Indigenous Business Liaison

at  City of Edmonton

Job Number: 50690
Are you a champion for Edmonton’s economy? Do you bring a customer-focused experience to helping businesses start, grow and invest in Edmonton?
The City of Edmonton is seeking an Indigenous Business Liaison to drive outreach and engagement within the business community. This role champions Indigenous-owned businesses by connecting them with City supports and services, providing pathfinding assistance within the economic development ecosystem, and advising internal teams on economic reconciliation. The Liaison will play a crucial part in implementing the Economic Action Plan and various City strategies, including the Indigenous Procurement Framework and the Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan.
This position involves building relationships with local businesses and facilitating collaboration with organizations that support Indigenous entrepreneurs. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal, project management, and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape affecting businesses. If you are passionate about fostering economic reconciliation and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship, we encourage you to apply.

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS:

• Broad and demonstrated experience in handling projects or areas of specialization that are complex, highly sensitive and that have significant future impact
• Significant understanding of Indigenous communities, their history, culture and current environment
• Knowledge of UNDRIP, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice
• Ability to ensure work is coordinated to proceed simultaneously concurrent to other business areas and external partners
• Significant knowledge of the practices and objectives of the City, as well as local and regional economic development issues related to the project or area of specialization
• Significant understanding of the inter-relationships among project activities in various disciplines
• Significant knowledge of planning legislation and regulatory requirements, including ability to effectively exercise discretion and independence in the interpretation and application of requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous communities, First Nations communities, and Indigenous-led organizations
• Experience in reconciliation with Indigenous people, communities and organizations
• Skill in preparing and presenting comprehensive plans, reports and submissions
• Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal economic and environmental policies and strategies
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment
• Strong oral, writing and presentation skills to influence and inform leadership decision making
• Alignment to our Indigenous Framework
• Alignment to our Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments
• Alignment to our Leadership Competencies
• Applicants may be tested
  The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Economics, Science, Indigenous Relations or Public Administration with course and/or work experience in Municipal Government and/or related degree program
• 4 or more years of experience leading economic development projects or programs in municipal or public administration or large corporation working directly with leadership on strategic business planning and implementation
• 1 year of experience working with under-represented business owners and especially Indigenous stakeholders (Nations, economic development corporations, business owners

• Deliver One-one-one Business Support Service to support business launch and growth, and to foster local economic development
• Apply an Indigenous worldview and GBA+ lens to service delivery to support entrepreneurs facing additional barriers to navigating City permits & licenses
• Lead engagement in the economic development ecosystem with organizations supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to generate client referrals
• Contribute to the development and review annual work plans
• Maintain collaborative partnerships and effective communication with key stakeholders including local and recently-landed businesses, business improvement areas, economic development partners, and other levels of government to deliver shared objectives
• Emphasis will be on developing and maintaining relationships with internal City areas and external organizations that support Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses
• Provide an advisory role to committees and teams on policy matters, and provide expertise on Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic reconciliation
• Prepare and conduct presentations to internal and external audiences, including developing customized equity-informed content to meet the objectives of partner organizations
• Enhance awareness and understanding of business friendly supports and services available from the City of Edmonton from multiple business areas across the City of Edmonton (eg. Sustainable Procurement, Economic Investment Services, and the Indigenous Relations Office)
• Participate in committees and work teams to support cross-functional initiatives, and provide strategic insight to align work across the corporation
• Provide Indigenous business-related content for briefings and Council reports as assigned

Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Economics, Science, Indigenous Relations or Public Administration with course and/or work experience in Municipal Government and/or related degree program
• 4 or more years of experience leading economic development projects or programs in municipal or public administration or large corporation working directly with leadership on strategic business planning and implementation
• 1 year of experience working with under-represented business owners and especially Indigenous stakeholders (Nations, economic development corporations, business owners)

Assets:

• Certification in Change Management, Project Management or Strategic Planning
• Indigenous and reconciliation training and awareness
• Demonstrated experience in public and/or private sector to understand complex economic development issues and gaps and the ability to implement actions to resolve them
• Lived experience, knowledge, training and/or education related to First Nation, Metis, and Inuit communities
• Previous experience building and maintaining relationships with Indigenous partners and communities