Senior Policy Advisor – Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) (3 year contract)

Objective:

To take initiative in the design, development, coordination, implementation, and analysis of the transformation and expansion of urban Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) infrastructure. By advocating for supportive and cohesive public policy that advances systematic change that achieves the administration and delivery of urban IELCC programs and services through Friendship Centres.

Key Deliverables:

• To recommend through experienced policy advocacy, Indigenous-led solutions, strengths-based approaches, and fundamental changes to systems that do not work for Friendship Centre communities.
• To directly address and maintain pressure on critical public policy priorities that create the conditions for continued oppression, marginalization, and lack of self-determination in Friendship Centre communities. Work is undertaken in alignment with organizational priorities and strategic plan.
• To develop and maintain systems change engagement approach with multiple levels of government to advance the OFIFC’s policy priorities for urban IELCC infrastructure that reflects the needs of Friendship Centres.
• To recommend Indigenous-led solutions, strengths-based approaches, and fundamental changes that address the inequalities experienced by urban Indigenous communities in accessing affordable, and culturally relevant ELCC programming and services.
• Conduct analysis and research to inform the development of a robust governance model to support Indigenous control of Friendship Centre IELCC programs from external partners to the OFIFC.
• Support the development of a provincial framework for IELCC licensing and business practices that supports culturally responsive ELCC programming in Friendship Centres.
• Collaborate with the external partners to support the transfer of funding and administration responsibilities of Friendship Centre IELCC programs to the OFIFC.
• Facilitate engagements and collaborate with Friendship Centres to inform the development of a governance model, support enhanced learning and to build capacity.
• Collaborate with Friendship Centres to develop high quality standards and definitions for IELCC programs and business practices to enhance access, affordability, and availability.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Research, Analysis and Advocacy (70%):

• Performs comprehensive assessments of portfolio-related public policy, identifying potential social, economic, political, financial or legal impacts on the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) and recommending strategic approaches;
• Serves as an organizational expert on key issues and leading practices through familiarity with data including research, government and stakeholder reports, policies, frameworks, legislation, laws, and statistics within area of responsibility;
• Provides strategic advice to Policy and Program Directors, Policy Advisors, and Senior Leadership on public policy initiatives, working regularly with confidential information and making highly specialized/technical recommendations;
• Leads the development of strategic approaches to the implementation, evaluation and amendment of public policy to create a supportive public policy landscape for urban Indigenous communities which supports increased self-determination;
• Develops and communicates organizational positions through the development of frameworks, strategies, resources, and communications support;
• Anticipates possible policy issues within area of specialization and their related social, political and economic impacts on Friendship Centres and acts to proactively address concerns;
• Solicits, analyzes and integrates input from relevant parts of the OFIFC and member Friendship Centres to develop policy frameworks, strategies, and resources;
• Promotes and champions government policy adherence to the Urban Indigenous Action Plan;
• Considers policy issues wholistically and from intersecting lenses including impacts on Indigenous youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members, seniors and Elders;
• Builds knowledge, awareness, and capacity across OFIFC and Friendship Centres of policy landscape and key opportunities for strategic development;
• Prepares letters, briefing notes, sector research, reports, submissions, position papers, board reports, and applications while also coordinating larger department-wide initiatives;
• Coordinating and contributing knowledge and training to a Policy community of practice at the OFIFC;
• Makes portfolio-related presentations to large external audiences as required;
• Participates on committees, government tables, and working groups to advance strategic organisational policy objectives and supportive public policy, including engagement with Directors and Assistant Deputy Ministers as required;
• Manages multiple projects including supervision of staff, mentoring of staff, coordination with Friendship Centre staff, and preparation of budgets for approval by Directors and the Chief Engagement Officer;
• Ensures OFIFC is compliant with policy deliverables according to funding agreements;
• Contributes substantively to program and other evaluations as required.

Relationships/Partnerships/Support (30%):

• Maintains and develops relationships with policy staff at all levels of government and with other stakeholders to advance supportive public policy;
• Manages significant relationships with all levels of government, including with senior officials as required, maintaining confidentiality, diplomacy and influence;
• Develops supportive and trusting relationships with Friendship Centre Executive Directors through the advancement of key priorities of member Friendship Centres;
• Participates in Friendship Centre field visits and takes responsibility to address key issues relayed from Friendship Centre Executive Directors;
• Participates in capacity support to Friendship Centres by promoting and facilitating stakeholder relationships at the local level, assisting in local advocacy, and communicating funding opportunities;
• Consults with member Friendship Centres to examine the effectiveness of existing public policy to identify required improvements and support implementation;
• Organizes and leads engagements with Friendship Centres to communicate organizational positions, refine advocacy, and support capacity development;
• Shares policy expertise and provides support to other OFIFC workgroups on key projects or initiatives as requested.
• Acts as chairperson, technician, facilitator, spokesperson in fora or meetings convened to discuss relevant public policy directions or responses.

Education/Work Experience:

• Post-secondary education in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant discipline
• 3-5 years’ experience in policy advisory role
• Experience in project management an asset

Behavioural Competencies:

• Strategic & Analytical Thinking
• Creativity & Innovative
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Initiative & Self-Motivated
• Integrity & Credibility
• Strict Confidentiality

Technical Competencies:

• Knowledge of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and its regulations, as well as other ELCC legislation and frameworks.
• Experience working within the Indigenous non-profit policy sector;
• Superior understanding of the development, analysis and implementation of public policy, including legislation, regulation, and policy frameworks;
• Strong familiarity with government organizational structures, political theory, the policy cycle, and legislative processes;
• Excellent ability to synthesize multiple ideas and complex information into a coherent summary, to communicate concepts clearly, and to make cogent recommendations for the modification or creation of legislation, policies, and programs;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to be persuasive while maintaining tact, clarity, enthusiasm, and accuracy for varied audiences;
• Ability to advance creative solutions toward the achievement of strategic objectives;
• Ability to meet multiple competing deadlines and to produce high-quality policy products including correspondence, submissions, position papers, and briefings at short notice

What we offer:

• Culture-based organization
• Pay Range: $80,000 – $98,000
• Comprehensive Health benefits after the probationary period including Health Care Spending Account & Lifestyle Spending Account
• Hybrid working model (2 days in office)

The OFIFC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce; we promote employment equity and encourage applicants to indicate if you belong to one of the four designated employment equity groups Women, Indigenous peoples, Persons with disabilities, or Members of visible minorities when you apply.  Preference will be given to qualified Turtle Island Indigenous people or members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis including treaty, status or registered Indigenous people, as well as those non-status and non-registered who self-declare as such.

Accommodation:

The OFIFC is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.