Background

At Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey V, BC First Nations, by a historic level of consensus, adopted Resolution 2012-01. This Resolution provided further direction and guidance for the development of the new First Nations health governance structure, of which the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a key component.  Based on the direction provided in Resolution 2012-01, the FNHA has established a nine member Board of Directors to collectively work and make decisions for the benefit of all BC First Nations, regardless of residence. The nine member Board includes: five Board members selected from nominations of First Nations in the five Regions (Fraser, Interior, North, Vancouver Coastal and Vancouver Island) and four Board members chosen at large. 

The final decision on appointments to the FNHA Board of Directors is made by the FNHA Members.

First Nations Health Authority

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a non-profit Society governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Society's 15 members (themselves appointed by BC First Nations). The FNHA head office is based out of West Vancouver, BC and provides health and wellness programs and services to First Nations province-wide. Its mandate from BC First Nations includes:

• • Administering First Nations health programs and services in BC.
• • Administering initiatives at a population and public health level, including establishing infrastructure for province-wide initiatives such as data collection and information management and technology.
• • Planning, designing, managing, delivering and funding First Nations health programs and carrying out other health and wellness related functions.
• • Collaborating with the BC Ministry of Health and health authorities to coordinate and integrate health programs and services to achieve better outcomes for First Nations.
• • Influencing the health industry to promote First Nations inclusion.
• • Incorporating and promoting First Nations knowledge, beliefs, values, practices, medicines and models of health and healing into First Nations health programs, recognizing regional differences.
• • Establishing standards for First Nations health programs.
• • Collecting and maintaining clinical information and patient records and developing protocols for data and information sharing.
• • Modifying and redesigning health programs and services delivered by the FNHA through a collaborative and transparent process with BC First Nations to better meet their health needs.
• • Promoting community health and wellness to advance healthy individuals, families and communities, and to assist in building community capacity.
• • Engaging BC First Nations through Regional Tables on regional and local interests and health care needs.
• • Enhancing collaboration among First Nations health providers and others to address economies of scale in service delivery.
• • Carrying out research and policy development.
• • Partnering with Federal and Provincial governments and health service providers to develop and redesign health programs, services, policy and legislation to meet First Nations health needs and priorities.
• • Maintaining appropriate financial records and preparing financial statements for audit.
  

Responsibilities

In alignment with the strategic direction of the FNHA Members, the FNHA Board of Directors is responsible for making decisions of benefit to all BC First Nations, and acting independently and solely in the best interests of the FNHA. The Directors are expected to uphold the Society as an organization committed to ongoing learning, development and transformation, informed by appropriate performance indicators and regular evaluation and reflection. The key governance functions of the FNHA Board of Directors include:

• Overseeing the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic plans.

• Overseeing the development and implementation of a reporting system to measure and communicate performance.

• Approving and monitoring compliance with policies.

• Approving and monitoring budgets.

• Overseeing the development and implementation of risk management processes, systems and reports.

• Participating on Board Committees, as required.

• Providing direction to, and monitoring the performance of, the Chief Executive Officer.

• Holding legal liability and meeting applicable corporate governance requirements.

• Reporting to members of the FNHA and to First Nations in BC. 

Competencies 

The FNHA Board, as a whole, shall reflect a broad range of skills and experience. The specific competencies sought for the FNHA Board of Directors, as adopted by BC First Nations, are as follows:

• Prior Board experience with a positive record of accomplishment, including solid understanding of Board legal and fiduciary responsibilities.

• Extensive and proven experience in successfully running a large operation or working at a senior management level and managing organizational change and development.

• Private health sector with a strong financial and business background.

• Knowledge of, and experience with, First Nations, federal, and provincial health systems, programs and services.

• Experience in tripartite processes, building and maintaining successful partnerships with governments and others organizations, and managing competing priorities amongst diverse partners and stakeholders.

• BC First Nations individuals highly preferred, and regardless, a high degree of cultural competency and knowledge of BC First Nations communities (including rural, remote, urban, and other issues facing First Nations).

• Experience in strategic planning, health planning, financial planning, and community development.

• Qualities of intelligence, strategic thinking, perceptiveness, good judgment and common sense, maturity, ethics, integrity and fairness.

• Time, energy, interest and willingness to serve as a Director of the FNHA, including a commitment to learning and an appreciation of the significance of the work.

• Desirable qualifications include CA or similar designation, MBA or comparable university degree, degree of a designated health care professional (or equivalent experience).

• Board members should reflect healthy living – emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. 

Eligibility 

Residents of British Columbia are eligible to apply for the FNHA Board of Directors, with the exception of:

• Elected or hereditary First Nations leaders (Chief or Councillor).

• Any individual eligible for membership in the First Nations Health Directors Association (a Health Director or senior health lead employed by an organization delivering health services within or on behalf of a First Nations community or communities).

• Elected federal, provincial, or municipal officials.

• Any individual working for an organization currently receiving funding from the FNHA.

• Have no conflict of interest or legal impediment that would interfere with the exercise of the Director's independent judgment. 
 

Qualified First Nations individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Time Commitment 

It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will be required to attend a minimum of four – two day meetings per year with additional meetings and committee work called as required. In addition, the Board of Directors are required to attend the FNHA Annual General Meeting and an annual Strategic Planning Session. 

To Submit 

All submissions are welcomed, but please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Qualified candidates are invited to submit in confidence a Curriculum Vitae and three letters of reference to: 

501-100 Park Royal South
Vancouver, BC  V7T 1A2
Telephone: (778) 879-5353
Fax: (604) 913-6135
greg.shea@fnha.ca

 
Application Deadline:

March 11, 2016

For additional information, please visit our website at http://www.fnha.ca