Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Specialist, Indigenous Health & Wellness, BORN - Temporary Full-Time (1.0) (until October 2028)

Compensation Pay Range:

Job Description:

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.

Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario

BORN Ontario is Ontario's prescribed perinatal and child health registry, dedicated to improving the quality of care and outcomes for families through the collection, analysis, and use of health information.

POSITION SUMMARY

BORN Ontario recognizes that information plays an important role advancing health equity and improving care for Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to respecting Indigenous data governance and facilitating the use of perinatal health information related to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, in alignment with the values and desires of their communities.

As part of this commitment, BORN Ontario is advancing the BORNConnect program, a vision for connected care that will be delivered through the digitization of the Ontario Perinatal Record (dOPR+). The dOPR+ will connect information from across the pregnancy journey into a single, secure, and interoperable digital record. The development of the dOPR+ will rely on the shared perspectives, experiences and engagement of clinicians and people with lived and living experience across Ontario.

The EDI Indigenous Health & Wellness Specialist will lead engagement with Indigenous communities across Ontario to foster respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous clinicians, community partners, organizations, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and individuals with lived and living experience. Through a listening-first, relationship-based approach, the Specialist will work to understand what Indigenous communities and partners identify as their priorities, needs, concerns, and desired outcomes to ensure their perspectives meaningfully inform and shape the development of the BORNConnect digital Ontario Perinatal Record+ (dOPR+).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads activities and supports the implementation of Indigenous perspectives into BORNConnect programming:

• Facilitating, coordinating, and implementing activities that respect Indigenous data sovereignty and align with BORN’s mandate, ensuring adherence to distinctions-based Indigenous data governance principles and frameworks, including First Nations’ OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession), Métis OCAS (Ownership, Control, Access, and Stewardship), and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), while respecting the unique rights, priorities, and data governance practices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples
• Facilitating engagement with Indigenous partners, communities, individuals and families to inform the development of the dOPR+
• Interpreting, advising on, and developing resources to advance BORN’s contributions to supporting and facilitating care and information sharing, whilst ensuring compliance with related CHEO policies and governmental policies, regulations, and legislation
• Assessing corporate and departmental EDI training needs, contributing to the development, delivery and sourcing of awareness building and formal and informal learning opportunities
• Leading research, development, review, and writing of policies and tools to drive the dOPR+
• Analyzing data and identifying trends and gaps and incorporating these insights into work product
• Contributing to and developing EDI communications and partnership strategies
• Sustaining knowledge of Indigenous data governance practices, regulatory requirements, and community engagement expertise by committing to self-learning through research and networking with partners
• Liaising with other provincial organizations to develop, share, and implement Indigenous wellness and data governance practices

Leads projects and initiatives from concept to implementation by:

• Participating in strategic or business planning processes, conducting/managing research, best practices, and operational reviews
• Participating in and/or facilitating interviews/focus groups committees, consultation groups, and other conversations to ensure BORN is considering and incorporating recommendations, lived experiences, and concerns from outside the organization
• Analyzing and compiling research findings, drafting reports, charts, and spreadsheets to communicate findings and trends pertaining to program/service delivery, or policy development
• Researching and analyzing current situations to develop project scope documents with the support of BORN project management colleagues
• Conducting environmental scans, identifying trends, interpreting assessment results, and converting findings into action plans
• Consulting with other provincial organizations and with key community and/or internal groups
• Providing comprehensive information on Indigenous data governance to diverse audiences, including developing and delivering information sessions and training programs for relevant partners and staffManaging and monitoring project deliverables and milestones
• Ensuring alignment with overall BORNConnect and CHEO policy frameworks, goals, and objectives
• Providing leadership, guidance, and assistance to program/project staff
• Evaluating project results and preparing reports for BORN Management and making recommendations to facilitate strategic decision making, as required

Contributes to the overall effectiveness of BORNConnect dOPR+ work by:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with and across BORN management portfolios, healthcare data provider organizations, other provincial programs and organizations, community leaders and members, and partners across Team CHEO corporations and departments
• Exercising diplomacy and tact when aligning to and addressing needs of partners with organizational priorities and constraints
• Monitoring and remaining informed of current issues and trends and applying strategic foresight to plans
• Making recommendations for service improvement
• Representing BORN at and reporting back from external and internal tables, conferences, training, and other events to share best practices, build relationships, and contribute to solution building
• Performing work in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all CHEO corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a four (4) year university degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, or a related area or equivalent experience (five (5) years) in leading and developing EDI, Indigenous health and wellness, and/or Indigenous data governance policies and programs in a professional capacity (Essential)
• Experience in government, healthcare organizations or complex community-based organizations is an asset (Preferred)
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience directly related to the development and implementation of health policies and programs, data analysis and management, partner engagement, awareness-building and training programs, and successfully integrating Indigenous wellness and community leadership (Essential)
• Lived experiences as an Indigenous person (Inuit, First Nations, or Métis) (Preferred)
• Experience in qualitative research, focus groups, and thematic analysis (Essential)
• Experience facilitating stakeholder and community engagement (Preferred)
• Experience developing engagement frameworks and plan (Preferred)
• Experience working with Indigenous organizations, health authorities, Community Health Centres, or Friendship Centres (Essential)
• Strong communication and listening skills (Essential)
• High level of resourcefulness, especially where clarity of approach may be lacking
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well in a matrix team setting (Essential)
• Office and clerical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) (Essential)
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail (Essential)
• Flexible approach to work demands with the ability to manage concurrent complex projects on time and within budget (Essential)
• Ability to interpret and advise on principles of good governance and stewardship of health data related to social determinants of health to reduce harm and advance equity (Essential)
• Strong understanding of Indigenous (First Nations’, Inuit, and Metis) data governance principles (Essential)
• Skilled in advanced research, statistical analysis, and report writing techniques and processes (Essential)
• Experience in Project management/program development and program evaluation
• Policy research and analysis (Essential)
• Strategic communication and negotiation skills (Essential)
• Ability to assess complex issues/situations and apply effective, creative solutions (Essential)
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of strategies to increase equity of health care and outcomes (Essential)
• Ability to identify opportunities to develop and implement initiatives to encourage cultural change (Essential)
• Displays sensitivity and commitment to human rights and equity issues (Essential)
• Ability to travel throughout Ontario, including to Indigenous communities, as required for engagement initiatives (Essential)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential)
• Multilingualism (including but not limited to Indigenous language(s) English, and/or French) (Preferred)

Preference will be given to applicants of Inuit, First Nations, or Metis descent. Please self-identify to receive preference. (s.16(1) and s.16(3) Canadian Human Rights Act

*Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Welcome

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth's health and well-being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career.

A career at CHEO provides a:

• competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

• unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork

• place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded

• family-friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve

• chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on-the-job learning

• support for continued education and learning

• potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit

• truly unique work environment

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