Senior Specialist, Indigenous Relations & Engagement (Ontario)

Title: Senior Specialist, Indigenous Relations & Engagement (Ontario)

Employee Working Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid

Employment Status: Permanent Full-time

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) - an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada's Best Employers 2024, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Senior Specialist, Indigenous Relations & Engagement leads and coordinates Indigenous Relations within the geography by building trusted partnerships with First Nations communities and Indigenous leadership, aligning engagement strategies with the Canadian Red Cross's mission. This role ensures respectful collaboration during response and non-response periods, supports strategic initiatives and partnerships, and contributes to national policy efforts in coordination with the Office of Indigenous Relations.

In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to shape and align the strategic direction for Indigenous Relations within the geography, ensuring consistency with the Canadian Red Cross's goals.
• Build, strengthen, and maintain trusted relationships with First Nations communities, Indigenous leadership, and governing bodies at local, regional, provincial/territorial, and federal levels.
• Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and Indigenous leadership to ensure respectful, coordinated, and effective engagement during both response and non-response periods.
• Represent the Canadian Red Cross at Indigenous leadership tables, geographic forums, and key events to enhance visibility, trust, and influence.
• Identify and advance opportunities for sustainable program development, funding, and strategic partnerships in collaboration with geographic and service line leadership.
• Support the Geographic Vice-President in implementing government relations and strategic initiatives specific to Indigenous communities, including issues management and feedback mechanisms.
• Act on behalf of the organization to secure contracts and agreements aligned with its mandate, as directed.
• Participate in national working groups on policy and humanitarian diplomacy, and foster policy engagement opportunities with geographic stakeholders on key Indigenous issues.
• Coordinate with the Office of Indigenous Relations to ensure a consistent and synchronized approach to Indigenous engagement across the organization.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum of 6-9 years experience and a 3-year college diploma or university degree in indigenous studies, indigenous law, public policy, human rights, social work.
• An equivalent combination of education and lived, learned, and professional experience working with Indigenous Peoples and communities will be considered.
• Requires expertise in a specialized discipline or broad experience across fields, along with an understanding of interconnections between processes and business units.
• Has lived and/or has professional experience with First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Nations or communities.
• Active in broader Indigenous networks and has an enduring commitment to sharing and advancing knowledge derived through Indigenous knowledge systems including balancing Western and Indigenous world views.
• Experience working with or within First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities, organizations, or governing bodies.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining respectful, reciprocal, and culturally safe relationships with Indigenous communities and leadership.
• Experience representing an organization in multi-stakeholder settings, particularly at government or community leadership tables.
• Proven track record in advancing strategic initiatives, agreements, or partnerships in collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and related frameworks is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint. • Ability to identify complex problems, analyze interrelated factors, assess and mitigate risks, and develop solutions using specialized skills.
• Communication and influence skills to gather perspectives, understand needs, and present information to reach consensus, often in somewhat sensitive situations.
• The official languages recognized within the Canadian Red Cross are English and French however demonstrated skills and ability to communicate in an or multiple Indigenous language(s) or ability to communicate and adapt within Indigenous protocol is highly desirable.

Working Conditions:

• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).