Lead, Intergovernmental Relations-Crown Relations – Self Government Branch

Internal/External
Full-time/Permanent
Location: Anywhere in Ontario
Remote Work: Flexible (both in-office and remote-work required)
Closes: December 8, 2022
Starting Salary: $73,420 – $83,680, per year based on experience. Salary Range Max $95,460 [2022 Rates]

All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.

What We Offer

As an employer, the Métis Nation of Ontario offers a collaborative work environment with competitive salary

Further, permanent employees benefit from:

• Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits,
• Pension plan,
• 10 days’ vacation to start,
• Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December-January,
• 16 paid public and employer holidays,
• Early closures on long weekends,
• 15 paid health & wellness days (sick leave),
• Employee Assistance Plan, and
• Telemedicine plan.
• Preferred membership pricing at Goodlife gyms.

The Role

The Intergovernmental Relations team supports the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to advance its priorities in developing government-to-government relationships between the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Crown and other Indigenous governments.

The Intergovernmental Relations Lead, Crown Partnerships is a manager level position responsible for supporting MNO’s work with the Métis National Council and the Canada—Métis Nation Accord’s Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (PBM). The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous governments. The Lead will engage with elected and bureaucratic government officials on a regular basis to identify opportunities to raise MNO’s profile, advance MNO priorities, identify risks, and maximize MNO participation in government processes that will further the achievement of MNO’s strategic plan. The Lead will work collaboratively with the Self-Government Strategy Branch and Research Rights and Policy Branch. While this position does not currently have any direct reports, it is possible it could in the future.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Under the direction of the Director, Self-Government, the Intergovernmental Relations Lead, Crown Partnerships (Manager) will be responsible for the following key duties and responsibilities:

• Lead MNO’s work with the Métis National Council related to the Métis Nation – Canada Permanent Bilateral Mechanism.
• Become familiar with all MNO government funding opportunities and funding agreements.
• Liaise and support subject matter experts across all Branches of the MNO who sit on MNC and MNC-Canada technical committees.
• Support drafting of MNO and MNC budget submissions to Canada and Ontario.
• Monitor, identify and analyze legislative developments and government priorities that could affect the MNO or our work.
• Work with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous government officials to promote the MNO, its priorities and its key policy and strategic initiatives.
• Manage and facilitate meetings and ensuring briefing notes are prepared for meetings with Ministers or senior government officials.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to coordinate their participation in government meetings and briefings as appropriate.
• Write, review and evaluate Intergovernmental Relations documents, briefs and reports.
• Prepare documents such as options/decision papers, letters and speaking notes.
• Ensure MNO staff, volunteers or officials who interact with government at an operational level are appropriately aware of emerging issues and opportunities that may affect their interactions, and make them aware of MNO’s key messages/strategies.
• Establish work plans, key deliverables, timelines, quality measures, and action plans with clearly identified priorities to support the implementation of self-government
• Attend and participate effectively in meetings with senior management, funders, elected officials and government.
• Provide subject matter expertise in response to complex issues and/or to support and advise others.
• Manage and mitigate risk with respect to program delivery, quality, people and budgets
• Manage the employment lifecycle for direct reports, including recruitment, discipline, termination, and other people issues.
• Promote, track, and measure compliance with project timelines by creating and implementing appropriate data collection, reporting, and/or record keeping processes.
• Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of issues.
• Work collaboratively to identify ways to improve project effectiveness and implement viable ideas
• Deal with complex, confidential, and sensitive issues in a timely manner, with tact, discretion, maturity and judgement, and assist with resolving complex conflicts that arise
• Travel to communities for meetings to give presentations or attend meetings (this may require overnight stays in the community and a varied work schedule)

Qualifications

• Strong desire to act in the service of the Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture

Relationships

• Build relationships with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous government officials and facilitate relationship building between elected representatives and the MNO to raise understanding of and support for the MNO.
• Network and develop relationships with government bodies, including agencies, boards and commissions, in order to advance MNO priorities.
• Maintain MNO’s intergovernmental initiatives, including relationships with provincial and federal Ministries in relation to Métis interests.
• Maintain positive and productive working relationships on behalf of the MNO, at an officials’ level, with the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, industry and other stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with external contractors or consultants.
• Build and maintain positive and productive working relationships with other MNO Branches.
• Work in collaboration with MNO leadership, MNO citizens, and MNO contractors on related projects.
• Represent the MNO or act as a liaison as necessary in meetings with government, industry and other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• A strong desire to act in the service of Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture (preference will be given to applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing)
• Knowledge of the Métis and/or Indigenous policy issues, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand their knowledge of Métis specific matters is a definite asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests.
• Demonstrated ability to identify key stakeholders and build a plan to establish and maintain effective relationships with same.
• Demonstrated understanding of government processes and protocol.
• High degree of political awareness and appropriate interpersonal skills required when dealing with government partners and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong skills in analysing legislation, advocacy, strategic thinking and developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Significant skill and experience speaking to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone and videoconference as well as in person, in English, bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.
• Detail-oriented and results-focused, with strong problem-solving and analytical skills, as well as superior organization skills and time/priority-management.
• Ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Able to work extended hours or on weekends as required.
• Able to obtain and maintain a valid Ontario driver’s license.
• Willing and able to travel, at times, with overnight stays in other communities.

Education and Experience

• Degree in Political Science, Law or other relevant program from a recognized university or college, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A post-graduate degree in Political Science, Public Administration or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience working or interacting with federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments.
• Demonstrated experience in effective policy development.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and in partnership with government and other stakeholders.
• High degree of technology literacy and proficiency in standard office equipment.
• Advanced communications skills, both written and verbal
• High degree of detail-orientation
• Elevated level of skill in problem-solving and both qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Exceptional project coordination, time management and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of self awareness
• Demonstrated ability to solve conflicts and to manage challenging situations
• Demonstrated ability in program development and evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand knowledge and to be flexible in a demanding and dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to motivate a team to accomplish objectives

Basic understanding of applicable employment law legislation

Positions at the MNO may require the following:

1. Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain
2. Completion and maintenance of Vulnerable Sector Verification
3. A reliable vehicle, driver’s licence, $1,000,000 liability insurance, and a clean driving record
4. Flexibility to work extended hours as necessary
5. Ability to occasionally travel within Ontario for limited periods of time

Who We Are

In 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was established through the will of Métis people and Métis communities coming together throughout Ontario to create a Métis-specific governance structure and vision, encapsulated in the Statement of Prime Purpose. Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario represents over 25,000 Métis citizens.

The MNO delivers programs and services to its citizens through these branches: Healing and Wellness; Community Wellbeing; Education and Training; Housing; Lands, Resources and Consultation; Intergovernmental and Community Relations; Self-Government and Registry. Through these various branches, the MNO maintains 30+ offices and community spaces across the province, administers over $50 million annually, and employs about 350 staff across the province.

AODA Statement

The Métis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Métis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.

Please email humanresources@metisnation.org if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.

Please note, all employees, regardless of role or location, are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless the employee has a valid medical exemption.  This condition of employment is effective for all employees, full or part-time, permanent or contract, whether working remotely or not, as of November 1, 2021.