Manager, Indigenous Health Policy

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Health Policy and Planning, the Manager provides leadership, strategic advice, and coordination on Indigenous health policy, strategy, and engagement initiatives. This role plays a key part in identifying emerging issues, analyzing strategic responses, and supporting the Ministry’s commitments to Indigenous health and wellness.

The job responsibilities include:
Key Responsibilities
•    Lead and manage research, policy development, and strategic initiatives that advance Indigenous health priorities across the Ministry.
•    Build and maintain strong relationships with system partners and stakeholders—including First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, federal and provincial governments, and community organizations to inform policy advice and strategic direction.
•    Develop policy statements and positions that clarify federal, provincial, and First Nation, Métis and Inuit roles and responsibilities in health.
•    Lead and support recommendations for integrating provincial health services with Indigenous communities to improve health outcomes.
•    Support data collection, analysis, and reporting on Indigenous health outcomes in collaboration with internal and external partners.
•    Lead and contribute to inter divisional and inter ministerial initiatives to align Indigenous health work across government.
•    Provide expertise on Indigenous health issues and support Primary and Preventative Health Services’ contributions to cross government Indigenous policy and programming (e.g., Jordan’s Principle, UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, Residential Schools, MMIWG, Human Trafficking, distinctions based federal health legislation).
•    Lead development of policy positions related to federal distinctions based health legislation, including cross ministry working groups, engagement strategies, and briefing materials.
•    Lead development and implementation of strategies and policies to address various issues experienced by Indigenous Peoples in health care, including engagement plans, briefing materials, and cabinet documents.
•    Participate in cross jurisdictional committees and projects related to Indigenous health.
•    Assist leadership on health programs associated with the Indigenous components of the Modernization of Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative.

Role Responsibilities continued

Unit and Branch Leadership
•    Support effective Unit and Branch operations, including recruitment, coaching, staff development, supervision, and performance management.
•    Manage contracts and budgets, ensuring compliance and effective vendor performance.
•    Contribute to strategic and business planning, translating goals into actionable work plans.
•    Collaborate with Unit and Branch managers to integrate work across teams for improved efficiency and impact.
•    Proactively identify emerging issues and advise Branch, Division, and Department leadership.
•    Lead development of briefings, analyses, and action requests within required timelines.
•    Support continuous improvement of Unit and Branch operations.
•    Manage day to day operations of direct reports and foster cross training and professional development to build team capacity.

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.

Systems Thinking
•    Understand how decisions ripple across teams, timelines, and long term goals. 
•    Seek insight into the implications of different options, including part time and full time impacts.
•    Analyze long term outcomes with a focus on organizational goals and values.
•    Identify potential unintended consequences before they arise.

Building Collaborative Environments
•    Create spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered. 
•    Leverage the diverse skills and knowledge of colleagues.
•    Genuinely value and learn from others’ perspectives.
•    Facilitate open, respectful conflict resolution.
•    Recognize and appreciate the contributions of others.

Drive for Results
•    Take ownership of outcomes and work with others to exceed expectations. 
•    Plan effectively using experience and data.
•    Hold yourself and others accountable for delivering results.
•    Partner across teams and groups to achieve shared objectives.
•    Aim to consistently exceed performance expectations.

Agility
•    Adapt quickly and confidently in changing environments.
•    Identify opportunities to improve work processes.
•    Anticipate change and adjust your approach accordingly.
•    Stay optimistic, calm, and composed under pressure.
•    Seek advice and support to navigate change effectively.
•    Work creatively within established guidelines.

Creative Problem Solving
•    Approach challenges with curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement. 
•    Ask thoughtful questions to fully understand problems.
•    Explore new ways to improve results and activities.
•    Examine different work methods and share learnings from successful projects.
•    Gather diverse data and perspectives to make informed choices.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in a field related to public administration, policy, health, social sciences, indigenous relations and political science, supplemented by four years related 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: 
•    Lead the development of forward looking policies that reflect emerging trends, evidence, and community needs.
•    Provide strategic advice and direction on Indigenous health issues, including culturally informed approaches to health policy and service delivery.
•    Build and maintain strong working relationships with Indigenous communities, government partners, health organizations, and other stakeholders.
•    Manage complex, multi layered issues with competing priorities while maintaining focus on positive outcomes.
•    Facilitate constructive dialogue and conflict resolution in sensitive or high stakes situations.
•    Support long term strategic planning, including identifying risks, opportunities, and unintended consequences of policy options.
•    Prepare briefings, recommendations, and analysis for senior leadership

The following experience is considered as assets:
•    Coordinate and manage complex policy files, ensuring alignment with Alberta’s priorities and Indigenous policy commitments.
•    Prepare briefings, recommendations, and strategic analysis for senior leadership.
•    Support bilateral and multilateral engagement processes, including consultation, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

The following experience will be given preference:
•    Analyze legislation, policy frameworks, and consultation processes to assess impacts on Indigenous health service delivery.
•    Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with First Nations, Métis communities, Indigenous organizations, and other stakeholders.
•    Contribute to long term planning, identifying risks, opportunities, and emerging issues affecting Indigenous health policy.

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

Hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week in downtown Edmonton.

If a security screening is required:
•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
•    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.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is recommended to assess your writing skills.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

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
•    Leadership and mentorship programs