Executive Director, External Indigenous Relations and Special Initiatives, Office of Indigenous Engagement

Job title:

Executive Director, External Indigenous Relations and Special Initiatives, Office of Indigenous Engagement

Company

University of Winnipeg

Job description

The University of Winnipeg seeks a full-time continuing Executive Director (ED), External Indigenous Relations and Special Initiatives. The ED will provide leadership and direction to the Office of Indigenous Engagement (OIE) – and the University more broadly – in meaningfully addressing the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People’s Calls to Justice, and promoting the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples via short- and long-term special initiatives.The OIE is dedicated to advancing the University of Winnipeg’s commitment to indigenization and reconciliation, including meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledges, expertise, and partnerships in all aspects of the University and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Community.In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy and section 11 of The Human Rights Code, this position is designated for qualified Indigenous candidates.Please note: In the latter stages of the selection process, additional steps supporting the verification of Indigenous identity will occur for individuals who are invited to an interview with the selection committee.Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership, Direction, and Special Initiatives

• Provides leadership in establishing a strong network and relationships with Indigenous communities, governments, and industry.
• Provides expert advice and information to senior administrators to promote indigenization and reconciliation at UW through interactions with Indigenous external relations.
• Provides Indigenous government and community relations expertise to AVP-I and other senior leaders on emerging, controversial and time sensitive strategic interactions with Indigenous government, institutions, community and as required for specific areas, projects, and initiatives.
• Works with leadership in the development and alignment of priorities, strategies, and plans that build stronger relationships between UW and Indigenous governments, institutions, organizations, and community.
• Asseses current Indigenous government and community relations activities and provides recommendations regarding the impact of the activities.
• Reviews best practices of Indigenous government and community relations offices and strategies at other Canadian universities and makes recommendations.
• Works collaboratively to support the overall coordination and promotion of Indigenous engagement activities through the Office of Indigenous Engagement.
• Strategically advise the IE team in contributing and responding to local and national conversations regarding matters of importance to Indigenous communities, that address anti-Indigenous racism, and advance reconciliation.

External Indigenous Community Engagement

• Develops relationships and partnerships with Indigenous governments, communities, institutions, and organizations to advance university efforts towards reconciliation.
• Outreach, network, and liaise with First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, communities and governments to identify opportunities to collaborate on special initiatives and projects.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of sustainable special Indigenous initiatives.
• Helps create additional pathways for Indigenous students from Manitoba pursue educational opportunities.
• Leads the advanced preparation prior to, during and after meetings, visits, engagements, consultations with Indigenous Community.
• Prepare briefings for meetings with Indigenous government, organizations, community, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that the President, AVP-I, and senior leaders have relevant background information, understand culturally appropriate approaches, and Indigenous Community expectations to support meaningful and reciprocal relationship-building.

Fundraising and Financial Responsibility

• Identify existing and new external funding opportunities and sources
• Secure additional funding necessary to mobilize and sustain existing and new special Indigenous initiatives via internal and external grant-writing, fundraising, identifying and developing donors, etc.
• Develop budget forecast to be approved by AVP-I.
• Prepare financial reports, collaborate to reconcile budgets, review financial reports for accuracy, reconcile VISA, receipts, invoices, etc. and approve expenses.
• Ensure collaboration and financial planning for sustainable funding for relationship-building between Indigenous Engagement and Indigenous Community.

Communications, Media Relations and Other Responsibilities

• Collaborate with AVP-I and Director of Indigenous Community Relations to devise communications and media relations strategy to promote the objectives and initiatives of the OIE generally and external Indigenous relations, specifically.
• Chair and/or participate in meetings with Indigenous N/PTO’s, governments, communities, organizations, as well as with Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, business, and industry to advance the goals of the OIE, especially external Indigenous relations and special initiatives
• Organize meetings between senior leaders and Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, community, business, industry representatives to advance the goals of reconciliation.
• Prepare briefing notes, media releases, and other communication materials.
• Field requests for interviews and quotes by media, and appear on camera/in print, invite media to attend or cover special initiatives stories.
• Contribute to updating OIE website materials and online presence to promote external Indigenous community engagement.
• Leads special projects and keeps current on developments in Indigenous Community, Government, Business and Industry as well as related University policies, practices and regulations.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent in a related discipline preferred, graduate degree is an asset.
• Minimum ten years of experience in Indigenous community engagement, government relations, public relations or similar area.
• Five years’ experience working in higher education preferred.
• Extensive experience, knowledge, competency with respect to First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures, histories, cultural protocols is required.
• Experience working with First Nations, Metis and/or Inuit communities and organizations is required.
• Experience working with First Nations, Metis and/or Inuit governments preferred.
• A record of strategic external Indigenous stakeholder engagement and development of community-based partnerships is required.
• Experience in providing strategic advice to senior management.
• Significant experience in the development and implementation of Indigenous community engagement strategies, policies and operation plans.
• Experience in developing, planning, and executing complex projects
• Experience leading public events with a focus on Indigenous content is required.
• Experience providing leadership, supervision, and performance management to staff, an asset.
• Experience in developing, reviewing and implementing proposals and grant applications.
• Experience in securing extensive funding and support is preferred.
• Financial/budget management experience is required.
• Strong knowledge and competency with respect to Indigenous cultures, knowledge, history.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and research skills.
• Able to problem solve, foresee upcoming situations, prioritize, make decisions and recommendations, sometimes in a fast-paced environment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of internal and external (Indigenous) contacts.
• Knowledge of the academic teaching and research environment, and issues facing faculty and post-secondary students is an asset
• Develop collaborative and proactive strategies and plans to promote indigenization and reconciliation across the University; understanding of University policies.
• Work collaboratively with OIE team, executive team, internal contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to work in close collaboration and partnership with external Indigenous Elders, government officials, community partners.
• Experience and ability to chair meetings.
• Able to maintain a strong (including physical) presence on campus and in community.

An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Able to work with a flexible schedule.

The salary range for this position will be from $115,567 to $146,397 annually.Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy and section 11 of The Human Rights Code, this is a designated search for Indigenous candidates.The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].

Expected salary

$115567 – 146397 per year

Location

Winnipeg, MB

Job date

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:32:48 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (un-jobs.net) you saw this job posting.