Details

Job term: Full-time, 1 year contract (possibility of renewal)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Canada remote, with occasional in-person obligations and travel

Compensation: $64,169-$75,069 (With 20% Northern Salary Enhancement if residing and working in Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut)

Contract Start: April 2025

Who We Are

Founded in 2008, Indigenous Youth Roots s a national Indigenous youth-led organization.  We envision a future where Indigenous youth are empowered and connected as dynamic leaders in vibrant and thriving communities.  We collaborate with communities to provide programs, grants and opportunities that are grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being and designed to strengthen and amplify the voices of Indigenous youth. Centering Indigenous youth perspectives, we have 7 deeply held principles that guide us in our work and the way in which we relate to each other.

  • Reciprocity
  • Innovation
  • Accountability
  • Reclamation
  • Advocacy
  • Resurgence
  • Solidarity

IYR is a workplace that puts its employees and community first. We are a living wage employer and believe in prioritizing a healthy work-life balance. We provide opportunities for flexible working hours, time off for ceremony and other life responsibilities and we actively respond to the accessibility needs of those who work with us. We are a results-oriented working environment, choosing to focus on achieving objectives, rather than promoting the status quo.

Your Impact

Reporting to the Associate Director of Policy and Research, or designate, the Northern Policy School Specialist is responsible for designing and implementing the vision and objectives for the new Northern Policy School within the Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Program Design & Coordination:

  • Design and implement the delivery of the Northern Policy School Program, including the development of a culturally relevant curriculum for both online and in-person components.
  • Plan and conduct in-person and online engagements with Northern Indigenous communities and youth, integrating input from community partners to inform program design.
  • Establish and coordinate an advisory committee to guide program implementation, ensuring the continuity and integration of feedback from youth, staff, and community partners into program improvement.
  • Oversee logistics for program implementation during the community engagement and pilot phases, emphasizing youth leadership, economic prosperity, and policy engagement.
  • Monitor and evaluate program progress to ensure alignment with objectives and community needs, while providing regular updates to leadership on outcomes and lessons learned.
  • Foster relationships and networks with local partners and facilitators to enhance programming success, ensuring the program remains responsive to youth needs and priorities.

Planning:

  • Proactively prepare for changes in the environment or public policy by defining project goals, objectives, & priorities, and developing comprehensive work plans.
  • Contribute to department-wide planning efforts to ensure alignment and effective project coordination.

Organizing:

  • Establish day-to-day operations of area of responsibility by planning, developing, and implementing activities and tactics.
  • Identify new funding opportunities through partnership development and support the preparation of funding applications and proposals.
  • Participate in integration activities such as cross-department initiatives, organization-wide events, and recognition.

Mentor and Assist:

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and training to project supports while serving as the primary contact for Northern Policy School contractors, facilitators, and partners.
  • Act as a role model for staff, volunteers, and participants, contribute to public policy responses, and recommend evidence-based adjustments to enhance projects and programs.

Controlling:

  • Coordinate and produce where relevant, budgets, expenditures, and reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for project management, program progress, and board reports.
  • Support the design of operational policies, while maintaining and fostering vendor and partner relationships to enhance program effectiveness.

Community Engagement:

  • Uphold and promote the organization’s cultural values and guiding principles in all workplace practices.
  • Engage with the Indigenous community and support initiatives that strengthen relationships and collaboration.

Health, Safety, and Wellness:

  • All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all potential hazards; and all incidents and injuries; as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S.

Other:

  • Maintain high ethical standards and demonstrate integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness in all endeavors and communications.
  • Support and participate in all IYR staff, department, and team meetings.
  • Participate in external and internal committees, working groups, or projects as required.

Who you are

  • You see the bigger picture: You have a deep appreciation and respect for the history, culture, and autonomy of Indigenous peoples. You have experience working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities/organizations and believe in using your skills and talents to advance reconciliation.
  • You are a relationship builder and collaborator: You are focused on people and communities, value personal and professional relationships, and are comfortable working with others.
  • You are a writer, communicator, and listener: You can clearly convey your thoughts and expectations in writing and verbally, and you can accurately interpret what people tell you.
  • A problem solver with a solution focused mindset: Roadblocks and unforeseen issues don’t typically phase you and you provide a variety of workable solutions when they come up.
  • Technologically savvy: You’re comfortable using technology to communicate and accomplish tasks. When introduced to a new program you pick it up quite easily and use the resources available to best learn how to use it.
  • Aware of all the details of a task: Not only is the attention to detail and accuracy highly important but you don’t overlook the big picture when preparing initial documents for contracts/projects. You have results-focused project experience, meeting deliverables and timelines.
  • Well organized & flexible: You like to be prepared and have organized systems for sharing information but don’t get caught up in deviating or adjusting your work when needed.
  • You have a strong commitment to integrity: You always act with integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.
  • Supportive and communicative: You approach work with a focus on how to best support our team. You are comfortable asking for help and making decisions yourself.

Compensation

  • Salary: $64,169-$75,069 (With 20% Northern Salary Enhancement if residing and working in Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut)
  • Health benefits: will begin following a 3-month probationary period
  • Other: RRSP employer contribution that is 5% of salary
  • Vacation: 3 weeks and statutory holidays, in addition to a 2-week winter closure
  • Personal Days: 15 days
  • Annual Professional Development Benefit: $1500 annually following a 3 month probationary period
  • Cultural Days: 5 days annually
  • Volunteer Hours: 5 hours monthly at any organization of your choice.
  • Flexible Work Week Options: 4 and 5 Day work week options.

Application Method

As a part of your expression of interest, please provide a cover letter that introduces yourself and share your passion for working alongside youth (especially youth in Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer communities) and highlight how your qualifications align with this role. IYR welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have any questions, you can contact sheneice@indigenousyouthroots.ca. IYR believes in barrier-free hiring practices. Please reach out to indicate how we can accommodate you.

You can submit a completed application (cover letter and résumé) through the IYR website.

Hiring Process

  • Contact for interview if applicable: February 2025
  • We encourage you to explore some of the work the IYR does to familiarize yourself prior to interviews: https://indigenousyouthroots.ca

Indigenous Youth Roots is committed to equitable representation and access. Candidates from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities are encouraged to self-identify in the cover letter.

As a condition for hiring, the successful candidate will be required to submit a vulnerable sector check.

For More Information