Indigenous Innovation Lab Associate – Youth Stream

As an Indigenous-led and -governed platform, the Indigenous Innovation Initiative empowers First Nation, Inuit and Métis innovators to develop and test innovative ideas that benefit their communities and advance reconciliation, while also benefitting non-Indigenous people and the Land. We do this through a gender-lens investment approach that provides flexible grant funding and culturally rooted wrap-around supports that meet innovators where they are at. We are hosted at Grand Challenges Canada, where we receive operational support from an expert team of individuals across various portfolios.

Indigenous Innovation Lab Associate – Youth Stream

We are seeking an Indigenous Innovation Lab Associate to play a key role in creating the youth stream of an innovation lab that supports Indigenous youth and communities across their innovation journeys, where they will create solutions that impact Indigenous mental health and well-being and climate justice (focus areas are informed by the Indigenous Mental Health Project). Reporting to the Indigenous Innovation Lab Manager and working closely with others across the team, the Innovation Lab Associate – Youth Stream will have the following core responsibilities:

• Create the following types of protocols, processes, tools, networks, and resources to support innovators and communities at each stage of their journey (this is not an exhaustive list):
  • Onboarding process and supports
  • Journey navigation process and supports
  • Capacity support templates, tools and resources to support innovators as it relates to budgeting and finances, business planning and development, articulating and pitching their ideas, goal and objective setting, impact measurement, storytelling, marketing, communications, networking, grant applications, due diligence activities, etc.
• Support planning and implementation of other activities as needed, for example innovation jams or community engagements
• Lead risk and issue management as it relates to the above

This is a dynamic and evolving scope of work, and the above responsibilities will expand over time.

Key attributes and experience we are looking for in an Indigenous Innovation Lab Associate for the youth stream:

• Strong understanding of Indigenous contexts in Canada
• Education or experience with a focus on business, commerce, innovation, entrepreneurship, innovation lab development, etc.
• Understanding of approaches that lift Indigenous youth up and that will support them across their journeys
• Experience developing the tools, resources, processes, and protocols required to support Indigenous innovation or Indigenous businesses, organizations, and projects
• Adaptable, flexible, and willing to contribute to the co-creation of the Indigenous Innovation Lab
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality and excellence
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to be proactive
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with an ability to work well independently and as a team
• Creative and innovative spirit, and openness to take meaningful risks

Travel within Canada will be required (post COVID). Grand Challenges Canada is committed to supporting equal opportunities to this position – please advise if you require any accommodations and we will support them as needed. We especially invite First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples and youth to apply.

Vaccines (COVID and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

If we invite you to an interview, you are encouraged to become familiar with the following foundational resources that guide all aspects of the work that we do:

• Inquiry and Learning Bundle
• Indigenous Knowledges and Data Governance Protocol
• Shared Values and Principles of Indigenous Knowledges Creation and Application

If you are interested in making your contribution at UHN, please apply on-line. You will be asked to copy and paste as well as attach your resume and covering letter. You will also be required to complete some initial screening questions.

Posted Date: October 14, 2021                             

Closing Date: October 28, 2021