Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Advisor Location: Toronto-661 University Department: Indigenous Strategy and Engagement The Role: Under the direction and authority of the Director: To support and advise on building strong relationships of trust with Indigenous partners, leading aspects of development and operationalization of the Indigenous engagement strategy. The role requires a high level of Indigenous cultural familiarity in order to build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. To provide support and advise on the design, development, implementation and evaluation of Indigenous public health initiatives. To provide strategic policy analysis of new developments, trends and issues in the public health and broader health system. This position is based in Toronto; remote work will be considered for Indigenous community applicants. Key Responsibilities- Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with First Nations, Métis, Urban Indigenous and Inuit communities and represent PHO in key relationships through cultural knowledge to build and maintain relationships of trust. To provide advice, support and leadership on the planning and implementation of PHO’s Indigenous Strategy. Supports the Director to implement strategic directions related to enhancing organizational Indigenous cultural safety. Supporting public health units to meaningfully and successfully engage with Indigenous organizations and communities. Identifies organizational needs, makes recommendations, and supports delivery of training and education. Reviews and makes recommendations on organizational policies to enhance inclusion and cultural safety. Conducts systematic environmental scanning and analysis of system-level developments in public health and the broader health system as it relates to Indigenous cultural safety, engagement and health, and their impact and relevance to PHO. Supports and advises on planning and development of PHO’s Indigenous Strategy to ensure a strategic approach to all enterprise-level relationships and outreach with Indigenous organizations and communities. Supports and advises on the development of a calendar of key engagement activities and maintains a forward scan of potential PHO outreach activities. Provides advice and guidance to internal clients on engagement with Indigenous organizations and related analysis and tactical planning, including the development of supporting products, resources and tools. Contributes to the preparation of materials for related executive briefings, as applicable. Conducts the analysis and determines key engagement opportunities and their linkages to PHO’s mandate and strategic directions. Contributes and/or provides strategic support on initiatives such as those related to the operationalization of the Indigenous Strategy (e.g. development of targeted training or initiatives to highlight key Indigenous health research on the PHO webpage) Advises on building relationships with a wide range of organizations in the public health and health systems with a focus on Indigenous organizations for ongoing outreach in support of PHO planning and to keep management informed of developments that may impact PHO. Develops performance metrics to measure and report on engagement, plans, priorities and meeting PHO’s overall strategy. Leads and or provides strategic support to enterprise-level special projects as assigned by the Director (e.g. Indigenous data initiatives, various quality improvement initiatives). Develops and nurtures networks and alliances to enhance engagement and collaboration aligned with PHO’s strategy, plans and priorities. Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships within PHO. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge and Skills- Knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing/ teaching and Indigenous worldviews is strongly preferred. Understanding of Indigenous history, colonization, racism, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and Data Sovereignty Principles (Ie. OCAP and OCAS) 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 as they pertain to PHO’s mandate. Existing relationships with Indigenous organizations in Ontario is an asset. Knowledge and experience with implementing change. Strategic Advocacy to promote the development and implementation of PHO’s first Indigenous Strategy. Relationship building skills to develop and build partnerships and business relationships with key public health stakeholders and Indigenous organizations. Knowledge of and expertise in consultation and engagement principles and practices related to building relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities. Knowledge and understanding of the Ontario’s health sector. Strategic thinking skills to enable effective participation in initiatives that require thought leadership. Project management skills and the ability to lead initiatives from conceptualization to realization in order to lead, manage and/or participate in a variety of projects. Research (such as would be required to do a jurisdictional scan), planning and problem-solving skills. Skill and expertise in working with management and within cross-disciplinary teams. Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and familiarity with SharePoint. Education and Experience- University degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Health). Master’s degree is an asset. Significant experience and/ or lived experience with Indigenous organizations or communities. 5 years of public health, public relations or related working experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience working with Indigenous organizations and communities. Attributes and Competencies- Ability to communicate and respectfully relate to Indigenous peoples and organizations, with cultural awareness and consideration of the diversity of Indigenous nations. Ability to build trust with new partners. Oral communication, consulting and advanced interpersonal skills to provide advice across PHO to ensure consistent messaging and timely corporate responses to concerns raised by partners, stakeholders and the public. Engagement and co-development/facilitation skills to influence and contribute to planning and development processes. Written communication skills to develop strategies, plans, protocols and guides for Indigenous cultural safety and meaningfully engage with colleagues and partners. Written communication skills to develop strategic presentations and associated materials to support the Executive team in advancing organizational priorities. Provides advice and guidance to internal clients on Indigenous cultural practices and engagement with Indigenous organizations and related analysis and tactical planning, including the development of supporting products, resources and tools. Provides regular professional and timely advice on a variety of Indigenous-related public health initiatives across PHO. Liaises with program and corporate areas across the organization to keep apprised of current activities, issue and priorities. Contributes to the ongoing development of PHO’s processes to gauge success. Ensures mutually beneficial and productive working relationships with stakeholders in the public health and health system to lead consultations, outreach and to provide advice on key PHO initiatives. Extensive coordination and liaison across PHO and externally. The role also involves knowledge of external clients and partners in a wide range of jurisdictions often related to matters of substantial complexity, confidentiality, potential risk and visibility. Works within the broad framework of the mandate/goals of the Communicable Disease Control Department/PHO, the Enterprise Risk Management Framework and best practices and methods in stakeholder engagement and issues management. Contributes to the analyses of government policy direction for the Executive team (e.g., budget, policy announcements, change in government, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments) to identify impact on PHO and provide relevant advice and recommendations to inform enterprise-level strategy and planning. Contributes to developing PHO’s Indigenous Strategy to inform and support a strategic approach to building and sustaining meaningful and cultural safe relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities. Indigenous Engagement and the related Strategy is a key component of the PHO Strategic plan. Ensures metrics and performance indicators are tracked to reflect progress on these key PHO initiatives. Provides a range of advice on engaging with Indigenous organizations, including support and guidelines for executives and PHO management to ensure PHO has the necessary tools, plans and protocols to meaningfully engage with Indigenous organizations and individuals. Provides input to PHO’s Client Satisfaction Survey design team to ensure that survey findings can inform future Indigenous engagement activities, where applicable. Provides guidance, expertise and support to executives and managers in meaningful engagement with Indigenous partners and enhancing organizational Indigenous cultural safety. Provides guidance and mentorship to interns and/or residents. Leads teams involved in enterprise-level special projects. Duration: Contract (Fixed Term), 12 month(s) Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week Compensation Group:Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario Salary :$90,617.00 - $126,869.00 Posting Date: 08-1-2025 , Closing Date: 08-16-2025 Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition. Note: Internal candidates will be considered first. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose. PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process. Public Health Ontario (PHO) is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health. We link public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world. With our partners in government, public health and health care, we provide the scientific evidence and expert guidance that shapes policies and practices for a healthier Ontario. PHO has locations across Ontario, including 11 laboratory sites. We’re committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. For more information, visit publichealthontario.ca. Didn’t find a job that matched your profile? We are always looking to grow our talent pool of public health professionals. Introduce yourself and our recruitment team will have access to your profile for future job opportunities.
