Senior Specialist, Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions, Prevention and Wellness

Pour obtenir une traduction en français de l’offre d’emploi suivante, veuillez envoyer un courriel à careers@ontariohealth.ca. Les demandes seront traitées dans un délai de trois jours ouvrables et la période de dépôt des demandes sera prolongée de trois jours.

To obtain a French translation of the following job posting, please email careers@ontariohealth.ca. Requests will be addressed within three business days, and the application window will be extended by three business days.

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:   

At Ontario Health, your growth and well-being aren’t just supported—they’re celebrated every step of the way. Here, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while shaping a fulfilling and sustainable career. Based on your role, you may receive:

• Comprehensive health coverage from day one, with fully paid medical, dental, and vision benefits to support you and your family’s health
• Flexible health care or wellness spending accounts, plus an inclusive program to support your overall well-being
• A premium defined benefit pension plan, ensuring long-term financial security
• Competitive vacation entitlement that encourages time to rest and recharge
• Three personal days and two float days annually, providing added flexibility to support work-life balance, in addition to vacation days
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities designed to help you grow, advance, and thrive in your profession
• A collaborative, values-driven workplace where integrity, care, humility, inspiration, and tenacity shape everything we do
• Opportunities to participate in Communities of Inclusion, fostering belonging, equity, and the sharing of diverse perspectives across our team

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

A key member of the Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions team that leads the design and implementation of clinical and system strategies, plans, and policies for the Integrated Mental Health, Addictions, and Community Care (IMHACC) Division. This Senior Specialist position contributes their growing subject matter knowledge, experience, and insight to improving the well-being of Indigenous peoples in Ontario. The Senior Specialist will also work with a diverse group of internal and external partners to ensure that Indigenous peoples in Ontario have access to equitable and culturally safe and appropriate mental health and addictions programs and services. The Senior Specialist will facilitate and support building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, better coordination of Indigenous mental health work across Ontario Health, and the development of provincial and regional policies, projects, and strategies with and for First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) partners.

Here is what you will be doing:

Key Responsibilities

• Planning and leading projects to develop quality improvement strategies which includes working closely with clinical experts, conducting needs assessments and surveys, performing literature reviews and environmental scans, developing education and evaluation tools, and contributing to presentations and publications relating to the projects.
• Develops various products including but not limited to briefing notes, analytical reports, executive summaries, status updates, and presentations to support internal and external communications, business reporting and decision-making.
• Supporting the development and implementation of mental health strategies in alignment with the development of Ontario Health’s Indigenous Health Framework, while ensuring the Indigenous partners have an ongoing and sustainable voice in the delivery of mental health and addictions services.
• Working closely with the Indigenous Health Unit and Ontario Health Regions in the development and coordination of provincial and regional Indigenous partnerships, engagement and initiatives.
• Supporting all aspects of project management such as identifying and effectively communicating with relevant partners, managing project documentation, driving agendas, providing input in a collaborative setting to develop and implement strategies to foster quality improvement and identifying, resolving, and escalating, as required, issues and risks in a timely manner.
• Facilitating meetings which includes leading meetings, developing meeting presentations, coordinating meeting logistics and corresponding with meeting participants.
• Developing subject matter expertise in clinical and/or health system areas of interest.
• Monitoring evidence and conducting jurisdictional scans to understand best practices. Conduct systematic literature reviews.
• Providing subject matter expertise to support business units in the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical and/or health system plans, strategies and policies.
• Working with various health system partners (subject matter experts, providers, administrators, professional bodies) and working groups to achieve consensus.
• Creating, building, and maintaining strong respectful relationships with partners, staff, and senior leadership.
• Engaging directly with and working collaboratively with FNIMUI partners to establish relationships that are based on respect and mutual trust.

Here is what you will need to be successful: 

Education and Experience

• A Master’s degree is preferred, or an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as clinical epidemiology, health services research, business or health administration, sciences, or social sciences, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. We recognize and value diverse pathways to professional expertise, including lived experience, Indigenous knowledge, community connections, and demonstrated leadership capabilities.

Knowledge/Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience, including at least two (2) years of recent experience within the healthcare sector. We welcome applications from Indigenous candidates who bring relevant community-based experience, strong relationships with Indigenous communities, and transferable skills aligned with the requirements of the role.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and peoples and/or lived experience with First Nations. Inuit, Métis or urban Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario.
• Extensive knowledge of the federal and provincial government departments responsible for First Nations. Inuit, Métis 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.
• Experience in addressing First Nations, Inuit and Métis chronic disease, mental health/wellness, or other health issues would be considered an asset.
• Ability and understanding to incorporate Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into program designs and implementation with and for Indigenous people.
• Understanding of and adherence to First Nations, Inuit and Métis data governance principles in relation to communication of data findings.
• Demonstrated successful project management and change management experience.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis including systematic literature reviews.
• Experience partnering with internal and external partners to advance the quality agendas.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, use sound judgment, support colleagues and remain highly motivated and results-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience organizing and coordinating small and large meetings for various partners.
• Preference given to individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis or have other Indigenous ancestry.

Location: Ontario Health (OH) welcomes applications from candidates across Ontario. Please note that this role follows an in-office work model, requiring employees to work from a designated, approved Ontario Health location.

Ontario Health is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, including Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario. We value the perspectives, knowledge and lived experiences Indigenous candidates bring and welcome applicants who can contribute to advancing culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive health system outcomes.

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All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.  

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

Ontario Health is an accessible employer, and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email careers@ontariohealth.ca and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.