Policy School Manager

Job term: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Start Date: May 2025

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

Closing Date: 9am EST, April 22, 2025

Compensation: $67,957 – $79,500

Who We Are

Founded in 2008, Indigenous Youth Roots, formerly known as Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE), is 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.

Purpose of Position  

Reporting to the Associate Director of the Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research, or designate, the Policy School Manager is responsible for the overall process of program design, delivery, and management of the Indigenous Youth Policy School and the Northern Policy School within the Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research, including all associated objectives and deliverables. The Policy School Manager will lead a team of individuals, ensuring collaboration among all necessary parties to amplify and empower Indigenous youth voices.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Policy School Program Management:

• Lead the design, delivery, and expansion of Indigenous youth-focused policy education programs.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships and networks to strengthen program reach, impact, and sustainability.
• Oversee curriculum development for policy schools, ensuring cultural relevance and responsiveness to youth and community priorities.
• Manage program logistics, including in-person and online engagements, with a focus on youth leadership and policy participation.
• Monitor program performance using evaluation-based data, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Establish and coordinate advisory committees to integrate youth, staff, and community partner feedback into program improvements.
• Support the integration of policy education within broader organizational advocacy and engagement strategies as needed.

Financial Control:

• Lead the development of funding proposals, reports, and policy briefs related to policy education initiatives where required.
• Manage and produce budgets, expenditures, and reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for project management, program progress, and board reports.
• Support the development of program budgets, while maintaining and fostering vendor and partner relationships to enhance program effectiveness.

Administration:

• Proactively prepare for changes in the environment of public policy by defining project goals, objectives, & priorities, and developing comprehensive work plans.
•  Manage day-to-day operations of area of responsibility by planning, developing, and implementing activities.
• Maintain documentation of all program impacts, expenditures, efforts, etc for evaluation of program post completion.

Leadership:

• Participate in integration activities such as cross-department initiatives, organization-wide events, and recognition efforts.
• Define team goals, objectives and priorities.
• Lead and support your team in achieving departmental goals, completing assigned tasks, and developing innovative ideas for future engagements.
• Supervise staff supporting policy school initiatives, providing guidance on curriculum, facilitation, community outreach and project management.
• Assist in onboarding new employees, providing guidance, training, and direction to ensure their success and integration within the team.
• Regularly assess and recommend adjustments to the department’s procedures and policies to ensure the organization stays current and relevant in a rapidly changing environment.
• Lead and support your team in achieving departmental goals, completing assigned tasks, and developing innovative ideas for future engagements.
• Hold accountability for team performance, goal achievement, and organizational alignment.

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 endeavours 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.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 4 years’ experience in project management.
• 2 years’ experience engaging with policy.
• 2 years’ experience in community and/or youth-based programming.
• Previous experience working with Indigenous youth communities.
• Proven ability to work independently within a collaborative team environment and to navigate effectively across diverse cultural and political contexts.
• Proven ability to develop engaging educational activities, and leverage technology to facilitate knowledge exchange.
• Strong administrative experience, with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
•  Excellent organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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: $67,957 – $79,500
• Health benefits: will begin following a 3-month probationary period
• Other: GRRSP 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
• 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: Late April 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.