First Nations, Inuit or Métis Data Advisor

This opportunity is for independent advisors only. The successful advisor will sign an advisor agreement with the Partnership and will operate as an independent contractor. Advisors are not considered Partnership employees.

Division overview

The Cancer Systems and Innovation plays a key role in the engagement of partners in Canada’s health system and broader cancer community who are critical to implementing practice and policy changes that deliver on the priorities of the 2019-2029 Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. The division works with the Partnership’s program teams and system partners to develop work plans, monitor progress, and regularly assess new and evolving work to ensure it aligns with the eight priorities of the Strategy. The Strategic Partnership leads communications activities to support and profile the collaborations that drive towards the outcomes of the Strategy. The division also oversees a special agenda of working alongside First Nations, Inuit and Métis to advance People-specific priorities and actions, outlined in the Strategy, by co-developing and implementing solutions to improving cancer care for those in these communities.

Overview of role

The Partnership is committed to working alongside partners to measure and report on the self-determined cancer system priorities and actions that matter most to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, as outlined in the refreshed Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (Strategy) and in Call to Action #19 of our Commitment to Reconciliation. The Partnership engages with experts and knowledge holders across the country to advance opportunities for embedding distinctions-based, self-determined priorities in cancer system performance reporting, and to advance First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led initiatives in data and data governance.

We are seeking a First Nations, Inuit or Métis Data Advisor with expertise in First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis data and data governance principles to join us in this important work. The role will work closely with the System Performance team to provide strategic leadership around developing a partner engagement approach that centers First Nations, Inuit and Métis knowledge systems, and to support the planning and facilitation of Steering Committee meetings. The role will ensure the work is grounded in distinctions-based, culturally relevant approaches, and in alignment First Nations, Inuit and Métis data governance principles.

Advisor responsibilities and activities

• Advancing the Partnership’s Commitment to Reconciliation by bringing their own unique cultural lenses and knowledge into the work
• Providing strategic guidance to the System Performance team in developing a partner engagement approach that centers First Nations, Inuit and Métis knowledge systems and ways of knowing, being, and doing
• Supporting the planning and facilitation of regular meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners via Steering Committees or 1:1 meetings
• Engaging First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners and relevant interest holders to identify shared cancer data priorities, particularly in relation to First Nations, Inuit and Metis identity data and administrative health data linkages
• Upholding and embedding First Nations, Inuit and Métis data governance principles throughout all project processes
• Researching potential data sources for cancer system performance indicators prioritized by First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, such as for cancer outcomes, and participating in meetings with data holders
• Developing and reviewing content related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led data initiatives, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis identity data and indicators, to support Partnership reporting   
• Planning and facilitating in-person meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to advance this work 
• Participating in knowledge sharing to enhance internal knowledge of best practices in working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners

Experience and qualifications

• Experience in working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, governments or organizations is required
• Knowledge of and experience in upholding and embedding First Nations, Inuit or Métis data governance principles and practices is required
• Knowledge of and experience in working nationally and providing strategic advice to senior leadership is considered a strong asset. This includes experience working with First Nations, Inuit or Métis political bodies, non-Indigenous governments, and regional/provincial/territorial healthcare organizations.  
• Demonstrated engagement with cultural awareness/safety learning is considered a strong asset
• Demonstrated facilitation, presentation, engagement, partnership development, and co-creation skills is considered a strong asset
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Teams)
• Bilingual in both English and French or a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis language is an asset

Term of the contract

The successful individual will be hired on a contract basis for a 12-month term from time of hire, with a possibility of up to two additional 1-year extensions.

The Advisor will be able to commit up to 20 hours per month, with an understanding that the workload will vary depending on the phase of the work. The Advisor must be able to attend meetings with the Partnership and partners during Partnership’s core business hours (10:00am-3:00pm ET) at a time mutually agreed upon. The Advisor can be located anywhere in Canada, as the Partnership is a pan-Canadian organization. 

Expression of interest

Email a letter of interest along with a resume in one file (Word or PDF format) to peopleandculture@partnershipagainstcancer.ca  by September 14, 2026.   

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kim Tran by email at: kim.tran@partnershipagainstcancer.ca.     

Our process may involve the use of AI-assisted tools throughout screening, assessment and selection. Final decisions are made by management after full consideration of each individual’s application.