Indigenous Engagement and Relations Specialist

We need the ocean. The ocean needs us. 

Role Summary 

Reporting to the Social Justice Manager, you will lead the implementation, maintenance and review of an organizational Indigenous Engagement Strategy. You will guide the partnership development processes, promote the prioritization of reciprocal engagement, ensure mutually beneficial collaborations, equip team members, and implement inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant outreach efforts which respect and uphold cultural and traditional protocols.  

You will bring expertise in ensuring best practices are implemented with respect to developing and stewarding relations with Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous-led organizations.  

This position is ideally suited for candidates located in British Columbia or the West Coast region. We strongly encourage applicants that self-identify as Indigenous within Canada to apply.  

Who You Are 

You are an organized, culturally sensitive professional with an understanding of best practices in partnership development and various consultation frameworks.  

What You Will Be Doing 

• Leading the Indigenous Engagement Strategy which includes managing the review, integration, education and ongoing implementation of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy, as well as designing culturally relevant engagement frameworks and supporting teams to implement them. 
• Enhancing cohesive organizational outreach efforts by coordinating interactions with key collaborators including developing an inter-departmental database for partner-relational continuity and facilitating knowledge sharing and best practice implementation between Ocean Wise departments. 
• Supporting colleagues at meetings with Indigenous collaborators to help build relationships and gauge interest in collaborating. 
• Strengthening partnership development processes by advising teams on effective, culturally relevant engagement methods and contributing to the development of external relations and partnership development frameworks which prioritize effective Indigenous Engagement. 
• Advising executive and program teams on best practices and compliance standards to address data sovereignty, revenue sharing, and engaging with traditional governance structures. 
• Building capacity amongst team members to support conservation projects developed in relationship with Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous-led organization. 
• Facilitating internal staff discussions stemming from learning opportunities, equipping staff to effectively implement strategic initiatives and engagement frameworks, and coordinating and/or hosting regular professional development trainings. 
• Providing regular progress updates, reports, and advising on engagement process, as well as contributing to program planning, metric tracking, grant proposals and assigned collaborative projects. 

What You Bring 

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in Indigenous engagement, facilitation, or a public engagement role demonstrating cross-cultural competencies. 
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous cultures and protocols across regions or language groups, dialogue or conflict transformation formats, and contemporary trends in community consultation processes.
• Experience mobilizing large groups of individuals towards a shared goal and facilitating meaningful engagement/partnerships between parties. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven track record as a relationship-builder, a team player attitude and the ability to communicate effectively through virtual platforms. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Teams, comfortability learning new systems. 
• Knowledge of ocean conservation issues considered an asset. 
• Training and/or demonstrated ability to build rapport amongst colleagues, collaborators, Indigenous communities, and organizational leaders considered an asset. 
• A degree or diploma in planning, environmental sciences, geography, or a related field considered an asset. 

How You Will Be Measured 

• You lead and manage the ongoing implementation of the Indigenous Engagement Strategy. 
• You support cohesive organizational outreach and facilitate knowledge sharing, as well as best practice implementation between Ocean Wise departments. 
• You support colleagues at meetings and build and/or strengthen relationships with Indigenous collaborators. 
• You facilitate internal staff discussions and build capacity amongst team members to support conservation projects developed in relationships with Indigenous communities and/or Indigneous-led organizations. 
• You advise executive and program teams on best practices and compliance standards. 

What We Offer 

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers: 

• A remote working environment, with the option to work in person in our beautiful downtown Vancouver head office
• A competitive base salary in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
• Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis, including 
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Group term and supplemental life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service
• 15 paid vacation days to start
• 10 paid sick days,
• 2 wellness days
• 12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
• An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building
• Professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!

Where and How You’ll Work 

This is a remote-first position with the possibility to work at our headquarters in downtown Vancouver, if desired. The standard work week for this role is 37.5 hours, Monday through Friday, with rare exceptions for some evening or weekend work. 

Who We Are 

Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org. 

Inclusion and Diversity 

At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.