Manager, Indigenous Relations

Company

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Manager, Indigenous Relations works with the Senior Director, Indigenous Relations to manage the City of Vancouver’s overall approach to government relations with the Three Coast Salish First Nations: Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

The Manager, Indigenous Relations is responsible for:

• Implementing the City’s evolving strategic direction around the Reconciliation Framework and reconciliation efforts
• Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) at the City of Vancouver
• Working collaboratively and acting as a resource to the City’s Business Units in the implementation of Council’s strategic direction moving towards a ‘City of Reconciliation’, as well as implementing Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations relevant to municipal government.
• Working collaboratively across City divisions and agencies to build strong relationships with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, community organizations, and other government partners to support Council direction and advance the City’s strategic interests.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Stewards, implements and reviews the City of Vancouver Reconciliation Framework.
• Manages the Referrals system between MST and the City of Vancouver
• Provides leadership in strengthening relationships between MST and the City
• Coordinates Council to Council meetings between MST and the City of Vancouver Council
• Identifies opportunities within the City, including through the review of corporate policies, suggestions from City staff and through formal groups such as the UNDRIP Task Force, to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada Call to Actions as well as to decolonize City processes, practices and policies.
• Develops plans and projects to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada Call to Actions as well as to decolonize City processes, practices and policies.
• Works collaboratively with departments and agencies across the City of Vancouver to develop and implement corporate-wide reconciliation initiatives.
• Researches, monitors, analyzes and reviews regional, provincial, and federal policies, legislation and programs so the City can foster relationships, leverage opportunities and advance its policy objectives locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Liaises and stewards relationships with other levels of government as well as the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to achieve mutual objectives and informed decision-making by identifying shared issues and interests, exchanging information and seeking input on broad policy matters.
• Advises the Senior Director, Indigenous Relations, Senior Director, Intergovernmental Relations & Strategic Partnerships, the City Manager and other senior City staff on local, regional, national and global issues and policies that could impact the City, or where there are opportunities for the City to further leverage its expertise and/or achievements.
• Supports the development of strategic briefing materials for elected officials and senior staff for key meetings (i.e. Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, Metro Vancouver, UBCM, FCM etc.).
• Maintains systems for managing sensitive and confidential intergovernmental information on behalf of the City of Vancouver.
• Provides timely information and prepare confidential briefing documents ahead of important meetings and events.
• Coordinates submissions to other governments on issues affecting Vancouver.
• Prepares reports for the City Leadership Team and City Council with a reconciliation focus.
• Supports City staff’s participation on committees, in working groups, at conferences and other forums to represent the City of Vancouver to address reconciliation priorities.
• Promotes the development of management practices to continually improve effectiveness and efficiencies of Intergovernmental Relations office.
• Communicates and fosters understanding of intergovernmental issues, processes and strategic partnerships across the organization
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A university degree in Indigenous Studies, public administration or public policy or related discipline (graduate degree preferred) or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience including experience working with diverse Indigenous communities.
• A minimum of eight years diverse professional experience in social planning, research and evaluation as well as experience including public policy development and the formulation of major strategies.
• Diverse professional experience including public sector government experience where programs and initiatives were advanced through relationships (ex. Federal/provincial/municipal/local/First Nations government, national and regional Indigenous Organizations, and/or government/crown entities)
• Extensive experience providing advice to senior staff and elected officials.
• Experience in project management, public consultation and facilitation. Diverse experience that includes undertaking major research and writing of reports, strategies, and expertise in collaborative partnership approaches, governance and public engagement processes is critical.
• Experience managing change and leading the development and Implementation of plans, projects and committees.
• Experience managing and/or supervising staff and consultants will be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Indigenous communities in Metro Vancouver or similar context, including regional issues, relationships and interactions between First Nations and the City of Vancouver and Urban Indigenous communities.
• Thorough knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
• Considerable knowledge of, and skills in, developing and implementing intergovernmental and stakeholder relations plans that advance public policy objectives.
• Project management skills, including the ability to take initiative, plan, organize, set goals and outcomes, create processes, accomplish and measure objectives and results.
• Ability to handle sensitive, contentious, complex and highly confidential issues involving multiple and diverse stakeholders with skill, tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and patience to deal tactfully with staff, elected officials and the public; a proven ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion; demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment under tight deadlines and constant change; and an ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work independently and as an effective member of a team; to interact well with other employees, officials and the public; and to complete assignments in a high pressure, time-sensitive environment using sound professional techniques and independent judgment within the parameters of work assignments.
• Excellent verbal and written skills including preparation of reports and presentation of reports or other information to Council, advisory committee, senior managers and the public.
• Project management, communication, facilitation and public participation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and under tight deadlines and constant change
• Ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated understanding of the City of Vancouver’s policies programs and mandate is an asset.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City of Vancouver has a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy.  All external applicants applying to the City of Vancouver are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire and subject to this policy as a condition of ongoing employment.  Candidates may only be exempted from this requirement if they request and are approved for an accommodation based on a reason related to a Human Rights Code ground (such as disability). Such a request must be made during, not after, the recruitment process.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager (1010) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: December, 2022 

Salary Information: Pay Range RNG-091: $102,256 to $127,830 per annum

Application Close: November 8, 2022

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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