Make your mark in this executive role dedicated to strengthening Indigenous education in Ontario. This challenging opportunity will appeal to leaders who are passionate about making a significant impact on Indigenous learners in Ontario's postsecondary education sector.
As Director, Indigenous Education Branch, you will lead a team in planning, developing and implementing strategic directions, policies, programs, and resources to support access, success and inclusion of Indigenous learners in Ontario's postsecondary education system, in particular for the Indigenous Institutes pillar in Ontario.
You will manage and build effective relationships with a variety of Indigenous education partners and key postsecondary education sector stakeholders to develop and promote cooperative approaches and partnerships that promote and reflect First Nation, Métis and Inuit languages, cultures, world views and education needs.
An effective leader in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is responsible, innovative, and collaborative. A responsible leader is someone who demonstrates authenticity, accountability, and courage in how they interact with others. An individual who models ethical behavior, and who is honest and capable of making difficult choices. An innovative leader is someone who leads with common purpose, embraces positive disruption, and has a future mindset. An individual who inspires others, values continuous learning and encourages development and integration. A collaborative leader focuses on helping others to grow, drives people-centered outcomes and promotes an environment of inclusivity. A leader who consistently works to confront bias and systemic barriers while understanding the importance of creating a more diverse and accessible workplace.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
The OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions. To advance this goal, the OPS is collecting socio-demographic information that will help to address potential barriers and achieve equity in hiring. You are requested to complete the
voluntary survey and contribute to building a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive and accessible OPS.
The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous and racialized individuals and persons with disabilities.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.
The OPS offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.
About the job
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, you will:
• Direct the planning, development and implementation of strategic frameworks, policies, programs, and resources for postsecondary education sector
• Administer the ministry's programs and strategies which support the success of Indigenous learners across the postsecondary sector
• Develop strategic frameworks and planning for the development of the Indigenous Institutes pillar
• Administer ministry programs to support the success of Indigenous learners
• Lead the preparation of policy submissions for approval by senior ministry officials
• Develop and manage the Indigenous Education Branch budget
• Identify and prioritize critical Indigenous education issues and concerns as part of the annual budget-setting process
• Work closely with colleagues across governments to ensure a collaborative approach across the education and postsecondary education sectors
• Build and promote effective relationships with a variety of Indigenous postsecondary education partners and key stakeholders within Ontario
• Direct the development and implementation of strategies and activities to build and foster collaborative partnerships and strengthen linkages between the government, school boards, schools, postsecondary institutions, Indigenous Institutes and Indigenous communities
• Provide advice to senior management on Indigenous d postsecondary education policy and program development and stakeholder issues
• Ensure the Indigenous perspective is reflected and integrated in policy and program development across the Learning Ministries
• Support activities, learning and events in the ministry to expand knowledge of Indigenous peoples, histories and communities.
What you bring to the team
Executive Leadership
• You have leadership expertise and experience in education and/or advanced education, and the ability to serve as an effective representative between the Ministry and First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples, as well as all postsecondary education partners, in particular those recognized under the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017.
• You have proven expertise in innovative strategic planning, with an emphasis on the design and development of strategic partnership frameworks
• You support and promote a productive team environment which fosters a culture of excellence and creates an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible workplace
Relationship Management
• You have demonstrated ability to engage with Indigenous peoples and organizations to promote partnerships and respectful and inclusive relationships
• You have in-depth knowledge of the cultural and social trends and issues within the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education communities
• You have political acuity to anticipate and respond to politically sensitive situations
• You integrate both formal and informal processes to communicate and influence a broad range of stakeholders
Program Development/Education expertise
• You have general knowledge of the education, postsecondary education and training systems across Canada and the ability to participate in the development of initiatives to support Indigenous education
• You understand legal and treaty frameworks as they may impact Indigenous educational policy and program development