Indigenous Health Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is committed to Indigenous health, rights and reconciliation. We aspire to become a culturally safer and humble organization. Guided by the principles of respect, relationship, reciprocity and reflection, we work in partnership with urban Indigenous Peoples – including First Nations, Inuit, Métis peoples and communities – to promote social justice and advance Indigenous rights and wellbeing. 
 
As a member of the Indigenous Health, Rights and Reconciliation (IHRR) Team, you may be expected to contribute to the advancement of IHRR-related initiatives in the following ways: 

• Enhance Indigenous cultural safety (ICS) and actions that address Indigenous-specific racism by promoting ICS learning opportunities for OPH employees, leadership, and members of the Board of Health, and by working with internal and external partners to support health system transformation.   
• Serve as a liaison with First Nations, Inuit and Métis service providers and community members to ensure that Indigenous rights, experience, and perspective are central when planning and delivering OPH programs and services.  
• Share wise practices related to Indigenous engagement and knowledge exchange with colleagues to help cultivate and maintain relationships between OPH teams/programs, local Indigenous service organizations, and the Host Nation.  
• Support Indigenous partners in their efforts to address community-identified priorities. 
• Initiate and inform the development and strategic review of OPH policies and practices to ensure the integration of Two-Eyed Seeing. 

 
This opportunity will require the successful candidate to have knowledge and lived experience related to Indigenous health, and an awareness and respect for the diversity of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous peoples in Ottawa, including the unique histories, traditions, cultural practices, local strengths, health and wellness needs. As part of OPH’s mandate and Strategy, they will work alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, to advocate for systemic changes that improve health services and address the determinants of Indigenous health; raise awareness about Indigenous rights as outlined in United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples  (UNDRIP); and support collective action to meaningfully address the TRC Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of a 4-year degree in a relevant discipline including, Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Health, Organizational Development, Adult Education or related field

A minimum of 3 years of related experience working with Indigenous organizations and communities. Must have knowledge and lived experience related to Indigenous health. 

KNOWLEDGE

• Strong understanding of Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and local Indigenous and community groups and agencies.
• In-depth understanding of current issues affecting Indigenous communities, particularly related to health and public health.
• Understanding of and experience working with anti-racist, anti-oppressive and culturally safe approaches, and in creating safe and inclusive environments. 
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to current and emerging issues related to health and wellness of Indigenous peoples (preferably through lived experience) as they pertain to Ottawa Public Health’s mandate. 
• Knowledge of Indigenous pedagogy and Indigenous worldviews is strongly preferred. 
• Understanding of Indigenous history, colonization, racism, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and OCAP® Principles (ownership, control, access and possession). 
• Knowledge of techniques and methodologies for establishing relationships with Indigenous organizations 
• Knowledge of a variety of change management theories and methodologies. 
• Knowledge of consultation and engagement principles and practices related to building relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities. 
• Knowledge of the Ontario’s public health sector and broader health system, and of provincial and/or First Nations, Inuit and Métis government processes. 
• Knowledge of project management techniques and methodologies 
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio) and familiarity with SharePoint.objectives.
• Knowledge of Ottawa organizations and services that serve diverse populations, and in particular, communities that face barriers.  
• Knowledge of Indigenous languages would be an asset  
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to create partnerships and lead collaborative meetings and initiatives  
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with community partners and organizations that serve First Nations, Inuit, and or Métis  
• Oral communication, consulting and interpersonal skills to provide advice in the provision of ensure consistent messaging and timely corporate response to complaints or concerns raised by partners, clients, stakeholders and the public.  
• Ability to communicate and relate to Inuit with sensitivity to cultural and governance differences.
• Ability to speak Inuktitut or another indigenous language 
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation/facilitation skills to influence and contribute to planning processes.  
• Written communication skills to develop strategies, plans, presentation, protocols and guides for Indigenous cultural safety and meaningful engagement with Indigenous organizations. 
• Oral communication and influencing skills to promote the use of the Ottawa Public Health’s Indigenous Engagement framework.  
• Ability to communicate and relate to Indigenous peoples and organizations with cultural competency and consideration of the diversity of Indigenous nations. 
• Relationship building skills to develop and build partnerships and business relationships with key public health stakeholders and Indigenous partners.
• Strategic thinking skills to enable effective participation in initiatives that require thought leadership.
• Skills and the ability to lead initiatives from conceptualization to realization to lead, manage and/or participate in a variety of projects 
• Ability to undertake research, plan and problem solve
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and independently.