Indigenous Employee Experience Advisor - (218199)

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Indigenous Employee Experience Advisor (IEEA) role is an integral part of the Indigenous Recruitment & Retention team and involves offering specialized services tailored for Indigenous employees to promote a positive Indigenous employee experience. These services are grounded in a practical understanding of Indigenous-specific anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility, with the overarching goal of increasing Indigenous representation in the healthcare sector and fostering a thriving Indigenous employee workforce at Island Health.

Working closely with the Manager of Indigenous Recruitment, the broader Indigenous Recruitment and Retention and Indigenous Health Team, and corporate partners such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), HR, Compensation & Classification, and Respectful Workplace, the IEEA plays an instrumental role in advancing the development, delivery, and enhancement of Indigenous-focused employee retention practices and procedures. These efforts are geared towards facilitating the establishment of safe, culturally appropriate workforce policies and processes that yield positive outcomes for Indigenous employees. This involves ensuring that Island Health policies, practices, and campaigns align with and promote Indigenous-specific anti-racism, Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility and Relational Practice to support a thriving Indigenous workforce at Island Health. In addition, the IEEA will collaborate with the Indigenous Employment Advisors to ensure that internal Indigenous employees at Island Health receive necessary support during career and team transitions, especially those who may be encountering racism or adversity in their current roles.

The IEEA role is also dedicated to supporting Island Health in the implementation of the Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism (ISAR) Workforce policy. This policy outlines procedures for reporting and resolving incidents of Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination within Island Health's workforce aimed at creating a Zero-tolerance Environment for Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination while fostering a 'Speak-up' Culture. Additionally, this role involves taking an advisory approach in developing programs and supports that enhance the Indigenous Employee Experience. This includes initiatives designed to create a positive Indigenous employee experience through various means, such as fostering Indigenous employee networks, creating internal newsletters, and delivering specialized programming. Collaborative efforts within the Indigenous Health team and other portfolio teams across Island Health are essential in developing and delivering an Indigenous Employee Community of Practice.

The IEEA role is crucial in helping Island Health retain Indigenous employees to better reflect the diverse Indigenous communities it serves ultimately contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system. To effectively fulfil these responsibilities, the IEEA must demonstrate a deep understanding of the specific needs of client groups, initiatives, Indigenous-specific anti-racism, Cultural Safety & Humility, anti-racism efforts, trauma-informed practices, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles, as well as human resource issues. This understanding enables them to respond effectively to inquiries from leaders, employees, applicants, and Indigenous communities while ensuring the consistent application of relevant policies, collective agreements, and employment terms and conditions.