Director, Indigenous Engagement

Staff – Non Union

Job Category

M&P – AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried – Administration, Level G

Job Title

Director, Indigenous Engagement

Department

Health Engagement | Dean’s Office | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$10,072.67 – $15,738.08 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 3, 2021

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary

The Director, Indigenous Engagement provides vision, strategic leadership and diplomacy in advancing the Faculty’s relationships with Indigenous peoples and will be responsible for further development and implementation of the Faculty’s Response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). This position will play a pivotal role in establishing meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations to ensure reciprocity, cultural safety and collaborative partnerships in the implementation of the Faculty TRC responses. They will also help develop consistent, open channels of communication within the Faculty and will consult with senior leadership of the Faculty, the University, and external health sector and community partners with respect to Indigenous programming and initiatives. The Director will challenge and inspire the Faculty community to meet its obligations and commitments to advance human rights for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and in support of the Calls to Justice of the report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the recommendations in the In Plain Sight report.

The Director will report to the Vice-Dean Health Engagement, and will have support from an advisor and other staff within the Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI). They will liaise with the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs, the Special Advisor to the VP Health and Dean of Medicine on Indigenous Health, the UBC Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives, and the various UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) Implementation Committees as appropriate as well as cross-discipline Indigenous initiatives and activities through UBC Health. The Director will ensure that issues affecting Indigenous presence and experiences within the Faculty are identified and will engage in consultation and decision-making across the Faculty to ensure Indigenous perspectives are embedded in Faculty governance and education standards across all Faculty programs. They will fulfill their role in supporting Indigenous inclusion in the Faculty through meaningful, authentic consultation, effective advocacy and collaborative decision-making, drawing on colonial lived experience.

Organizational Status

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 24 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

Work Performed

Key Responsibilities as Director, Indigenous Engagement:
Lead the further development and implementation of commitments and action plans expressed in the Faculty’s Response to the TRC Calls to Action.

Strengthen the Faculty’s relationships and engagement with Indigenous leaders, organizations and communities through active authentic consultation and collaboration on matters affecting Indigenous participation in the Faculty and on issues influencing Indigenous health and in particular on matters related to the responses to the TRC Calls to Action.

Assist the Faculty community to meet its obligations and commitments to advance human rights for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and in support of actions that help address the Calls to Justice of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report and recommendations in the In Plain Sight report.

Provide advice to the Faculty on Indigenous inclusion and on interpersonal and systemic issues affecting Indigenous students, staff and faculty; keep the Vice Dean Health Engagement informed on important developments in Indigenous relations and issues in British Columbia (BC), Canada, and the world.

Participate as a leader and/or Faculty representative in internal and external committees and councils relevant to engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities. Will be a member of the UBC ISP Executive Advisory Committee that provides advice to the Executive Team on ISP implementation.

Develop reciprocal and respectful working relationships with members of various committees and offices including but not limited to: the Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs; the UBC Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives, the President’s Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Affairs (UBC-V); the Aboriginal Advisory Committee (UBC-O); Office of the Vice President, UBC Health, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic (UBC-V); the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (UBC-O); the Vice-President, External Relations; and Indigenous Nations and communities in BC.

Maintain close relationship with the UBC Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health.

Lead the Faculty’s implementation plan to meet deliverables of the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan through engagement with the Indigenous Strategic Plan implementation committees.

Participate in the implementation of the Dean’s Task Force on Respectful Environments recommendations to ensure an Indigenous perspective is embedded in implementation initiatives.

Develop and maintain close relationship with the Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and participate as a member of the working group to support and coordinate implementation of actions in the Transforming Culture Initiative ensuring that an Indigenous perspective is included.

Encourage understanding of and respect for Indigenous knowledge and its meaningful inclusion in programs, services and curricula across the Faculty .

Serve as a role model and mentor for Indigenous students, staff and faculty.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position will lead the development of effective and respectful working relationships that will impact the planning, implementation and success of the Faculty of Medicine’s TRC response and initiatives. Failure to perform effectively would cause significant loss of credibility and reputation, and undermine support from participants, internal and external collaborators, stakeholders, and senior administration.

Supervision Received

Will manage or co-manage positions within the portfolio including that of Indigenous Initiatives Advisor who will be responsible for operationalizing the implementation of the TRC Calls to Action and will work closely with the Office of REDI on Indigenous issues related to the learning and work environments.

Will provide direction to project managers or other staff engaged to implement major initiatives within the Office.

Supervision Given

This position reports to the Vice Dean, Health Engagement, Faculty of Medicine and the Executive Director, Office of REDI.

Minimum Qualifications

In-depth knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the impact of the colonial legacy on Indigenous health and other social issues. Preference will be given to candidates with experiential knowledge of Indigenous peoples, culture and history.

Must have experience with Indigenous knowledge systems and values and be able to provide guidance and support on cultural context and protocol across the Faculty.

Demonstrated Indigenous engagement and relations experience with communities in British Columbia including demonstrated experience development, implementation and management of complex projects and initiatives and a demonstrated ability to work within a collaborative environment.

Experience building partnerships and working with Indigenous community members, governments, and organizations.

Demonstrated experience as a relationship builder and trusted liaison, by demonstrating integrity and being authentic, collaborative, inclusive, and a creative problem solver.

Ability to promote Faculty perspectives and objectives and be diplomatic and culturally safe when managing issue-related conflicts and negotiations.

Excellent communications skills and an ability to manage difficult conversations while remaining issue focused and inclusive.

Excellent interpersonal and team building skills and must be able to actively engage and work with external and internal stakeholders.

Ability to demonstrate good judgement, deal with complex and sensitive issues, engage at a strategic level, and be a leader who can play a key role guiding and supporting Faculty decisions on Indigenous issues and relations.

Preferred Qualifications