Come work as a Policy Advisor, Cultural Safety with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

We recognize that our places of work and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) facilities lie on the traditional, unceded homelands of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Ulkatcho, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa Nations.

As part of VCH’s deep commitment to cultural safety and humility, the organization seeks to create culturally safe practices and relationships with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities, with an aim to transform care and improve patient experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in the VCH region.

Reporting to the Policy Director on the Legal Team, with a matrix reporting structure to the Director of Strategic Operations, Performance and Partnerships in Indigenous Health, the Policy Advisor, Cultural Safety (the Policy Advisor) supports the Policy Team to bring a cultural safety and Indigenous-specific anti-racism (ISAR) lens to all policy development at VCH. The Policy Advisor participates in the writing and editing of policies, supports the identification of policy gaps and priorities at VCH, and collaborates with teams and community partners across VCH and beyond to help the Policy Team to develop excellent policies that address cultural safety and ISAR for clients, patients, families, and VCH staff, and rigorous policy processes informed by authentic engagement with Indigenous community partners and Indigenous knowledge and ways of working.

This role is extremely collaborative. The Policy Advisor works closely with all Policy Team staff, Indigenous Health, and other VCH teams—including Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Community Engagement—to support excellence in policy and to nurture relationships that uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the Policy Team and VCH.

As a Policy Advisor, Cultural Safety with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Provide feedback on draft policies and collaborates with Indigenous Health to engage appropriate Indigenous Health team members and other key community partners in the review of policies.
• Identify strategies to decolonize and Indigenize VCH Policy Team processes.
• Conduct research to identify best practices in policy development.
• Draft policy language that appropriately upholds cultural safety in policies, collaborating with Policy Team members.
• Support policy leads to understand the importance of including cultural safety in policy.
• Review existing policies and provide editorial and content recommendations to support alignment with VCH cultural safety and ISAR goals.
• Identify and analyze emerging health system issues, data, and trends such as Ministry of Health Communiqués, legislation changes, public policy developments, and new reports and studies related to cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism in health care.
• Project manage cultural safety policy and ISAR related initiatives identified by the Policy Director.
• Provide subject matter expertise on cultural safety and ISAR in policy to committees and initiatives at VCH.
• Liaise with cultural safety and ISAR policy leads across the province to identify opportunities to enhance VCH policies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided by the Policy Team with sensitivity to diversity and Indigenous people’s needs and experiences.
• Exercise considerable judgment, tact, and discretion in preparing, disclosing, and handling information of a confidential or sensitive nature.
• Develop educational materials to support cultural safety and ISAR in policy development.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately report unsafe situations by notifying the Policy Director or other appropriate personnel.
• Attend the offices of the VCH Legal Department and Indigenous Health in person regularly and on dates identified by the Policy Director or the Director of Strategic Operations, Performance and Partnerships to support team collaboration. Attend meetings in person at other locations occasionally to support the work of the Policy Team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Graduation from a recognized post-secondary Masters program focused on Indigenous studies, law, community development, social work, or other relevant area of study, plus three (3) years of experience in policy development, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience will include a minimum of two (2) years working for an Indigenous, Métis, or Inuit organization or program.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants who self-identify as Aboriginal (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to explain complex and sensitive concepts in plain language (both verbally and in writing).
• Familiarity with planning and aligning to the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Act, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, the concepts of cultural safety and ISAR.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health issues, and especially the determinants of health, legislation, and public policy affecting Indigenous peoples.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rapid policy reviews and draft memos and other communication materials for senior staff.
• Familiarity with and the ability to understand complex healthcare or other related systems.
• Ability to foster and maintain positive relationships with various teams, sectors, and communities.
• Exemplary interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding listening, collaboration, and team building skills that facilitate coordination and cooperation with the demonstrated ability to lead with both courage and humility.
• Ability to be resilient, flexible, and creative in approaching complex problems.
• Strong ability to multitask effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Models personal integrity and accountability, and is a committed team player.
• Passion for equity and inclusion in healthcare.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Competence in relevant software, such as Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.