Director, Indigenous Engagement and Relationships at Inforoute Sante du Canada Inc – Toronto, Ontario

Overview

At Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), we believe a more connected health system is a healthier, more sustainable one. As Canada’s digital health agency, Infoway works in partnership with governments, Indigenous partners and communities, healthcare organizations, clinicians, industry, and patients to advance Connected Care and improve health outcomes and experiences for people across Canada. By strengthening health data exchange, advancing national standards, and supporting the responsible adoption of digital health innovations, we are helping ensure that the right information is available to the right people at the right time. This enables better care coordination, reduces administrative burden for clinicians, empowers patients with access to their health information, and supports a more modern, efficient, and patient-centred health system.

Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada and accountable to its Board of Directors and Members of the Corporation, Canada’s 14 federal, provincial and territorial deputy ministers of health. Working collaboratively across jurisdictions and with health system partners, Infoway acts as a national convener and catalyst to accelerate the adoption of shared standards, trusted digital infrastructure, and innovative solutions that strengthen care delivery and system performance across the country.

Infoway is on a learning journey guided by Indigenous voices and perspectives. We are committed to advancing reconciliation by respecting Indigenous data sovereignty, promoting culturally safe and inclusive approaches to digital health, and supporting the health and data priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This work is grounded in building respectful, distinction-based relationships with Indigenous partners, communities, organizations and Northern governments, whose guidance informs our approach to advancing digital health in ways that are meaningful, appropriate and responsive to community priorities.

Why Join Us?

· Be part of a national effort to advance Connected Care and help shape the future of healthcare in Canada while improving health outcomes for people across the country.

· Work alongside a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of experts who are passionate about digital health innovation and committed to strengthening Canada’s health system.

· Thrive in a fast paced, agile and collaborative environment where you will work on cutting edge digital health initiatives while continuously expanding your skills and expertise.

· Grow your career through meaningful learning opportunities, exposure to complex national initiatives and the chance to contribute to transformative work across Canada’s health system.

· Join an organization that values its people and supports employee wellbeing, growth and professional development.

Purpose

The Director, Indigenous Engagement and Relationships - Rural, Remote, Northern Communities is a newly created role responsible for building and strengthening partnerships and alliances with the private and public sectors across Canada, more specifically within rural, and northern communities and indigenous partners, to further the advancement of our digital healthcare solutions that will deliver on our Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap. Integral to this role is ensuring the voices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and communities are brought forward and heard, alignment with indigenous data sovereignty principles, and leading collaborative approaches to embedding indigenous perspectives into advancing Infoway’s vision and mission.

Responsibilities

Driving digital health solutions for our rural, remote and northern communities.

· A major focus of this role is to identify and support the advancement of digital healthcare solutions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, recommending the advancements of partnerships and innovations to help drive our Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap. This includes appreciation and ongoing awareness of the various First Nations, Inuit and Métis governance systems and processes as well as strategically working within the complexities of provincial and territorial healthcare environments

· Strengthen relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Rural / Northern Health system partners to understand the challenges of their digital health priorities, strengthening and maintaining reciprocal relationships with National, Regional and Community based Indigenous organizations.

· Ensure the voices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples are brought forward and heard as we advance Infoway’s strategic priorities and Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap through co-design of Distinctions based approaches. This requires ongoing and effective collaboration with Indigenous partners, vendors, community, regional and national organizations.

· Collaborates with other Pan Canadian Health Organizations and external networks such as the Canada Northern and Remote Health Network, Sparsely Populated Regions Advisory Group, and others.

· Develops models to evaluate program success for the Indigenous, Northern and Rural areas.

Support and advance our journey towards reconciliation.

· Strengthen our Indigenous and Rural partnerships and alliances within the provinces and territories to support our reconciliation journey and the advancement of our mission and goals.

· Provide thought leadership in the review and recommendations of policies and practices to reduce and wherever possible eliminate the potential to perpetuate anti-Indigenous racism and systemic racism.

· Collaborate closely internally and externally to support the organization’s commitment to working towards and executing a sustainable Reconciliation program. Pro-actively communicate our efforts to external audiences to ensure the alignment of our Reconciliation commitment and journey with all Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Métis partners.

· From a Reconciliation, diversity and inclusion lens, understand, listen and support the provinces and territories in their efforts to address systemic racism and supporting cultural safety in healthcare technology systems and interoperability.

Requirements

· A deep appreciation of the importance of digital healthcare interoperability and the ability to navigate and translate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews.

· Recent and relevant experience working with rural and Indigenous healthcare, health-delivery, health-technology (or similar, relevant) focused organizations to advance digital healthcare solutions is important.

· A good understanding of the challenges and priorities for healthcare technology services and delivery within rural and Indigenous environments, along with the complexities of provincial and territorial healthcare environments including funding, government relations and technology, and an awareness of the various First Nations, Inuit and Métis governance systems and processes.

· Proven ability to utilize knowledge of Indigenous health care services, technology needs and issues as well as knowledge of the culture, protocol, and traditions of Indigenous Peoples to ensure respect, diplomacy and tact to honour established and new relationships as a representative of Infoway.

· Recent and related experience negotiating and facilitating discussions, leading to consensus with diverse groups such as Indigenous communities and organizations, senior managers, and decision influencers to build and grow engagement.

· A solid understanding of the importance of how our journey towards Reconciliation applies and need to be embedded in all aspects of our work including our relationships with partners in the provinces and territories.

· Proven ability to give and receive effective, timely feedback and detailed analysis on Reconciliation efforts and digital healthcare solutions and processes for rural and Indigenous partners.

· Proven ability to utilize effective collaboration, communication, facilitation, persuasion, and negotiation skills to achieve consensus, resolve conflict and achieve desired outcomes in a healthy and respectful manner.

· Ability to work effectively under time pressure to meet deadlines, balance work priorities and resolve problems in a timely manner.

· Fluency in both official languages is an asset.

· Ability to travel up to 50% of the time as needed.

Infoway is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Infoway is committed to advancing Reconciliation and renewing relationships with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

Infoway provides reasonable accommodations to employees as well as candidates taking part in the recruitment process, upon request.

We thank you for your interest in this opportunity at Infoway however, only those applicants who most closely meet the qualifications for this position will be contacted.