Jobs North

[REMOTE] Indigenous Liaison – entry level role with opportunities for growth

Rural Development Network
Published
Nov 24, 2021
Location
Edmonton,
Category
Job Type
Salary
  • minimum $19.50/hr

Description

The Opportunity: The Rural Development Network is seeking an Indigenous Liaison to work alongside our team to ensure that our work, action, and policies appropriately reflect the priorities and needs of Indigenous people. This position will interact with all of RDN’s initiatives and projects. Due to the type of role, Indigenous lived experience is strongly preferred. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements listed below, including not being in education, employment, or training (NEET). Graduates from an educational program are eligible as well if they meet the other requirements. This work experience placement is part of the CreateAction Inclusive Social Innovation program. The Indigenous Liaison will be part of a network of CreateAction participants and will join in regular peer learning sessions and evaluation activities delivered by the program partners: the Canadian CED Network, the National Association of Friendship Centres, and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation.

Location: We will consider applicants located anywhere in Canada who are willing and able to work remotely. RDN’s office is located in Edmonton, Alberta for candidates who prefer to work in person. Please indicate in your cover letter where you are located.

Duration and Wage: This position will begin on January 10, 2022 for 26 weeks until July 8 2022 with the possibility of extension. This is a full-time position at 35 hours per week. The wage range will vary depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, but will be $19.50/hr or higher.

Eligibility Requirements: Due to the requirements of the funding program for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at start of placement;
  • be a Canadian citizen, or permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
  • be legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations; and
  • be experiencing one or more barriers to employment; and/or
  • be not in education, employment, or training (NEET)

About the Rural Development Network: RDN’s approach is founded on supporting communities in their efforts to address issues. They listen, hear what the community’s needs are, and provide support by developing solutions with them, knowing each community is unique and requires a tailored approach. In addition, a key aspect of RDN’s work is supporting communities in actually implementing the proposed solutions by providing capacity and expertise. All too often projects are started, but stall without the right tools, capacity, and expertise needed to become a reality; RDN is committed to filling this gap. The RDN started with a finite fund to distribute to grassroots projects across the province of Alberta, and has since grown into a key resource for rural communities on issues that are generally under-addressed on a national scale.

RDN is committed to and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity makes us all stronger, whether we are referring to the RDN, rural communities or all of Canada. RDN is committed to ensuring an equitable workplace that welcomes and respects diversity amongst our staff, board members and volunteers. RDN works to ensure and promote inclusivity, recognizing and actively supporting the different needs of our diverse staff, clients, and stakeholders. RDN recognizes that diversity is and will always be a key component of rural Canada’s future success. We strive to ensure that our staff is diverse. We are committed to removing barriers to employment that are faced by equity-seeking groups and encourage (but do not require) members of these groups to self-identify as such in their cover​​ letters. In accordance with our diversity goals and the current compositional needs of our staff, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who self-identify as racialized* or Indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit).

*The term “racialized” is used here instead of the more outdated and inaccurate terms “racial minority”, “visible minority”, “person of colour”,​​or​​“non-White”.

What to Expect, Working with RDN: RDN is a very entrepreneurial non-profit organization with a diverse team of over 25 staff, and a unique work environment. We have adapted our work style in light of the pandemic, and adopted long-term strategies that we find have increased productivity and satisfaction, including a hybrid work from home/ work from office model, flexible hours and a 35 hour work week (with a compressed workweek option). We have a team-oriented and inclusive culture, we strive to help our staff grow, and encourage team members to explore their interests and develop new opportunities. www.ruraldevelopment.ca

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and résumé to careers@ruraldevelopment.ca and indicate which position you are applying for. Deadline for applications is December 8th, 2021 after which time applications will be reviewed & interviews held. We will be making a hiring decision by December 17, 2021.

This position is funded by the Government of Canada under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

  • Work alongside the RDN team to review and ensure the RDN’s policies, actions, and advocacy work appropriately reflects the priorities and needs of Indigenous people.
  • Assist with the development of a process that will enhance an Indigenous Lens across all of the organization’s approaches and practices, including funding administered through the Reaching Home program.
  • Advance understanding and develop a common ground based in reconciliation.
  • Assist with the development of a new process for grant applications and evaluations for Indigenous communities and organizations applying to RDN for Reaching Home funding.
  • Assist with the development and implementation of an Indigenous Engagement Strategy that will enhance engagement capacity with Indigenous Communities and organizations, and provide direction and guidance internally and externally on the development and implementation of culturally appropriate and collaborative Indigenous engagement.
  • Help implement Indigenous engagement programs, including coordinating and participating in conducting engagement activities, researching, compiling data, drafting reports and consultation plans.
  • Identify and support the involvement of appropriate Indigenous representation (internal and external) to sit on working groups, providing consultative advice to project design and execution.
  • Reach out to collaborate with local, provincial and national leaders in Indigenous engagement to inform strategy and practice, gaining an understanding of trends and developments.
  • Facilitate workshops, either leading or co-leading the design and facilitation of the workshops according to the candidates level of experience.
  • Help develop and implement a range of solutions to grow partnerships and increase community use and knowledge of RDN’s services and resources.

Qualifications

Preferred Experience and Competencies:

  • Due to the type of role, Indigenous lived experience is strongly preferred. Indigenous candidates are encouraged to apply.
  • Knowledge of intergenerational trauma, settler colonialism, and systemic oppression.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous engagement including knowledge of traditional Indigenous protocols.
  • Experience working with/engaging with Elders and knowledge keepers.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills, and ability to manage their time effectively.
  • Ability to take initiative and manage their work.
  • Self-motivated with a high degree of integrity, honesty, and ethics.
  • Ability to maintain a very high degree of confidentiality.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team.
  • Knowledge of or experience with facilitation techniques that are culturally appropriate and culturally safe would be an asset.
  • Understanding of Indigenous culture, issues and social structures.
  • Some or a combination of: education related to Indigenous studies, work experience in the field, or lived experience.

Related Jobs

Regional Emergency Management Coordinator   Tłı̨chǫ Region, NT new
Mar 28, 2024
Director Housing Programs   Yellowknife, NT new
Mar 27, 2024

Subscribe to Edge Express

Stay connected to the pulse of the north, subscribe to our daily newsletter.

Invalid Email

Sign In

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.