011 - Program Specialist, Mental Wellness

About the Role: 

The Program Specialist, Mental Wellness provides specialized program development, policy, planning, evaluation, performance monitoring, and quality improvement support to the Métis Nation of Ontario's Mental Wellness Program.

The position supports the ongoing development, standardization, implementation, and continuous improvement of Mental Wellness programs by leading and coordinating the development, review, and implementation of program policies, procedures, standards, tools, implementation plans, quality improvement initiatives, and program development activities. The Program Specialist works closely with Mental Wellness leadership and staff to identify program needs and service gaps, operational barriers, and improvement opportunities; analyze program information and data; develop evidence-informed solutions; and support consistent program practices across Adult and Child and Youth Mental Wellness services.

The Program Specialist supports program evaluation and the implementation of approved evaluation recommendations, monitors program performance and emerging trends, conducts research and environmental scans, and develops evidence-informed recommendations to support program planning, leadership decision-making, and continuous improvement.

What you will be doing: 

• Lead and coordinate program development, planning, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement activities for the Mental Wellness Program in alignment with MNO and Community Wellbeing Branch strategic goals and funder requirements.
• Identify and advance program and system level improvement opportunities by examining service pathways, program interfaces, processes, trends, gaps, and emerging needs, and develop evidence-informed recommendations to support service and system improvement.
• Develop, review, and support implementation of Mental Wellness policies, procedures, program standards, processes, tools, workflows, and resources to promote consistent program delivery.
• Coordinate and support program performance measures and accountability frameworks, including monitoring program data and supporting accurate and consistent data collection, documentation, and reporting.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative program data to identify trends, service gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement, and provide evidence-informed recommendations to Mental Wellness leadership.
• Coordinate program evaluation activities and implementation of approved evaluation recommendations, including developing action plans, tracking progress, identifying barriers and risks, and reporting on outcomes.
• Support implementation of program, policy, process, and system changes by developing implementation plans, tools, communication materials, training resources, monitoring mechanisms, and other supports required to facilitate effective adoption and sustainability.
• Conduct research, environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, and literature reviews related to mental health and addictions programs, policies, service models, leading practices, and emerging system trends.
• Review and assess program processes and service delivery approaches to identify inefficiencies, duplication, operational barriers, service gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement, and develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations.
• Develop and maintain key program documentation, including program manuals, guidance documents, process maps, implementation plans, templates, and other operational resources.
• Coordinate staff education and implementation support related to new or revised policies, procedures, systems, standards, documentation requirements, and program processes.
• Coordinate assigned special projects and strategic program initiatives, including project planning, implementation, monitoring, feasibility analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare reports, briefing notes, presentations, analyses, and recommendations to support program planning, leadership decision-making, funder requirements, and organizational reporting.
• Collaborate with the Quality Analyst, Service Provider Liaison, Supervisors, Navigators, administrative staff, and other CWB programs to ensure program development, quality improvement, provider processes, and operational practices are aligned.
• Participate in committees, working groups, consultations, and cross-program initiatives and contribute Mental Wellness program knowledge, data, research, and recommendations as required.
• Provide specialized program development, policy, evaluation, research, planning, and continuous improvement expertise and support to the Manager and Mental Wellness Supervisors as required.
• Promote the values of the organization within the workplace and community, comply with health and safety requirements, and perform other job/branch-related duties as required.

Qualifications: 

• 3 to 5 years of experience related to mental health and addictions, health programming, program development, program evaluation, policy, research, social services, or a related field.
• University Degree in health sciences, public health, health promotion, social work, psychology, public administration, public policy, community developmentor a related field
• Experience integrating trauma-informed approaches into work.
• Experience monitoring, tracking, analyzing, and reporting performance measures.
• Experience working with client case management systems, particularly in quality assurance, performance monitoring, or data analytics.
• Experience developing or reviewing policies, procedures, program standards, processes, or operational resources.
• Experience supporting program evaluation and/or implementation of evaluation recommendations.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, and problem-solving skills to identify, analyze, and recommend solutions to complex program issues.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate project deliverables using project management software or other established project-management processes.
• Strong desire to act in the service of Métis citizens and to advance and uphold Métis rights and culture.
• In-depth understanding of program development, monitoring, and evaluation methodologies.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including survey design, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of mental health and addictions programs, systems, services, and emerging practices.
• Knowledge of Métis-specific and broader Indigenous approaches to mental health, wellness, and community wellbeing.
• Understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools, intergenerational trauma, systemic barriers, and social determinants of health on Indigenous mental wellness.
• Familiarity with how health and mental wellness policies and programs are developed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated in government or community-based settings.
• Understanding of data sovereignty, confidentiality, privacy, and ethical standards when working with sensitive and culturally specific information.
• Demonstrated understanding of policies, processes, practices, and documentation used to deliver program services.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop evidence-informed conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong analytical, research, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of technology literacy and proficiency with standard office technology.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Competence with data analysis tools and survey platforms.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong policy, procedure, report, and resource-development skills.
• Strong organizational and time/priority-management skills.
• Highly detail-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands and assess changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to assess situations and problem-solve independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively across programs and organizational levels.
• Ability to support implementation and organizational change.
• Knowledge of applicable privacy legislation, including PHIPA, FIPPA, and PIPEDA.
• Valid G-class driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Willing and able to travel throughout Ontario and occasionally throughout Canada to support Mental Wellness Program and Community Wellbeing objectives and training.
• Willing and able to occasionally work outside regular Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours.