Capacity Development Team – Training Coordinator

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is seeking a qualified candidate to join a newly established Capacity Development Team (CDT) as a Training Coordinator. 

The CDT is a vital capacity-building initiative which stems from a multi-phased approach to Indigenous Program Review (IPR) and the corresponding Action Plan for Renewal and Expansion of DFO’s Indigenous Programs. This initiative requires a team of qualified professionals to work with Indigenous communities to identify, plan, and implement the organizational capacities needed to carry out their work, from financial and human resource management to scientific and technical expertise.  

The goal of the CDT is to help increase Indigenous community-based capacity and opportunities in the aquatic resource management sector. DFO provides financial contributions to more than 175 Indigenous communities and organizations through the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) and Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) programs. These programs are intended to support the development and maintenance of Indigenous-led fisheries and aquatic resource management structures that collaborate with various partners in relevant planning, oversight and field activities. The CDT will seek to help Indigenous communities maximize their capacity through employment and training, advancing relevant career paths, and encouraging collaborative fisheries management and stewardship. 

As a trusted third-party advisor with a national purview, the CDT will be hosted by the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM) in Nova Scotia, with additional leadership and support through the Skeena Fisheries Commission (SFC) in British Columbia. The CDT will be comprised of four regionally based Capacity Development Team Advisors on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, one national Team Lead (already hired) and one national Training Coordinator.  

What qualities are needed as CDT Training Coordinator? 

Reporting to the CDT Lead, the CDT Training Coordinator will play an integral role in coordinating and facilitating access to capacity-focused training and skills development activities for Indigenous communities and organizations (i.e. Indigenous clients or clients) participating in DFO Collaborative Programs.  

As a liaison between Indigenous clients, the CDT, DFO, and other partner training organizations, the Training Coordinator will have a national purview and provide direct support and guidance to the CDT’s clients. Services provided to Indigenous clients will include coordinating access to focused training and skills development opportunities, supporting the development and submission of tailored training plans or proposals, monitoring and tracking training outcomes and certifications, identifying appropriate funding sources, and facilitating the delivery of training through other partner organizations and initiatives. 

As the ideal candidate, you have several years’ experience in community development, adult education, human resources, consulting, or a similar field. You should be a refined, community-driven leader who is well-informed and experienced with the nuances of Indigenous fisheries and aquatic resource management and the socio-political and cultural context of Indigenous communities across different regions across Canada.  

Possessing an inclusive and collaborative working style, you build relationships with Indigenous communities by creating a positive environment throughout your work. You will also bring strong education and training acumen to assist Indigenous clients with accessing appropriate and meaningful training and skills development opportunities that will aid their capacity development planning and initiatives. Additionally, you bring a blend of skills, including project management, training facilitation and delivery, governance, negotiation, business and strategic planning, stewardship, communications, and human resources. 

You have previously worked with Indigenous communities and organizations and are knowledgeable of Indigenous culture, governance practices, and federal, provincial, and non-governmental program offerings. You can establish credibility with local communities and team members through mutual respect, effective interpersonal relationships, and professionalism. 

This is a work-from-home position which requires frequent travel across Canada. The majority of work will be carried out in English, with the ability to communicate effectively in French and Inuktut languages a key asset. 

If you would like to pursue this opportunity, please forward your resume and a letter explaining how your background and experience will meet the needs of the Capacity Development Team. Applications can be emailed to Gerald Walsh Associates Inc. at apply@geraldwalsh.com, quoting project number 1934 in the subject line. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.