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Director Indigenous Engagement & Conservation

Employer
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Location
Flexible Across Canada
Salary
CA$96,950.00 To 121,230.00 Annually
Closing date
Jun 1, 2022

View more

Role
Other
Industry
Environment
Hours
Full-time
Contract Type
Permanent

As Canada’s leading national land conservation organization, NCC recognizes that we operate on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. The increasing recognition of Indigenous rights, cultures and relationships with the land has had a profound effect on conservation and NCC has made a commitment to reconciliation and launched a strategy to recognize the importance of Indigenous-led conservation and being a partner and ally with Indigenous Peoples in conservation, as well as support for social equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Conservation in Canada is undergoing a dramatic change as a result of the leadership by Indigenous Peoples, communities and thought leaders. Indigenous-led conservation is accelerating innovative approaches where conservation decisions are reached within an Ethical Space. We are committed to work with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful and supportive ways and advancing these approaches as part of a learning journey that engages Indigenous knowledge systems, culturally defining practices, diversification of our staff, and respect for Indigenous rights.  

As the Director of Indigenous Engagement and Conservation, you will be leading NCC’s commitment to reconciliation and conservation, supporting policy development, capacity-building and collaborating on respectful and durable conservation. 

If you want to have a positive, lasting impact on the future of conservation and you are passionate about working with Indigenous nations and communities, we want to hear from you!

About your role:

Reporting to the Vice President of Conservation Policy and Planning, you will lead the Indigenous Engagement and Conservation team within the National Conservation Department. You will have a high degree of autonomy and will engage extensively with NCC’s senior management, staff and key Indigenous advisors and partners to set the direction for Indigenous engagement and conservation at NCC, responding to both NCC strategic priorities and on-the-ground realities.  

Leading a small team and working in close collaboration with NCC staff, senior managers, senior volunteers, and Indigenous partners, you will:

  • Establish Indigenous engagement and conservation priorities, policies and practices that are respectful of Indigenous rights and national and international best practices as well as relationships with Indigenous nations and organizations. 
  • Enable new approaches to conservation that support Indigenous leadership such as supporting the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas or collaborate with researchers and practitioners to advance Indigenous land trusts. 
  • Advance change at NCC by building strong relationships across functional teams; participating in external and internal working groups with Indigenous and Crown governments, other conservation organizations, and academic scholars, and; meeting with Indigenous elders, community members, and representatives. 
  • Provide relevant and comprehensive advice for senior management and key staff that would reflect Indigenous priorities, NCC strategic direction, consideration of legal and financial impact, and operational realities.
  • Identify, track, and resolve regional, national, and strategic matters related to Indigenous engagement and conservation. This will include matters directly related to Indigenous conservation as well as actions and activities that impact upon Indigenous rights, nations, and Individuals (e.g. national campaigns).
  • Lead the Indigenous Engagement and Conservation team as well as contractors and students and provide mentoring and coaching and directing workloads, work plans, budgeting and professional development needs. 
  • Coordinate associated advisory bodies that will provide strategic advice to the support decision-making across the organization. 

How you would get there:

NCC is taking an open and inclusive hiring process that respects multiple ways of knowing and being, considering both Indigenous and western systems. Part of NCC’s renewal efforts is to undertake a more equitable and inclusive recruitment process that recognizes, appreciates, and values diversity. Ultimately, we are seeking an individual that has a sufficient combination of education, knowledge and experience to excel in this rewarding and challenging position regardless of the specific knowledge system from which they are obtained. 

  • To qualify for this role you have:
  • An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a field related to conservation and/or Indigenous cultures, such as:
    • Indigenous studies, cultural heritage management, or relevant social science
    • Environmental studies, wildlife management, ecology, or similar conservation-related science
    • Program or project management
  • OR a combination of relevant education and knowledge related to Indigenous cultures and relationships with the land, cultural heritage, or natural laws obtained through lived experience and being part of an Indigenous community, connecting with Elders, knowledge holders and community members. 
  • Knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing, governance systems and understanding of contemporary conservation practices.
  • Knowledge of Canadian jurisprudence related to Indigenous rights and familiarity with relevant Canadian and other public policy matters such as United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
  • Understanding of organizational change management methodologies and principles 
  • At least 2 years of experience within the last 5 years working directly with Indigenous nations, communities, and/or organizations
  • At least 2 years of experience within the last 5 years working directly in the field of conservation

 

As the Director of Indigenous Engagement and Conservation, you have:

  • Passion for social equity and addressing systemic barriers for equity-seeking groups
  • Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
  • Effective communication to engage with multiple audiences using a variety of means. 
  • Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • Leadership skills to support organizational change
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams

Our commitment to you:

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We invite and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds based on dimensions such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability and other dimensions as long as you share our core values of openness, empowerment and collaboration. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require support at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact mai.metawie@natureconservancy.ca


Let’s connect:

If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter and resumé through our Career Centre page. 

If you are of diverse/Indigenous background and you believe you can bring a different perspective to the table, we are happy to schedule a coffee chat with Mai Metawie, so you can learn more about the role because at NCC we appreciate the human connection.

Application deadline: June 12, 2022 at 11:00 pm EST.

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. We thank everyone for their interest in applying with the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please note that in-person office attendance, carpooling with co-workers to NCC properties or event, and in-person attendance at any indoor events are currently restricted to staff who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Accordingly, if you are required to participate in any of these activities as part of your job, the expectation is that you must be fully vaccinated.  (Fully vaccinated means you have received two doses of the Pfizer, Astra Zeneca or Moderna vaccine or combination thereof, and have received the second dose at least two weeks prior to your start date, or you have received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two weeks prior to your start date.) NCC reserves the right to revise the definition of “full vaccination” to include vaccination boosters, at its Discretion.

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