Project Manager II VP Research Office

Indigenous Health Research Specialist Job Posting

Overview

Unity Health Toronto is committed to advancing Indigenous reconciliation across all aspects of its mission, including research. As part of this commitment, the research institute recently launched a dedicated Indigenous Health Research stream to support the growth, coordination, and impact of Indigenous-led and Indigenous-partnered research across the organization. We are currently recruiting a part-time Indigenous Health Research Specialist to strengthen our institutional capacity to support Indigenous-led and Indigenous-partnered research.

This role provides dedicated leadership and coordination for Unity Health’s Indigenous Health Research stream, working with internal teams and Indigenous partners to develop, align, and advance Indigenous-specific research practices, governance, and partnerships. It directly supports Unity Health’s commitment to reconciliation by helping to build the structures, relationships, and policy alignment needed to ensure research is conducted in ways that are respectful, community-informed, and maximizes benefit for First Peoples.

Key Responsibilities

Support the development and implementation of annual strategic objectives for the OVPRI and OVPRI leaders that advance Indigenous specific, decolonizing, and reconciliatory research practices, and optimize the social value of research at Unity Health for First Peoples.

Co-lead with OVPRI and Indigenous health research scientists, staff, and Indigenous community research partners, and facilitate the development and maintenance of a thriving and vibrant Indigenous health research community at Unity Health that cuts across all pillars.

Facilitate and support Indigenous Health Research stream and additional strategic governance and coordination activities, including meeting documentation and action tracking as well as identifying opportunities to: strengthen partnerships; advance Indigenous governance, approaches, and practices; embed Indigenous reconciliation and anti-racism principles and practices; and enhance institutional culture and practice.

Support Indigenous health research scientists and staff with specialized Indigenous research focused pre- and post-grant supports, harmonization of research administration processes, policies, and practices as needed.

With support and direction from leadership, review and provide Indigenous focused input/feedback on research policies, procedures, and operational practices and ensure that research at Unity Health is contributing to tangible Indigenous community benefits. This may involve preparing reports, briefings and recommendations to support leadership decision-making that advances Indigenous reconciliation

As time allows, participates in the development, coordination, and execution of various Indigenous Health Research related events/activities aimed at promoting Indigenous health research at Unity Health

As time allows, provide Indigenous-specific research guidance and resource links to research teams at Unity Health who are wanting to improve the social value of their research for First Peoples.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years of experience in Indigenous health research within an academic, governmental, health service, or research institute setting.

Lived Indigenous life or work experience including rooted knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, Indigenous community contexts, and Indigenous governance structures, across nations and geographies.

Demonstrated experience building and sustaining respectful, reciprocal research relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders/Grandparents, and service partners.

Demonstrated knowledge of culturally responsive and ethical Indigenous specific research approaches, grounded in reciprocity, relational accountability, community benefit, and decolonizing research practices.

Demonstrated ability to design, conduct, and disseminate Indigenous health research in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations.

Leadership experience in advancing Indigenous research and Indigenous community research requirements within institutional settings including demonstrated ability to apply and advance Indigenous-specific principles and paradigms and the Calls to Action for Indigenous reconciliation to research design, partnerships, teams, and learners.

Knowledge and demonstrated application of additional anti-oppressive and health equity frameworks and the ability to harmonize with Indigenous community research requirements and Indigenous reconciliation.

Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, coordination of multiple workstreams, and follow-through in complex research environments.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience contributing to reports, presentations, grant applications, and knowledge translation materials.

Sound judgment, diplomacy, and strong analytical and critical-thinking skills when navigating complex, sensitive, or equity-related issues.

Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., health sciences, social sciences, Indigenous studiesOR a combination of formal education and relevant professional and community-based experience.

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

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