Senior Policy Advisor – Health

Please note:

This job posting will close on August 12, 2026, at 5 PM and this posting is for an existing vacancy.
Objective:
OFIFC Senior Policy Advisors are team leaders, mentors, and change makers who proactively support OFIFC Directors in the advancement of strategic policy priorities aimed at supporting Indigenous self-determination and improved quality of life in urban Indigenous communities.
To recommend through experienced policy advocacy, Indigenous-led solutions, strengths-based approaches, and fundamental changes to systems that do not work for Friendship Centre communities.
To directly address and maintain pressure on critical public policy priorities that create the conditions for continued oppression, marginalization, and lack of self-determination in Friendship Centre communities. Work is undertaken in alignment with organizational priorities and strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Research, Analysis and Advocacy (65%):
Performs comprehensive assessments of portfolio-related public policy, identifying potential social, economic, political, financial or legal impacts on the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) and recommending strategic approaches.
Serves as an organizational expert on key issues and leading practices through familiarity with data including research, government and stakeholder reports, policies, frameworks, legislation, laws, and statistics within area of responsibility.
Provides strategic advice to Policy and Program Directors, Policy Advisors, and Senior Leadership on public policy initiatives, working regularly with confidential information and making highly specialized/technical recommendations.
Leads the development of strategic approaches to the implementation, evaluation and amendment of public policy to create a supportive public policy landscape for urban Indigenous communities which supports increased self-determination.
Develops and communicates organizational positions through the development of frameworks, strategies, resources, and communications support.
Anticipates possible policy issues within area of specialization and their related social, political and economic impacts on Friendship Centres and acts to proactively address concerns.
Solicits, analyzes and integrates input from relevant parts of the OFIFC and member Friendship Centres to develop policy frameworks, strategies, and resources.
Promotes and champions government policy adherence to the Urban Indigenous Action Plan.
Considers policy issues wholistically and from intersecting lenses including impacts on Indigenous youth, women, 2

SLGBTQQIA+ community members, seniors and Elders.
Builds knowledge, awareness, and capacity across OFIFC and Friendship Centres of policy landscape and key opportunities for strategic development.
Prepares letters, briefing notes, sector research, reports, submissions, position papers, board reports, and applications while also coordinating larger department-wide initiatives.
Coordinating and contributing knowledge and training to a Policy community of practice at the OFIFC.
Makes portfolio-related presentations to large external audiences as required.
Participates on committees, government tables, and working groups to advance strategic organisational policy objectives and supportive public policy, including engagement with Directors and Assistant Deputy Ministers as required.
Manages multiple projects including supervision of staff, mentoring of staff, coordination with Friendship Centre staff, and preparation of budgets for approval by Directors and the Chief Engagement Officer.
Ensures OFIFC is compliant with policy deliverables according to funding agreements.
Contributes substantively to program and other evaluations as required.
Relationships/Partnerships/Support (35%):
Maintains and develops relationships with policy staff at all levels of government and with other stakeholders to advance supportive public policy.
Manages significant relationships with all levels of government, including with senior officials as required, maintaining confidentiality, diplomacy and influence.
Develops supportive and trusting relationships with Friendship Centre Executive Directors through…