Indigenous Liaison Advisor | The Ombudsman

Work Location: Toronto or remote within Ontario (Hybrid work subject to operational requirements)

Role: Consultant

Engagement: 12-month contract, may be extended by mutual agreement

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND COMMITMENT TO RECONCILATION

The Ontario Ombudsman’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario. The City of Toronto, where our office is located, is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We are thankful to be able to live and work on this land, and we acknowledge the many treaties that overlay it. 

We believe in the significance of land acknowledgments as a way to recognize, respect and honour this territory, the treaties, the original occupants, their ancestors, and the historic connection they still have with this territory. 

As part of our commitment to reconciliation, our focus in the next few years will be on: 

1. Demonstrating our Office's dedication to serving the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982  in Ontario and expanding our capacity to do so;
2. Providing educational opportunities for our staff to help them learn more about our shared history and the harms that have been inflicted on Indigenous peoples; 
3. Working to establish mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities across the province; and 
4. Continuing to integrate recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls into our work. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this part of Turtle Island.

Who are We

The Ombudsman is a democratic institution, not a government department, and an essential element in states based on democracy, the rule of law, good administration and respect for rights. 

The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman was established in 1975 and takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of more than 1,000 public sector and government bodies in Ontario, as well as French language services and services provided in the child protection sector. 

As an independent, non-partisan Officer of the Ontario Legislature, the Ombudsman is appointed by all parties to ensure that the provincial government and public sector serve people in a way that is fair, accountable, transparent and respectful of their rights. 

We intervene to resolve or investigate issues involving government and public sector administration and make evidence-based recommendations for corrective action when necessary. We do so based on complaints or our initiative and are recognized internationally for the calibre and impact of our work.

The Role

Ombudsman Ontario is seeking a qualified and experienced consultant to provide the Ombudsman with Indigenous liaison advisory services. The successful proponent will play a critical role in advancing our commitment to facilitating engagement and building relationships with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities across what is now referred to as the province of Ontario, as well as better serving the Indigenous peoples who interact with Ombudsman Ontario, and embedding principles of Truth and Reconciliation across our operations. 

Ontario has the largest population of Indigenous people in Canada, which is growing at a faster rate than the non-Indigenous population. The Ombudsman seeks to engage with the constitutionally recognized Indigenous peoples within Ontario and raise awareness of all aspects of the office’s jurisdiction including in the areas of children and youth in care, justice, corrections, housing, health care, education, municipalities, and natural resources. 

Through its complaint handling and investigation of provincial and municipal issues, Ombudsman Ontario is an institution with a unique ability to identify and comment on emerging issues and propose improvements that enhance governance, such as  improving the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Ontario public sector agencies that provide services to them, and Indigenous peoples’ improved equal access to opportunities within those agencies

We acknowledge that we have much work to do to progress our commitment to a shared path for reconciliation, but the mission is to recognize, respect, and affirm the rich culture and history of Indigenous peoples in all that we do, including in our daily interactions resolving complaints and in our role as an effective agent of change addressing systemic issues. Ombudsman Ontario effectively addresses issues of concern and can uniquely contribute to reconciliation.

In addition to providing assistance to individuals from Indigenous communities, the Ombudsman aspires to playing a helpful role in informing nation-to-nation and government-to-government discussions.

Through the provision of advice and guidance to the Ombudsman as well as engaging with various other members of the Ombudsman Team, your services will include:

1. Leading the development and implementation of outreach and engagement strategies which establish, develop and maintain meaningful relations with Indigenous nations and communities throughout the province to raise awareness of Ombudsman Ontario and optimize equal access to and more culturally sensitive service delivery for Indigenous peoples.
2. Facilitating engagement and dialogue with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities, learning how Ombudsman Ontario can better serve and be more accessible to them.  
3. In partnership with assigned staff, translate feedback and information learned through engagement with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities into practical and achievable action plans to enhance our operations and service delivery for the benefit of Indigenous people living on lands located within what is now referred to as the province of Ontario.
4. Engaging in ongoing relational assessments and assisting with the evaluation of related implemented action plans, providing expert advice for continuing and new opportunities

Who are You

As an Indigenous person with established community networks and influence, you have a deep connection with your Indigenous identity, community and/or Nation who recognizes you as a member or citizen

You have excellent knowledge of the realities of Indigenous peoples and communities across the province, including the historical and cultural contexts of administrative operations, federal and provincial legal frameworks which apply to Indigenous peoples and can perpetuate historical disadvantages and inequalities of services and programs offered to Indigenous peoples.

You appreciate the intersections between the Indian Act and provincial responsibilities, the existence of Indigenous governments, jurisdiction and legal orders, and the nation-to-nation reconciliation work under way between Crown and Indigenous governments in Canada.

You bring your lived understanding of being Indigenous in Canada and take a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to your work, and have demonstrated political acumen and a capacity to influence.

You leverage and strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones with Indigenous people, leadership, organizations and communities across Ontario. 

You can analyze, synthesize and translate research and feedback into meaningful, actionable plans that align with Ombudsman Ontario's vision and mission and advance our commitment to better serving Indigenous people.

You are passionate about using your expertise and lived understanding of Indigenous practices and the harmful impacts of colonization to make a meaningful contribution to advancing Truth and Reconciliation principles for the benefit of all people living in Ontario.

You are distinguished for your relationship-building skills, having a great sense for human relations and superior interpersonal skills.  

Additional Requirements

• Citizenship or membership with a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis community or Nation of Canada as verified by the relevant community or Nation is a bona fide occupational requirement for this contract to best serve and liaise with Indigenous peoples, Nations and communities: Only proponents who are recognized as members or citizens by a First Nations, Metis, Inuit community or Nation in Canada will be considered. Applicants whose citizenship/membership is with a Nation or community in what is now Ontario are encouraged to apply. As part of your proposal, please indicate if you are a citizen or member of a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit community or Nation in Canada. Those who have submitted a Proposal and move to the next stage of the RFP process will be asked to submit documentation verifying their First Nations, Inuit or Métis citizenship/membership in accordance with our Indigenous Citizenship/Membership Verification Policy (Interim). Please contact Aoife Coghlan at the email address below if you have questions regarding the accepted type of verifying documentation. 
• Because of the role of institutional representation and the variety of documents to be written, the consultant sought for this position must excel in both oral and written expression. Mastery of the English language is mandatory. Knowledge of an Indigenous language and/or French is an asset.
• Proponents may be asked to submit a criminal record background check, and verification of references prior to their Proposal being accepted. If applicable, proponents' consent will be first obtained.
• The successful proponent will be required to travel within communities to participate in certain events and to meet with associations across the province. 
• Regular attendance at our office located in Toronto is also expected.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Office policies and the terms of the contract. 
• The successful proponent must be able to work remotely within Ontario, including having access to a computer, cell phone and a good internet connection.

Submission Requirements

In preparing your application, please consider the services desired and the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to deliver them expertly. 

Your proposal should include and will be evaluated based on, but not limited to, the following: 

• Your profile, including your unique qualities and strengths relevant to the services we seek
• Qualifications and how they enable you to deliver the services sought
• Experience with developing, implementing and evaluating outreach and engagement strategies
• Your existing relationships with and profile among Indigenous peoples, agencies and communities in Ontario
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies
• Knowledge of Indigenous political organizations in Ontario and their various committees
• Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous and government organizational structures and the operation of public agencies in Ontario and federally
• Your availability, including the time and resources you have available to commit to the position
• Cost (include rates and schedules for the 12 months)
• Declaration to the Ombudsman of Ontario of any situation that may be either a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest with the contractual obligations set out in this Proposal Document

References: 

Please provide a list of organizations to which you have provided similar services in the past three years, including the duration of each engagement, contact names, and telephone numbers.

We will only contact your references with your prior consent and if your proposal is being seriously considered.

Submission:

Please submit a written proposal by e-mail, no later than October 1, 2024, outlining how you meet the requirements and how you propose to deliver the services being sought, along with the associated costs:

Aoife Coghlan, Director, Organizational Strategy and Operational Support

Office of the Ontario Ombudsman

E-mail: acoghlan@ombudsman.on.ca

Any questions regarding this posting should be submitted in writing to the above e-mail address. Information considered supplemental to this posting will be distributed in an addendum to all respondents after the closing date, with an extension provided to update proposals submitted. 

In addition to being dedicated to building a workforce that reflects diverse talent, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible experience. If you require an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at careers@ombudsman.on.ca. 

We thank you for submission of your proposal, however only respondents selected will be contacted.