Director, Indigenous Health

Job Description

Director, Indigenous Health

Who we are

We are an organization comprised of industry thought leaders who are passionate about health data and want to make a difference in the health care field. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization and together with our partners we provide essential information on Canada's health systems, enabling decisions that lead to healthier Canadians. As a valued member of the CIHI team, you and your work will have a pivotal role in the evolution of Canada's health care systems.

CIHI is recognized as an exceptional place to work that embraces diversity, respect, integrity, collaboration and innovation. Learn about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and the work being done to create a more inclusive and welcoming organization by focusing on how we learn, govern and practise.

At CIHI, we recognize what matters to our employees. Some of the benefits of working at CIHI include:

• HOOPP Pension Plan (Defined Benefits Pension)
• Retirement Planning Program
• Generous vacation days for permanent and long-term contracts
• Work-life balance
• Career Planning Program
• Learning and Professional Development Program
• Flexible benefits program from your first day on the job for permanent and long-term contracts

Why is this role important?

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) provides comparable and actionable data and information that are used to accelerate improvements in health care, health system performance and population health across Canada. CIHI produces a broad range of health system databases, measurements and standards, which are used together with evidence-based reports and analyses, to support decision-making processes. We work closely with health care leaders across the country to ensure our work reflects the system challenges and priorities.

In 2020, CIHI signed a Declaration of Commitment to Advance Cultural Safety and Humility. This commitment reflects the high priority we place in working towards cultural safety and humility and our commitment to support the self-determined health needs and data priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. It also reflects our commitment to work towards cultural safety and humility in our own work and with other organizations. CIHI is committed to meaningful relationships that are grounded in reciprocity. We recognize that racism experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis in the health system is a significant patient safety and quality issue. We are committed to working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to report on Indigenous cultural safety in the health system.

CIHI has recently developed a strategic partnership with Health Excellence Canada, in response to the requests of First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners for a more aligned approach to our respective work. The Indigenous health teams from both organizations are exploring opportunities to work together to support health care organizations and systems to address systemic racism and improve cultural safety.

Reporting to the Vice President, Research and Analysis, the Director of Indigenous Health provides vision and strategic leadership to the organization. The Director will engage meaningfully with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations, communities and leaders to build and nurture relationships and develop partnerships, to listen and understand what’s important to them. The Director will align what they hear with CIHI’s mandate to continually assess opportunities where CIHI can bring best value.

This includes leading the evolution and implementation of:

• an ongoing learning approach for all staff, building on an in-house mandatory cultural responsiveness training program
• a respectful approach to the governance of First Nations, Métis and Inuit data at CIHI.
• the identification and development of a core set of indicators to support the comparable measurement and reporting of cultural safety in Canada’s health systems.
• a strategy for safe and appropriate First Nations, Inuit and Métis identification in health system data, to improve the understanding of health system needs.
• data analysis and capacity building in response to requests from First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities.

What you'll do

• Participate as a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, to provide strategic vision for CIHI. Work closely with other CIHI leaders and externally to ensure that CIHI maintains and strengthens its commitment to and capacity for work that is grounded in cultural safety and humility, driven by meaningful, reciprocal relationships and partnerships, and built on respectful engagement.
• Ability to think strategically, “connecting the dots” across issues, challenges and opportunities facing First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the country, with work underway within other Pan Canadian organizations and within CIHI to continually assess and inform our work.
• Provide strategic direction and day-to-day leadership of staff, in a small dynamic team. Create and maintain a positive working environment by fostering collaboration, staff development, engagement, and retention of staff.
• Oversee and monitor the development and implementation of plans and budgets for the Indigenous Health Strategy.
• Oversee the development and implementation of an engagement strategy to guide development and nurturing of meaningful, reciprocal relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations, and agencies.
• Implementing opportunities where CIHI can support First Nations, Inuit and Métis identified health and health data priorities, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis led partnerships and initiatives and applying the learnings to broader organizational strategy.
• Provide strategic input, as required, to support the implementation of appropriate governance practices at CIHI, including corporate governance structures, data and analytical release policies, corporate standards for engagement, and other processes. Support the organization to move through the change inherent in the reconciliation processes.
• Provide expertise and advice to the CEO, Vice-Presidents, Directors, and other groups as required. Providing subject matter expertise on a range of issues related to Indigenous partnerships, health and data. Advance ways to build this knowledge and understanding into the broader organization.
• Act as a media spokesperson as required in collaboration with the Communications team. Participate in key knowledge exchange opportunities that support the implementation of the Indigenous Health Strategy.

What you'll bring to the table

• Postgraduate degree in Indigenous Health, a health discipline, public administration or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Progressive senior management experience in indigenous health, health information, research or related fields, including demonstrated experience in successful staff management and development.
• Strong understanding of the distinct First Nations, Inuit and Métis health and wellness contexts, including Indigenous governments, organizations and agencies, and of respectful and appropriate approaches to engagement.
• Expert knowledge of contemporary and historical context influencing First Nations, Inuit and Métis research and data governance and appropriate and respectful approaches to collection and use of data, Indigenous data governance and sovereignty, data standards, and data analysis.
• Comfort with data and analyses. This role will be supported by others in the organization with strong indicator development and analytic skills.
• Strong understanding of the urgent need to address First Nations, Inuit and Métis experiences of racism within the healthcare system.
• Knowledge of health sector issues/challenges. Strong conceptual understanding of health and its determinants, as well as the organization and delivery of health services in Canada.
• Demonstrated ability to bring together diverse perspectives and support safe and respectful dialogue and collaboration and experience influencing health system change in support of First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities.
• Experience working successfully across teams and organizations, convening multiple players and facilitating productive dialogue and problem resolution to identify and achieve common goals.
• Preference will be given to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Some travel required.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Dana Ahenakey Andres at dana@spiritstaffing.com. Candidate submissions accepted until a candidate identified.

To apply for this role please visit CIHI - Director, Indigenous Health.

Closing Statement

To find out more about this role and other exciting opportunities visit our website at www.cihi.ca and check out our 'Careers' section.

We thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

At CIHI we are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. Part of this commitment includes arranging accommodations to ensure an equitable opportunity to participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.