Indigenous Scientific Director (204532)

Nova Scotia Health; Halifax; On-site; Part time

Job summary

Nova Scotia Health is seeking an Indigenous Scientific Director to enhance healthcare experiences for Indigenous people through cultural safety initiatives. This role involves collaboration with various health organizations, ensuring community involvement in research, and leading innovative healthcare projects aimed at improving access to culturally appropriate services.

Qualifications

• Independent worker with prior quantitative and/or qualitative research experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a large, multi-professional team.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Indigenous communities ensuring cohesive collaboration.
• Act as an advisory and lead for the initiative.
• Contribute to grant proposals and knowledge translation items.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Self-management

Education

PhD degree in health education or research-related field

Job description

Department / Program : Associated Research Research Services

Type of Employment : Temporary Hourly PT long-assignment (50% FTE) for 1 year x 1 position(s)

Union Status : Research Management / Non Union Bargaining Unit

Compensation : $59.3891 - $67.6172 / hour

Closing Date : June 11, 2025 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults, and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers, and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. We focus on training and mentorship opportunities, recognize talent, celebrate successes, and collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home. We are committed to our values and offer access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families, and communities, and grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care is important to us. We are located in Mikmaki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Working in Mikmaki and providing care across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people in Canada. We actively work to eliminate discrimination, build trust, acknowledge biases, and reduce barriers faced by our diverse communities. We aim for IWK Health to be a safe, supportive space of equity and belonging in both care and employment. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black / African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants / Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, or 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply, supporting our goal for a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Opportunity

The Etuaptmuk Wloti Initiative seeks to expand its team with an Indigenous Scientific Director. Using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, the initiative aims to improve healthcare experiences for Indigenous people by increasing cultural safety in education and healthcare settings across Nova Scotia. This involves developing and offering online courses, gathering and comparing health data, and providing targeted interventions to improve access to culturally safe care.

Through a Research Nova Scotia funded Focused Research Initiative, our partnerships include Tajikeimk Wijewinen Health Centre, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health, Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance, Wabanaki-Labrador Network, Hearing & Speech Nova Scotia, Department of Health & Wellness, Mikmaw Kinamatnewey, Accreditation Canada, and Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education. The Indigenous Scientific Director will work with Indigenous Clinician Scientists, Principal Investigators, Project Leads, and Teams to steward community and ethically driven research for communities across Mikmaki. Our goal is to create meaningful partnerships to improve access to culturally safe health and healing experiences for Mikmaw children and youth across Nova Scotia.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Liaise with Etuaptmumk Wloti Indigenous communities and partner organizations to ensure cohesive collaboration and timely progress meeting project outcomes
• Act as an advisory and lead for the initiative, ensuring an Indigenous scientific lens is incorporated and maintained
• Chair the Etuaptmumk Wloti Indigenous Advisory Committee
• Ensure Indigenous community involvement remains central and meaningful throughout all projects
• Coordinate regular team meetings to ensure strong leadership and engagement
• Ensure workplan milestones are met and reported on as required
• Attend Research Nova Scotia and Tajikeimk meetings to share progress updates
• Contribute to grant proposals and knowledge translation items such as PowerPoints, learning modules, art exhibits, etc.
• Attend presentations and knowledge sharing activities to disseminate messaging
• Assist with manuscript writing and abstract/presentation development

Hours of Work

Estimated 18.75 hours/week; M-F

Your Qualifications

• PhD degree from a recognized university in a health education or research-related field (preferred)
• Prior quantitative and/or qualitative research experience
• Independent worker able to work with minimal guidance while maintaining significant output
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to translate complex concepts into accessible products
• Ability to work collaboratively in a large, multi-professional team
• Works from a consensus-building perspective
• Effective remote work skills with strong self-management and leadership abilities

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we will only contact selected applicants. If invited to an assessment, you may request accommodations. Discuss your needs when invited.

This is a Management / Non-Union position. Preference is given to unionized employees. Applicants changing unions or employment status should clarify seniority benefits and vacation entitlements prior to accepting.

An employment offer is conditional upon background checks and credential verification.

If you are an internal employee, please apply via the internal careers page to be flagged as an internal applicant.

Required Experience :

Director

Key Skills

Invasive Cardiology, Logistics Distribution, Corporate Risk Management, Field Marketing, IT Sales, Administration Support