Specialist Indigenous Initiatives And Engagement Job In Vancouver

Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement

At YWCA Metro Vancouver, we are committed to truth and reconciliation. This includes understanding, acknowledging, and addressing our complicity in historic and ongoing colonial practices; enhancing cultural safety for Indigenous participants, volunteers, and employees; deepening our relationships with host First Nations and Indigenous communities; and advocating for justice and equity alongside Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people. Through programs like Crabtree Corner and Circle of Sisters, we endeavor to center Indigenous knowledge, culture, and values, and are committed to expanding on and deepening this work across YWCA services.

To help us advance these commitments, we are seeking a Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement, this role will work in collaboration to implement Indigenous engagement priorities spanning government relations and advocacy; relationship building and outreach; program development and measurement; and organizational policies and practices.

What you’ll be doing:

1. Relationship Building and Outreach
   Facilitates active engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations to assess needs and opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
2. In collaboration with the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement, acts as the primary point of connection for Indigenous organizations and communities.
3. Develops and maintains meaningful, trust-based and ongoing relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities.
4. In collaboration with other employees, implements the Indigenous partnership strategy, and supports community engagement initiatives, as applicable.
5. Maintains visibility and availability among Indigenous communities.
6. Participates in the YWCA’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

1. Government Relations and Advocacy Support
   Monitors local, provincial, and federal issues of relevance to the YWCA and Indigenous communities and supports response or action.
2. Works collaboratively with the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement and the Senior Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations, to coordinate outreach and communications with host First Nations in support of government relations priorities.
3. Tracks communications for follow up.

1. Program Development and Evaluation
   With support from the Associate Director, develops key performance indicators in support of truth and reconciliation and organizational priorities.
2. In collaboration with the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement, implements new ways to measure outcomes across priorities and programs.
3. Assists in the development and implementation of internal capacity building in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
4. Supports community listening and research to appropriately scope and plan priorities.

1. Coordination and Administration
   Leads the implementation of an Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement Plan.
2. Works collaboratively with programs and fund development team to write applications for new projects and initiatives and respond to funding opportunities.
3. Works collaboratively with the marketing communications team to develop and execute awareness and public education campaigns in support of Truth and Reconciliation and equity and justice for Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people.
4. Works collaboratively with cross-department teams to develop and execute events in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
5. Supports the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement with administrative duties, e.g., writing reports, tracking spending, drafting communications etc.
6. Works on special projects, as required.
7. Other duties as required

What you’ll need:

• At least three years of progressive experience in a non-profit or public sector setting.
• Experience engaging and building relationships with Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nations.
• Ability to engage in active processes that aim to identify and eliminate anti-Indigenous racism and colonial practices and structures and work in partnership to help change systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people, including people with lived and living experience.
• Project coordination experience, including planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience in document preparation, research, and project reporting.
• Public speaking and presentation experience are considered an asset.
• Effective administrative skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a climate of shifting priorities, with the expertise to manage multiple projects
• A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

What we offer: We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package:

• Extended medical and dental benefits
• Flexible working arrangements for applicable positions
• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members
• Free staff membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres
• A workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety, and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion.

Pay Rate: $34.40 per hour

Pro-rated, paid vacation equal to 22 days per annum, accrued monthly in accordance with the YWCA’s leave regulations

How to Apply

This is an exciting time for the YWCA. Join us and be part of an inclusive, dedicated, and impactful workplace! Candidates are invited to send cover letters and resumes by July 26, 2024, to:

Grace Tait, Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview processes are accessible to all applicants; if you require accommodations in submitting your application, or have other questions, please contact the hiring manager as listed. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, transferrable skills, lived experience, and business need. We thank all who apply, but only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about this and other YWCA Metro Vancouver career opportunities, please visit ywcavan.org.