Senior Writer

About BCFNJC:

Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations Métis and Inuit people in the criminal justice system and the child protection system, and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.

The BCFNJC is growing rapidly. Indigenous people in BC deserve world-class legal services and programs. To this end, we are seeking team members who share our vision, understand the gravity of the work, are excited by the opportunity and will not stop until we reach our goal. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Senior Writer is a creative, critical thinker who possesses advanced multidisciplinary knowledge of strategic communications. This position is responsible for balancing multiple creative and technical operational tasks in a fluid and fast-paced environment while providing complex, conceptual and practical expertise in the handling of all content. The senior writer prioritizes upholding the collective voice of BCFNJC and Indigenous communities and partners using a holistic and culturally competent lens and approach. The senior writer will work very closely with members of the Council, the communications team, the policy team and other teams to capture the historical and ongoing journey of BCFNJC.

The Senior Writer will provide strategic-level communications support across the organization, ensuring that the BCFNJC upholds a high standard of collaborative communication with First Nations, community partners, partner organizations, and internally within the organization’s interdisciplinary streams of work.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Acquire and maintain detailed knowledge of the Justice Strategy, organizational history, implementation progress and plans for future work.
• Provide strategic-level writing and communications support across the organization, ensuring that the BCFNJC upholds a high standard of communication with partner organizations, community members and each other.
• Work with the Communications team to create a Bundle-Level Communications Workplan and thereafter provide monthly updates to the Director of Communications on workplan progress and items completed.
• Independently identify emerging reputational, editorial policy, and operational issues and questions. Resolve the issues in consultation with the Director of Communications and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in regular meetings of the Policy and Communications teams and work collaboratively with other departments.
• Organize and make available all relevant documents, speaking notes, artifacts, presentations, videos, etc. for BCFNJC council members and staff.
• Provide senior-level review and editing services to other teams, as requested.
• Contribute, as a member of the Communications Team, with archiving and storytelling work specific to Strategy 16 of the Justice Strategy (formal mechanisms to track progress on the Strategy and ensure that it is progressing, and having an impact on track one and two)
• Create BCFNJC’s Annual Report
• Support Communications Director with consistent, high quality Council reports.
• Assist with the creation of printed materials, etc.
• Assist with the preparation of communication materials across the organization including internal communications products, the Quarterly Internal Newsletter, news announcements and leadership emails.
• Collaborate with the 6-person comms team on content writing and copy editing for BCFNJC online channels.
• Edit publications for alignment with BCFNJC in-house style, accuracy, grammar, and strategic branding.
• Lead the preparation of speaking notes for presentations, meetings and other purposes, collaborating with the Staff Lead and the Policy team. Support the review and refinement of speaking notes and presentations created by others, when requested.
• Measure communication effectiveness, gather feedback, report findings, and develop action plans.
• Work with BCFNJC Information Management team to ensure appropriate storage of written materials.
• Occasionally travel to community and other events to effectively capture the narrative and translate to content that meets the needs of BCFNJC, partners, rights-holders, and the public.
• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with provincial and federal communications staff counterparts.
• Identify and assesses emerging issues, consults with the Director of Communications to develop, and execute proactive strategies to support positive outcomes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Work Experience:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or equivalent education.
• Four+ years’ experience in strategic communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or another relevant field.
• Superior ability to analyze and edit content submitted from across the organization for reputational risk, flagging potential issues as they arise and recommending solutions.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, an understanding of the local Indigenous cultural environment and experience in Indigenous community engagement.
• Knowledge of, or experience working in a politically charged environment.
• Value honesty, transparency, and accountability.
• Experience in Indigenous community engagement and relationship-building.
• Confident public speaker and engaging storyteller.
• Demonstrates flexibility, embraces new skills and workplace tools, self-manages multiple and shifting priorities, and advises the unit on improvements to policies and procedures
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other relevant software and multiple media · platforms
• Ability to deliver creative content (text, images, video, podcast).
• Experience with digital technology.
• Expertise in copywriting, proofreading and editing.
• Familiarity with online social media strategies and channels.
• Effective, high-level verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster and work within a multidisciplinary remote team environment
• Impeccable creative and technical writing ability and a willingness to share these skills with team members who may not possess them.
• Excellent project management skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet heavy case/workload demands and deadlines.
• Able to work independently with minimal day-to-day supervision as well as working within a collaborative team framework.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and take initiative.
• Strong organization, time & file management, and stress management skills with strong attention to detail
• Work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• A clear criminal reference check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Clearance will be a condition of employment.

Job Title: Senior Writer

Reporting: Reports to the Director of Communications

Location: Remote or Hybrid BC

Pay Range: $75,000 to $90,000 annually

Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes extended health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans

Hours: Full Time (35 hours/week); Monday to Friday