Indigenous Health Research Program Manager

March 4, 2025

Indigenous Health Research Program Manager

Job ID: 22116

Deadline to Apply: 2025-03-24

Target Openings: 1

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the world’s largest and most respected paediatric academic health sciences centres. We conduct and translate groundbreaking research to improve patient outcomes and clinical care. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for successive years (2016-2024), we train the next generation of researchers, and support our scientific communities with comprehensive research services, operations and facilities.   SickKids Research Institute is home to over 2,000 researchers, trainees, and staff working together to take on the toughest challenges in child health.

The SickKids Research Institute operates seven integrated Research Programs spanning the organization, built around world-ranking scientists, ambitious trainees, and state-of-the-art infrastructure that spans a full spectrum of investigative approaches to health research. We aim to hire an Indigenous Research Program Manager who will support SickKids faculty, trainees and staff whose research engages or has implications for Indigenous peoples, lands, cultures, knowledge or communities. This role is integral to creating and supporting an environment that strengthens Indigenous health research, community, education, and culture throughout the SickKids organization. Duties of the Indigenous Health Research Program Manager will advance institutional change with respect to supporting Indigenous research in a culturally sensitive way. This position will report into Director, Faculty & Trainee Support with support from the SickKids Health Equity & Inclusion Office.

Here’s What You Will Get To Do:

  • Maintain a strong understanding of the literature and legislative requirements of Indigenous research frameworks set by the Tri-Agencies and other granting agencies.
  • Develop frameworks and implement best practice and policy for processes related to Indigenous research ethics, and Indigenous research data sovereignty and health research design, methodologies and practice.
  • Provide guidance on grant proposals and research projects that engage or have implications for Indigenous peoples, lands, cultures, knowledge or communities, in all stages of the research process (opportunities, study design, methodology, data collection, budgets, protocols, etc.).
  • Build subject matter expertise/advise on Tri-agency policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affiliation relative to research grant funding (i.e. Canada Research Chair program, etc.). Partner and collaborate with Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN), Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, CGEn  (Canada’s national platform for genome sequencing and analysis), academic institutions across Canada, and provincial and federal initiatives to advance Indigenous research best practice.
  • Provide culturally sensitive guidance and education to the SickKids Research Institute on policies, guidelines and research training programs to help ensure they include and value Indigenous methods of research, communication, community-building, collaboration, and decision making. Implement online resources to grow awareness and knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies and how to incorporate these considerations into the research process.
  • Build meaningful relationships with organizational partners, community organizations, leadership, and other academic institutions to advance Indigenous knowledges and practices in the research ecosystem.
  • Create relationships with Indigenous students and organizations locally and provincially to facilitate their participation and mentorship in our collective programming and research education initiatives. Embed best practices of including, valuing, and supporting Indigenous trainees throughout research careers and development, supporting our SickKids Kids Science program (high school and summer students) and SickKids Research Training Centre programs (undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate) and administration.
  • Support the SickKids Indigenous Internal Working Group as a partner.
  • Create, monitor, and facilitate successful delivery of projects and milestones.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Essential Requirements

  • Completion of an undergraduate degree.
  • A a graduate degree or equivalent work experience in health sciences.
  • The incumbent must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) with lived experience.
  • Deep knowledge of Indigenous research knowledge generation methodologies, processes and design and Indigenous research data governance.
  • Minimum 5 years experience with project management, development, implementation, evaluation and oversight.
  • Experience in organizing and drafting reports, provide briefing materials and recommendations to a range of audiences. Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
  • Experience in technical skills, including database management, statistical analysis, learning modules, Excel and relevant computer software.
  • Strong interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation and problem-solving skills.

Assets: 

  • Experience in health research and/or health sciences.
  • Experience working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Traditional Healers would be desirable. Knowledge of Indigenous organizations and community resources in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area would be an asset.

Here’s what you’ll love

  • This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage including but not limited to; health, dental and life insurance. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of offer.
  • A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
  • A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
  • The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
  • For more on why you¿ll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site.

Employment Type:

  • 35 hrs/week
  • 1.00 FT Permanent
  • Hybrid work model

SickKids commitment to building an equitable and inclusive environment: SickKids sits on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, Toronto is home to Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island in the territory currently known as Ontario.  SickKids recognizes the history of colonialism and on-going inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. These inequities have occurred and continue to occur within health care institutions. SickKids is striving to continue its journey of truth and reconciliation to advance the quality of care, safety, and staff well-being; advancing the vision of Healthier Children: A Better World.

To apply, please visit: https://career.sickkids.ca:8001/psc/CRPRD/CAREER/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=22116&PostingSeq=1