Senior Program Officer – Specialist, Program Delivery (Anticipatory) *See "IMPORTANT MESSAGES"

Important messages

***IMPORTANT: If you submitted your application prior to 6:00 pm Eastern time on Monday, August 28, 2017, please review the text questions and revise your answers accordingly.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SCREENING QUESTIONS:

In addition to your application, you are required to answer screening questions in order to clearly demonstrate with concrete examples how you meet each essential education and experience qualification, as well as any applicable asset qualifications listed. Resumes will only be used as a secondary source to validate the information provided in your answers to the screening questions. Failure to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential screening criteria will result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

Please note that responses such as “See CV” or “Refer to résumé” are unacceptable responses to any of the questions. Failure to provide sufficient information will result in the rejection of your application.

Asset qualifications MAY be used for screening or when selection candidates for appointment, therefore, if you meet the Asset qualifications listed below, please be sure to clearly demonstrate this in your application.

The responses to the screening questions MAY be used to assess the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Duties

• Promote program and service options and various community based program management alternatives within First Nations communities;
• Provide technical support and guidance to First Nations, Health Boards/Committees, community leaders, health staff and band members in the planning, development, management and implementation of a comprehensive community health plan and resource plan to facilitates the community control of their own health programs, services and resources;
• Facilitate the implementation, management and communication of any new community based programs/initiatives;
• Provide advice and guidance relating to the options for various types of Contribution Agreements and transfer of health services to First Nations Governance;
• Advise Senior Management on community-based issues (program, political, crisis), status on the transfer of health services, status of various regional working groups/initiatives, status of pilot projects;
• Manage the operating budgets within the various programs to ensure that financial reporting requirements are satisfied and the budgets are used efficiently, effectively and economically;
• Negotiate, prepare, manage and monitor contracts and various types of contribution agreements with First Nations communities and organizations, and other professional organizations/institutions;
• Execute various administrative activities such as preparing correspondence, briefing notes, variance reports, field reports, annual work plans, travel expense claims, presentation plans and packages, etc.
• Liaise with Managers at both Local and Regional levels and other federal/provincial government and/or organizations on community health initiatives as requested.

Work environment

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch – Ontario Region (FNIHB-ONT) is responsible for the provision of public health including environmental health and health promotion services to status Indians living on reserve and to Inuit people. FNIHB-ONT provides primary care services in remote communities through nursing stations, health centers and health stations where there are no readily accessible provincial health services. FNIHB-ONT also manages the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program for First Nations individuals registered to Ontario Bands. FNIHB-ONT manages funding arrangements with First Nations communities for a diverse set of health promotion and disease prevention programs. To better organize operations and maintain effective relationships with First Nations, FNIHB-ONT is structured according to three (3) geographic areas: Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Ottawa.

FNIHB-ONT has longstanding relationships with the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) as a coordinating body for health policy and advocacy for most First Nations in Ontario. FNIHB-ONT also liaises directly with the four First Nation Provincial and Territorial Organizations (PTOs) of Ontario and the Independent First Nations as well as 18 Tribal Councils. FNIHB-ONT works closely with our Provincial partners and other Federal departments such as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

Intent of the process

The intent is to create a pool of Aboriginal qualified candidates using the Aboriginal Peoples Employment Program, which aims to strategically increase Aboriginal representation with First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. As such, Organizational Needs will be applied and first consideration will be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to Aboriginal peoples. This pool may be used to staff future vacancies on a temporary (Term) or permanent (Indeterminate) basis within Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. A Deployment, Acting Appointment, Secondment/Assignment may be offered to qualified employees of the public service.

This job concept currently exists within Health Canada, First Nations & Inuit Health Branch, Ontario Region with positions geographically located in Ottawa (Ontario), Thunder Bay (Ontario) and Sioux Lookout (Ontario). Sioux Lookout (Ontario) is considered as an Isolated Post.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience in working collaboratively with clients and stakeholders to negotiate and arrange for programs and/or services.

Experience in conducting research and analysis on current and future program needs and emerging and potential issues.

Experience working effectively with First Nations, Inuit or Métis people.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Experience working in the Grants and Contribution Information Management System (GCIMS).

Experience in providing advice and guidance to Senior Management on multi-program issues.

Knowledge of First Nations and Inuit Health Branch’s programs and policies.

Knowledge of First Nations communities within Ontario.

Organizational Needs:

In alignment with the Aboriginal Peoples Employment Program in support of increasing Aboriginal representation in areas having the most impact on program delivery and health outcomes of FNIHB’s target population, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to Aboriginal peoples.

Aboriginal candidates must use the Aboriginal Affiliation Form (AAAF).

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of program administration theories, principles, methods or practices.

Knowledge of departmental policies, processes, guidelines or standards.

Ability to communicate effectively orally

Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Ability to deliver presentations

Aboriginal cultural competency *

Thinking things through

Working effectively with others

Showing initiative and being action-oriented

Respectful of diversity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Must possess and maintain a valid Class “G” driver’s license without restrictions issued by the Province of Ontario or other provincial equivalent.

Willingness to travel frequently to isolated and non-isolated communities using a variety of transportation, such as: small aircraft, boats, snowmobiles, cars, all-terrain vehicles in all weather conditions.

A valid Category 1 medical clearance – Preplacement (including dependents) as per section 4.2 of the Isolated Post and Government Housing Directive for positions in Sioux Lookout (Ontario).

Undertake a Category 1 periodic health evaluation (including dependents) in accordance with Appendix A of the Occupational Health Evaluation Standard Schedule for positions in Sioux Lookout (Ontario).

Other information

Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this selection process.

You must apply on-line via PSRS.

Reference checks will be conducted.

A written exam may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Candidates may be required to provide original proof of education as part of this appointment process.

Candidates with foreign educational credentials are required to provide proof of Canadian equivalency.
You may consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials at www.cicic.ca for
further information.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails). Time sensitive correspondence may be transmitted via email and it will be the candidate's responsibility to ensure they check their email regularly.

LEAVE OF ABSENCES DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS: It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Human Resources Advisor of any pre-approved leave throughout the duration of this selection process in order to facilitate scheduling of evaluations. Also, only one alternate date will be offered to the candidate if required for the following exceptional reasons: 1) Medical reasons with doctor’s certificate; 2) Death in your immediate family; 3) Confirmation of pre-approved travel plans or training plans; 4) Religious reasons.

A top down selection MAY be used at certain stages of the assessment.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
If you are working in the Public Service of Canada, please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

Virtual work arrangements may be available and will be determined on a case by case basis dependent on operational feasibility at the time of hiring. This does not imply telework; rather it means working from a Health Canada office within a Regional setting. The employee will be expected to perform all functions of the positions remotely from a Health Canada office but report to a manager who is working in another location.

Accommodations during assessment are available. If you are invited to be assessed, you will receive further information on the steps required to request accommodation measures throughout this staffing process. Please note, that detailed information about your functional limitations will most likely be required, and will be addressed confidentially.

Please note, the definition of Aboriginal Cultural Competency * for Health Canada is:
The term Aboriginal cultural competency includes knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and refers to the ability to work effectively with Aboriginal peoples from different cultural backgrounds, or in settings where cultures coexist. It includes the ability to communicate and understand the culture and behaviours of other individuals and groups, and to make appropriate recommendations.

Successful candidates will be required to provide original documentation of proof of Canadian citizenship.

The Affirmation of Aboriginal Affiliation Form (AAAF) will be sent for your completion by Human Resources once your application has been received.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.