Engagement Consultant

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 61,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Relocation reimbursement

Orientation & learning

Job summary

CHEO is seeking an Engagement Consultant to provide expertise on meaningful engagement principles and practices within the Knowledge Institute. You will support Ontario child and youth mental health services and lead development of engagement tools and training for partners across the province.

The role involves coordinating with staff, living experts, and leadership, and requires strong facilitation, project management, and the ability to work in a consultative model across organizations.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work within a consultative model
• Demonstrated group facilitation and adult education skills
• Independent worker and self-directed learner
• Bilingualism (English/French) is a plus

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise in youth and family engagement to develop engagement supports to projects.
• Act as an internal expert to the Knowledge Institute team on engagement principles and practices.
• Provide consultation to leaders and teams at CYMHA agencies across Ontario as they implement quality standards for engagement.
• Plan, develop and deliver training on meaningful youth or family engagement practices for CYMHA providers and leaders.
• Lead the development of engagement-related knowledge products and tools.
• Lead or participate in networks related to youth and family engagement principles.

Education

Master’s degree in psychology, sociology, health systems policy, health administration or a related field

Job description

Compensation Pay Range: $44.50-$55.63

Job Description: Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. CHEO is one of the few stand‑alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system. Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world‑class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health‑care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Engagement Consultant will provide expertise, guidance and consultation on meaningful engagement principles and practices to Knowledge Institute teams and projects to support its partners, including Ontario’s child and youth mental health and substance use health/addictions lead agencies and their service area partners. The Engagement Consultant will also lead the creation of relevant knowledge products and tools to mobilize the latest evidence on engagement topics, directly with organization staff and leaders in the sector. The Engagement Consultant has advanced knowledge, skills and expertise in engagement principles and practices, including youth and/or family engagement, ideally achieved through on-the-ground experience supporting project‑level, organizational‑level or system‑level engagement at an organisation. Reporting to a manager, the Engagement Consultant will coordinate their work with other Knowledge Institute staff members, including those with lived expertise, as well as with members of the leadership team.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Apply expertise in youth and family engagement to develop engagement supports to projects (e.g., examples, templates, resources from the quality standards for youth and family engagement). Act as an internal expert to the Knowledge Institute team on engagement principles and practices. Provide consultation and guidance to leaders and teams at CYMHA agencies across Ontario as they work to implement quality standards for youth and/or family engagement and/or meaningful engagement within projects. Plan, develop and deliver training on meaningful youth or family engagement practices for CYMHA service providers and leaders across the province either in person or virtually. Offer consultation on meaningful youth or family engagement practices for CYMHA service providers and leaders. Evaluate trainings and consultations and make improvements to the content and/or delivery as required. Lead the development of engagement‑related knowledge products and tools that meet the needs of partners in the CYMHA sector. Work with other Knowledge Institute team members (e.g. communications team) as required in product development. Lead or participate in key provincial or regional efforts, communities of practice or networks relating to meaningful engagement, bridging evidence‑based programs/practices with lived expertise in the child and youth mental health and addictions sector. Convene regional and/or provincial networks to inform the latest evidence base of youth and family engagement principles and practices. Develop, implement and evaluate new partnerships relating to the engagement practices and principles in the mental health and substance use health and addictions sector. Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of Knowledge Institute programs and initiatives to respond to emerging needs of the sector and to strengthen or enhance Knowledge Institute programs. Help to profile the work of the Knowledge Institute to external and internal partners. Perform work in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all CHEO corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety. Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in psychology, sociology, health systems policy, health administration or a related field (Essential) Minimum of 5 years of experience in applying engagement practices at an organizational or system level through planning and leading engagement efforts, guidelines or evidence‑based practices in health care or child and youth mental and addictions settings. (Essential) Advanced knowledge of engagement principles and practices in youth or family engagement acquired through both work experience and an understanding of research literature (Essential) Demonstrated ability to work within a consultative model with experience working with agencies at organizational or system level (Essential) Demonstrated skills in group facilitation and adult education (Essential) Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with a broad range of internal and external partners, including tact and adaptability (Essential) Experience working with, and knowledge of, the child and youth mental health and substance use health and addictions system (Preferred) Experience in partnership with diverse populations such as Indigenous, BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities (Preferred) Independent worker and self‑directed learner (Essential) Strong verbal and written communication skills (Essential) Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to meet timelines and deliverables, and ability to manage competing priorities (Essential) Valid Ontario driver’s license; Some travel across the province will be required to attend meetings, events and conferences (Essential) Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential) Bilingualism (English/French) (Preferred) Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic/experience requirements *Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre‑screening. Pre‑screening might include testing. Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre‑screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested. Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

HIGHLIGHTS AND BENEFITS

• A career at CHEO provides a: competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded family-friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on‑the‑job learning support for continued education and learning potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit truly unique work environment
• We were given this honour based on our outstanding: workplace atmosphere benefits employee communications training and skills development community involvement

EEO STATEMENTS

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth's health and well‑being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career.