Job Opportunity - Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing, Office of the Provincial Health Officer

RES O 24R - Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing - (87049)

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Posting Title: RES O 24R - Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing

Position Classification: Research Officer R24

Union: GEU

Location: Victoria, BC V9B 6X2 CA (Primary)

Salary Range: $66,557.72 - $75,884.38 annually

Close Date: 7/14/2022

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Ministry/Organization: BC Public Service -> Health

Ministry Branch / Division

Office of the Provincial Health Officer

Job Summary

Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing
Research Officer R24

An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and/or permanent vacancies.

While the main division is located in Victoria, we offer flexible work arrangements, including the opportunity to telework (with conditions) as set out in applicable employer policies. This position may be performed in other approved locations within the Province of BC. For specific information about a location, applicants are invited to contact the Hiring Manager to confirm if working remotely from that location could be considered. It is our intention that the successful candidate is able to work from their home community within BC, provided the location meets our requirements for working conditions and internet access.

In recognition of the critical importance to this role of a lived understanding of Indigenous communities, history, values and cultural competencies, this competition is restricted to self-identified Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

On November 1, 2021 the BC Public Service announced the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that defines the conditions and expectations for BC Public Service employees regarding vaccination against COVID-19.  Among other possible measures, proof of vaccination will be required.  It is a term of acceptance of employment that you agree to comply with all vaccination requirements that apply to the public service.  More information can be found here.

Message to applicants from the Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Indigenous Health

Taanshi, Dágǫndı́h, Greetings!My name is Danièle Behn Smith (she/her).  I’m Métis from the Red River Valley and Eh Cho Dene from Fort Nelson First Nation.    I am a mama to two beautiful kids and one little black dog.  I have the honour and privilege of working as the Deputy Provincial Health Officer Indigenous Health and I’m thrilled that we will soon be welcoming an Indigenous report manager to our Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) team! At the BC Office of the PHO we are working towards an environment of cultural safety, anti-racism and trustworthiness.  The OPHO’s ongoing efforts to earn and maintain the trust of Indigenous peoples, as well as communities of colour in BC, centre on unlearning and undoing systemic white supremacy and racism inherited from the settler colonial origins of our institutions.  We are thrilled to recruit an Indigenous report manager who will bring their unique wisdom, expertise and worldviews to help us accomplish this important work together.  This role is grounded in relationships and advances our collaborative health and wellness reporting with First Nations Health Authority and Métis Nation BC.  We look forward to meeting interested candidates and expanding our Indigenous team at the OPHO!  Mussi cho/Maarsi. Danièle 

Message to applicants from the Lead Manager, Project Research and Reporting Initiatives

Hello! My name is Maya Nakajima. I am a second-generation Japanese Canadian settler and my pronouns are she/her. My parents immigrated to Canada from Japan, to the traditional territories of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the Credit River Métis Community; and the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. I was born and raised in these traditional territories, and have since been afforded the privileges of being an uninvited, long-term settler across many other traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories across this land called Canada. I am a proud mom to a strong-willed daughter and large grey cat named Moose. As a member of the Reports Team at the OPHO, we dedicate our efforts in weaving narratives of Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples alike, to produce meaningful reports on the health and wellness of all British Columbians. We acknowledge the systemic racism, discrimination, and marginalization that create social inequities and barriers to achieving wellness among Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, and many other equity-seeking communities. We welcome distinct Indigenous lived experiences, Indigenous ways of knowing, narratives, and leadership, all of which bring a much-needed voice to the work we do. We commit to creating a supportive environment for our new team member to thrive as a Manager on the Reports Team. We provide mentorship and on-the-job training for new teammates to ensure success in their new role. We also encourage our team members to connect with other communities of practice within government and their own local communities for continued learning opportunities and peer mentorship. We hope you will consider joining our team! I welcome any questions you may have about this position, the application process, or the OPHO. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time during this competition. I look forward to hearing more about the unique strengths and expertise you will bring to this position. Thanks! Maya  (maya.nakajima@gov.bc.ca).

The Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) is committed to reconciliation.  The OPHO works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous peoples to disrupt colonial structures and advance Indigenous health equity. The OPHO has partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC and other Indigenous partners to pursue collaborative projects and develop reports on Indigenous health, wellness and determinants of health. The OPHO’s relationships are grounded in principles of self-determination, respect, reciprocal accountability, cultural safety, cultural humility, and two-eyed seeing.

The position is part of the OPHO which is an independent office within the Ministry of Health. The mandate for the OPHO is outlined in the Public Health Act. The Provincial Health Officer is the senior public health official for BC and is responsible for monitoring the health of the population of BC and providing independent advice to the ministers and public officials on public health issues.

Within the OPHO, there is a Reports Team, led by a Project Director. With the OPHO Project Director’s leadership, the Reports Team is responsible for producing and launching reports for the PHO. Please refer to the OPHO website for examples of such reports.

The Manager, Indigenous Research and Writing works in collaboration with their supervisor (the Project Director) and other members of the Reports Team to support and lead projects or components of projects by conducting and analyzing research, writing evidence-based reports, developing briefing materials, and completing all tasks to support the launch of PHO annual and special reports. The Manager will be focused on Indigenous reporting initiatives and collaborative research/writing projects with Indigenous partner organizations. This includes analyzing current and relevant policies, programs, legislation, and services; conducting evidence and jurisdictional reviews; drafting and reviewing PHO report sections/chapters; coordinating and responding to feedback; copyediting and proofing pre-print publications; offering observations about data trends in charts produced by the Population Health Surveillance & Epidemiology team; and supporting report launch activities as needed. 

The position works collaboratively with partner divisions and organizations to consult with subject matter experts and to develop joint reports (e.g., Métis Nation BC, the First Nations Health Authority, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, other divisions in the Ministry of Health, other ministries, Child Health BC, BCCDC, health authorities). The Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing works with considerable independence in a fast-paced executive office while adhering to high standards of evidenced-based objective population health reporting. The Manager may also be involved in other work to support the functions of the OPHO as needed.

The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to applicants that self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Status or non-Status, Métis, or Inuit) seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. For advice and guidance on applying and/or preparing for an interview for this opportunity, we invite applicants to connect with the Indigenous Applicant Advisor by email: IndigenousApplicants@gov.bc.ca  or by phone: 778-698-1336

For complete details about this opportunity, including accountabilities, please refer to the attached job profile.  For specific position related enquiries, please contact maya.nakajima@gov.bc.ca DO NOT SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS.  For more information about how to complete your job application, add/edit your resume and for more useful tips when applying for jobs, please refer to the Your Job Application page on the MyHR website. If you are still experiencing technical difficulty applying for a competition, please send an e-mail to BCPSA.Hiring.Centre@gov.bc.ca  before the stated closing time, and we will respond as soon as possible to assist you.

NOTE: Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on the closing date of the competition.

Job Requirements:

Education and Experience requirements are minimum requirements to be successful in the job competition. We will ask about these experiences in the questionnaire and/or a screening dialogue (phone or videoconference). We are explicitly placing equal value in formal mainstream education as well as lived experience in Indigenous ways of knowing. Years listed in this section can be cumulative and do not have to be consecutive or continued years of experience. Experiences listed as “preferred” are only considered if minimum requirements are met.
In order to be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience as outlined below:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field*, plus 2 years related experience or
• A diploma in the related field*, plus 3 years related experience**; or
• Certification from a recognized institution in the related field* plus 4 years related experience**; or
• 5 years of related experience**; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

*These are examples of the fields of study we consider to be “related fields” and is not an exhaustive list. Applicants are not required to have qualifications in all of these fields: Public Health, Public Administration, Health Administration, Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, Communication, Political Sciences, others.

**These are examples of the type of experience we consider to be “related experience” and is not an exhaustive list. Applicants are not required to have experience in all of these areas. Related experience can include volunteer experience and experience gained in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities:

• Demonstrated Indigenous leadership experience through work, community, or volunteer experience (e.g., representative on a youth council, community governance work, developing health and wellness plans with community, organizing or participating in community gatherings, coordinating cultural events, being a board member for an Indigenous organization).
• Experience in formal or informal cultural learning programs (e.g., spending time with Elders in an Elder’s helper capacity, participating in Tribal Journeys and other Indigenous cultural programs).
• Experience managing projects, project teams, and/or components of projects.
• Experience with research and writing, including writing critical literature reviews, writing evidence-based articles or chapters, and/or preparing written materials based on policy analysis. 
• Experience in research, policy and/or programming related to Indigenous health and wellness. 
• Experience in composing written materials for senior leaders or executives, including Chiefs, Council members, and other Indigenous leadership.
• Experience in, or successful completion of, BC Government’s Indigenous Youth Internship Program.
   

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations.
• Experience in Indigenous research methodologies.

Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies as outlined in the attached Job Profile located in the Additional Information section at the bottom of the posting.

A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
 

Cover letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - A resume is required as part of your application; however, it may not be used for initial shortlisting purposes.

Questionnaire (COMPREHENSIVE): YES - As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete a comprehensive online questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Please allot approximately 60 minutes to complete the questionnaire. As part of the screening process, applicants who screen in may be invited to participate in a phone call with the Hiring Manager to further discuss the strengths and experience they will bring to the team.

IMPORTANT: Comprehensive questionnaire responses will be used to shortlist applicants against the job requirements. Please ensure you include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and your accountabilities and accomplishments. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to the Hiring Manager, Maya Nakajima (maya.nakajima@gov.bc.ca).

Job Category

Policy, Research and Economics

Additional Information

 Job Profile_RO24_Manager, Indigenous Health Research and Writing