Director, Partnerships and Collaboration

Role Responsibilities

This role involves working closely with Indigenous communities, organizations, government partners, and stakeholders to create impactful health policies, strategies, and recommendations that prioritize the well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations.

As the Director, Partnerships and Collaboration, you will lead initiatives to improve health outcomes, enhance relationships between Alberta Health and Indigenous communities, and support evidence-based strategies that guide provincial health services. You will play a critical role in shaping the health landscape for Indigenous populations, ensuring their voices are heard, and their needs are met within Alberta's healthcare system.

The job responsibilities include:
Strategic Partnership Development & Policy Advice:

• Build and leverage strategic relationships with system partners, stakeholders, and Indigenous communities (including Elders) to guide the development of policy, strategies, and research.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Alberta Health’s relationships with Indigenous communities to improve health outcomes.
• Lead data collection, analysis, and reporting on Indigenous health outcomes in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide policy recommendations to integrate provincial health services with Indigenous communities.
• Align ministry and cross-ministry Indigenous health initiatives through inter-divisional and inter-ministerial collaboration.
• Provide expert advice on Indigenous health issues and contribute to the government’s Indigenous policy, programming direction, and national frameworks (e.g., Jordan’s Principle, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, TRC Calls to Action).
• Represent Alberta Health on external committees and cross-divisional projects.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Develop and maintain strong networks within Indigenous communities, including Elders, to act as a liaison between Alberta Health and Indigenous stakeholders.
• Foster trust and build lasting relationships with Indigenous organizations, communities, and partners to achieve mutual goals.
• Lead engagement with Treaty 8 First Nations, the Blackfoot Confederacy, Métis Nation of Alberta, and regional Indigenous organizations to enhance health outcomes and strengthen collaborative actions.
• Provide advice on Alberta Health’s engagement with Indigenous Services Canada, FNIHB, and other relevant federal and provincial agencies.
• Contribute to the development of policies and strategies for health service delivery to Indigenous populations within Alberta Health Services.
• Represent Alberta Health at Indigenous health forums and collaborative action groups, promoting health system improvements.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Unit and Branch Operations:

• Lead all aspects of Unit and Branch management, including recruitment, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Support budgeting, contract management, and ensure the team works efficiently within resources.
• Lead business planning and reporting efforts to transform goals into actionable plans for the Unit, Branch, and Division.
• Collaborate across teams to improve effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of unit and branch operations by identifying emerging issues and opportunities for innovation.

Executive Leadership Support:

• Assist the Executive Director in managing Branch operations, human and financial resources, and ensuring outcomes are delivered according to plan.
• Define and align team responsibilities to achieve specific initiatives.
• Support the Executive Director in navigating complex relationships and political landscapes, working with Indigenous communities to maximize health benefits.
• Act on behalf of the Executive Director during vacations or absences.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Build Collaborative Environments:

• Involve a wide group of stakeholders in outcome-driven initiatives.
• Share resources and provide coaching to resolve conflicts effectively.
• Use enthusiasm to motivate and guide others toward common goals.
• Acknowledge and leverage diverse perspectives for optimal outcomes.

Agility:

• Create opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Adapt to changing priorities while remaining objective under pressure.
• Support others in managing their emotions and navigating change.
• Proactively communicate the impact of changes and seamlessly integrate them into workflows.

Systems Thinking:

• Take a long-term, holistic approach to challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipate potential outcomes and seek stakeholder perspectives.
• Develop strategies and plans aligned with organizational values and objectives.
• Collaborate with others to identify and leverage areas for growth.

Creative Problem Solving:

• Employ a wide range of techniques to break down complex problems.
• Encourage creative thinking and foster an inclusive environment for idea sharing.
• Facilitate collaboration by bringing together the right individuals to address issues.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions that drive organizational success.

Drive for Results:

• Proactively address and forecast project challenges.
• Remove barriers to collaboration and the achievement of outcomes.
• Uphold principles while confronting problems directly and with integrity.
• Align solutions with the broader mission and goals of the organization.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in Education, Public Administration, Health and Native Studies, supplemented by seven years progressively responsible experience.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following experience is required: 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a diverse range of audiences, including First Nations and Métis communities.
• Strong project and business management knowledge and experience.
• Strong, demonstrated people management skills and the ability to articulate and implement a vision and common direction in a changeable environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, crucial to developing and maintaining strategic working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Strong decision-making abilities and proven abilities to manage politically sensitive issues.
• Knowledge of administrative structures in the health system, including service delivery organizations and related partners, such as Alberta Health Services, Primary Care Networks, and Indigenous Services Canada's programming. 
• Sound knowledge of Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures, and communities, as well as contemporary research and current issues in Indigenous health.
• Sound knowledge of Indigenous administration, organizational structures, and working environments, particularly in relation to health.
• Good working knowledge of federal legislation and policies impacting Indigenous peoples, including an understanding of jurisdictional issues in Indigenous health. 
• Sound knowledge of provincial legislation and policies affecting Indigenous peoples, and health care.
• An understanding of legal and political aspects of government policy development to meet Indigenous health needs. 
• An understanding of Indigenous peoples' health needs, as well as cultural and societal concerns, which affect Indigenous interactions with the health care system.
• Experience working in a First Nation or Métis community organization or similar environment would be an asset.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• A master’s degree.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Individuals with Indigenous cultural knowledge will be preferred. 
• Six years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Broad knowledge of government decision-making processes, objectives, goals, and strategies.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits 
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs