innovation in responding to the unmet needs of the people of Northwestern Ontario since 1884.
• Offers a broad range of programs and services in Rehabilitative Care, Addictions & Mental Health, and Seniors' Health across 8 sites in the City of Thunder Bay.
• Over 2,200 staff and growing.
• Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest level awarded by Accreditation Canada.
• Designated by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) as the Best Practice Spotlight Organization.
• Uses technology to help overcome challenges to healthcare including the sheer size of Northwestern Ontario to bring care closer to the people we serve.
• Northwestern Ontario regional lead for Rehabilitative Care, Behavioural Supports, and Palliative Care.
• Coupling research with mobilization, our Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) supports internal and external staff and clinicians through expertise, project consultation, and knowledge translation.
• Continues to advance a self-management approach to care, and we are involving our clients more closely in their own care decisions to achieve the health outcomes that are important to them.

About Thunder Bay, ON

If you enjoy the benefits of work-life balance that a smaller centre can offer, with the benefit of working in a large and progressive organization, come join us in the North!

Nestled on the pristine shores of Lake Superior and surrounded by the beauty of nature, Thunder Bay offers a perfect balance of urban and rural life. With world-class sailing, boating, camping, hiking, and cycling in the summer months, and downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, Thunder Bay has something to offer healthy living enthusiasts throughout the year. Affordable housing and a vibrant, culturally diverse community with access to fine dining and the arts make this community a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Thunder Bay has excellent schools, including publicly funded French language, French immersion, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as Confederation College and Lakehead University. Thunder Bay is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the newest Law program in Ontario. Thunder Bay also offers innovative opportunities through the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.