The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is committed to improving services and support for individuals living with mental illnesses and addiction issues, and to the promotion of mental health in Ontario.
As an organization, our commitment to equity strives to effectively meet the needs of diverse populations, in regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and intersectional identities. The work of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism (EDIAA) also acknowledges the history alongside the manifestation of harms in our sector, our organization, and our teams and the differential impact on priority populations.
CMHA Ontario’s commitment to EDIAA builds on data and research and a growing body of knowledge about disparities in access and outcomes as a result of systemic oppression and discrimination, and on how those differences play out in people’s social determinants of health.
To support this commitment, CMHA Ontario is seeking an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism Lead to work collaboratively across all areas of the organization to advance and embed principles, organizational practice and policies of EDIAA. Working both internally and externally with our Board of Directors, senior leadership team CMHA Ontario Division staff, local CMHA branches, consultants and various other stakeholders.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to support a respected healthcare association. Leadership is what you bring to the team. You are a builder, with the ability to convincingly promote innovative ideas and concepts while inspiring and motivating others to action. You are an authentic leader, collaborating with all stakeholders to provide the vision, expertise, energy, and excitement necessary to develop and move forward EDIAA across the broader membership.
The successful candidate must have a proven track record of engaging equity-seeking individuals and communities. They must have a deep awareness of and comfort in fostering expertise, innovation and an ability to facilitate discussions on topics of structural oppression, ableism, implicit bias, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism. This individual should be energized by the challenges and complexities of organizing and delivering material improvements in mental health and addictions and the reduction of enduring health inequities. This position requires a strong relationship builder and an effective communicator, with the ability to lead forward-thinking conversations that support unique partnerships between the mental health and addictions sector and communities in the service of community health.
CMHA Ontario recognizes the importance of trusted advisors with lived experience, and we invite and welcome applicants from equity-seeking groups.
Core Responsibilities:
The EDIAA lead will identify trends, opportunities, and gaps within CMHA Ontario and the branch network; support communications and advocacy efforts; review legislation and public policy; and recommend policy options that contribute to the advancement of mental health promotion and services for communities impacted by health inequities. The Lead will also support the development and delivery of high-quality programs and services across the association, providing information and advice to create fewer barriers and simpler access to mental health and addiction services.
The incumbent will coordinate projects that convene multiple stakeholders from a variety of organizations that serve CMHA Ontario stakeholders on related issues in mental health and addictions.
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Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging and best practices, health equity, mental health promotion approaches, research/clinical studies, and mental health and addiction issues affecting Ontario communities, and identify common themes and prepare articulated written analyses and short papers.
- Provide consultation and strategic guidance and advice, including resources and tools, to CMHA Ontario senior leadership, management and staff and CMHA branches to promote equity-based practices for community mental health and health equity.
- Lead accountability measures for health equity principles, practices, and standards across the association by developing and implementing a roadmap and coordinating regular evaluation of milestones.
- Participate in the development of knowledge transfer resources.
- Represent CMHA to strategic stakeholders across Ontario, including presenting and sharing information on community mental health and EDIAA.
- Coordinate and lead a community of practice for CMHA branches and a staff committee of CMHA Ontario on community mental health and addictions and EDIAA.
- Advise in areas of program development, address social determinants of health, quality improvement, and delivery to reduce mental health inequities across provincial programs and within local programs and services across CMHA branches.
- Drive the inclusion of and consultation and engagement with communities impacted by mental health inequities within CMHA Ontario, across our provincial CMHA branches, and with our government and sector partners.
- Proactively identify opportunities for improvements to policies, communications, programs and services to enhance health equity efforts.
- Prepare briefs, reports, submissions and presentations, and provide policy advice and leadership to provincial committees and working groups.
- Foster a culture of equity by providing learning and development opportunities and organizing equity-driven discussions for staff and partners (e.g., lunch and learns) in areas of community mental health and health equity.
Education & Experience:
- Graduate or post-graduate degree in health equity, public policy, social work, human rights, public health or a related field or equivalent years of relevant work experience is required.
- A minimum of 5 to 7 years experience in health equity policy analysis, health services research or health system development related to equity-seeking groups.
- Experience in program planning, development, and evaluation, as well as with social marketing and health promotion is required.
- Experience working in multi-sectoral partnerships and with government agencies and knowledge of the public policy environment in Ontario are required.
- Experience managing multiple projects and tasks within established timelines across numerous teams and stakeholder groups.
- Experience working in the mental health and addictions, or broader community and social services sectors is an asset.
- Experience providing advice and information through consultation on health equity is required.
- Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset.
Competencies, Knowledge and Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of health equity considerations, including but not limited to structural oppression, ableism, implicit bias, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism.
- Advanced knowledge of the mental health and addictions sector relating to equity-seeking groups.
- Familiarity with provincial directions in health equity and health care reform in Ontario is required.
- Familiarity with key concepts of health equity, human rights, mental health promotion, and social determinants of health.
- Familiarity with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Knowledge of relevant models of cultural programs/practices in mental health, addictions and health promotion.
- Ability to act, influence, and lead with diplomacy and sensitivity to cultural diversity.
- Critical listening and systematic thinking skills.
- Planning, problem identification, resolution and a nuanced understanding of the lived experiences and histories of health priority groups Ontario’s diverse Black & Indigenous & newcomers Communities & those of different abilities & LGBTQ2S.
- Business process/management skills.
- Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Excellent leadership, management, and stakeholder management experience.
- Strengthen relationships and collaboration with Indigenous and other racialized allies and organizations to address the effects and legacies of racism and discrimination.
- Commitment to continual learning and development within the changing landscape of health equity.
- Strategic deployment and management skills.
- Proficiency in quality improvement, performance improvement, and operations.
- Ability to work with multi-disciplinary departments across the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, prioritize, and accomplish goals.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism.
- Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
Working Conditions:
This is a full-time, permanent position working 35 hours/week. This position is based in Toronto, Ontario and travel is expected 1-2 times per month, possibly requiring an overnight stay depending on location. We are currently operating within a hybrid model, with colleagues working from the office 3 days/week and from home 2 days/week.
This role has an extensive online presence with extensive reading and online engagement. This position involves some moderate lifting, shipping and handling. Attendance at various meetings throughout the workday/workweek will be required; meetings may occur on short notice, depending on the circumstances.
This position is part of the OPSEU Bargaining Unit.
As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to maintain and submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals with relevant experience, people with disabilities, including people with lived experience of mental health and addiction issues and their family members. Accommodations at all stages of the selection process are available on request.
Salary Range: $86,767.20 - $90,834.41
