EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – NB First Nations Health and Wellness Transformation Executive Director

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – NB First Nations Health and Wellness Transformation Executive Director

Term: December 1st, 2023 – March 31st, 2026, with the possibility of renewal

Overview:

The Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. on behalf of the New Brunswick Health and Wellness Transformation Advisory Committee, wishes to hire a NB First Nations Health and Wellness Transformation Executive Director to guide the New Brunswick First Nations’ Health Transformation process. The Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. hires on the basis of merit and is committed to workplace equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply; however, qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Please self identify.

This position will be known temporarily as the NB Health and Wellness Transformation Lead and will be administratively housed within the Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. Eventually, the title of the position will evolve into the Executive Director. This position will be guided by the work of the NB Health and Wellness Advisory Committee which consists of First Nations Health Directors, Elders, Youth and Tribal Council representatives.

The Tribal Councils in New Brunswick (Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc., Mawiw Inc., and North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council Inc.) are engaged in community-led processes to pursue self-determination in health and increase control over health services currently delivered by ISC-FNIHB.

First Nations Health Transformation is a collaborative process between First Nations partners, the federal government, provinces, and territories. The intent is to create a more coordinated health system in which First Nations-led health organizations assume greater control of the design, administration, management and delivery of health and wellness services and programs that support community wellness and address their health needs and priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership

  • Manage the implementation of the Health and Wellness Transformation process under the advice and guidance of the First Nation leadership and the Health and Wellness Transformation Advisory Committee.
  • Implement Health Transformation process goals and guide strategic directions.
  • Develop organizational and human resource capacity.
  • Leverage the Health Transformation team and align them with the Health Transformation process’ vision and goals and objectives.
  • Serve as a mentor and coach to staff.

Communication and Collaboration

  • Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate with New Brunswick First Nation Health Directors and health leaders to ensure strong community engagement in health governance and health transformation matters.
  • Build respectful relations with New Brunswick community members, Elders, and knowledge holders to inform health governance and health transformation work.
  • Work with regional Tribal Councils to establish communication structures for ongoing dialogue and consensus-building regarding First Nations Health Transformation in New Brunswick.
  • Prepare updates for the Health Transformation Advisory Committee, First Nation Health leaders, and community leadership.
  • Oversee and manage the effective and efficient day to day operations, including planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating strategic program work plans that incorporate and facilitate the vision, and strategic goals and objectives of Health Transformation.

Research, Policy, and Evaluation

  • Lead the exploration, research, and assessment of health governance and health transformation models to inform the process for Health Transformation in New Brunswick.
  • Develop plans, support materials, and platforms to advance health governance and Health Transformation.
  • Develop a guide for assessment and evaluation, which includes working with communities to identify benchmarks for improved access to healthcare and health services over time for First Nations people.
  • Identify accomplishments, opportunities, challenges, and barriers to transfer of health services.
  • Oversee and act as the primary contact for contracted consultants, as needed.

Partnerships

  • Support the development of new partnerships and structures that will strengthen First Nation health governance and Health Transformation moving forward.
  • Liaise with stakeholders, such as ISC-FNIHB, GNB Department of Health, Regional Health Authorities, and other organizations, as needed.
  • Foster relationships with other Health Transformation tables so New Brunswick First Nations can benefit from the experience of other tables.

Fiscal Management and Accountability

  • Manage financial resources, including preparing and monitoring budgets.
  • Negotiate funding.
  • Identify opportunities and prepare proposals for funding that supports health governance and health transformation.
  • Prepare reports for accountability and transparency, as scheduled.

Qualifications and Attributes

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree considered an asset) in health or a related field or a combination of related education/training and management work experience with at least 3-5 years of expertise in health management.
  • Significant experience in management in First Nations health and an understanding of First Nations’ cultural and linguistic context, particularly Wolastoqey and Mi’gmaq.
  • Extensive knowledge of on-going health issues and health care support systems with a solid understanding of the trends, directions, and models of delivery and governance that affect health care in New Brunswick.
  • Prior experience in health governance, research, evaluation, and project coordination.
  • Knowledge of First Nations cultural and spiritual traditions.
  • Demonstrated understanding of First Nations health context, priorities, and issues.
  • Self-directed and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Experience in community engagement, community/organization development, and partnerships with First Nations communities and/or Indigenous organizations.
  • Experience working with multiple levels of government (First Nations, provincial, and/or federal).
  • Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Fluency in Wolastoqey and/or Mi’kmaq an asset
  • Strong interpersonal skills that include the ability to engage in consensus-building and conflict resolution. 
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and deal with a building and changing workload.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize a wide variety of assignments using independent judgement and minimal supervision.
  • Experience building an organization is an asset.

Additional Notes:

  1. Applicants selected for an interview will be required to produce proof of a valid driver’s license at the interview. 
  2. The successful candidate must have regular access to a vehicle.
  3. Candidates who currently hold elected political office will not be considered for this position.
  4. This position may be hybrid.

Remuneration is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The salary range for this position is $95,000.00 – $130,000.00.  The Wolastoqey Tribal Council offers competitive salary and benefits to our employees. Working location is New Brunswick.

Applications should be submitted in confidence via email, with the subject line “Health Transformation” to: human.resources@wolastoqey.ca.  The deadline for application is November 9th, 2023.                                                                                                                           Note: Personal suitability will also be considered during the hiring process.