POLICY AND RESEARCH MANAGER

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is seeking a strategic and experienced Policy and Research Manager to lead its urban Indigenous policy initiatives and research activities. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a core member of the management team, this role is responsible for advancing community-driven research, producing high-impact policy analysis, and generating actionable insights to guide NAFC’s decision-making. The successful candidate will also lead and mentor a dynamic team of ten staff, fostering innovation and collaboration in support of NAFC’s mission.

WHO WE ARE:

Friendship Centres are Canada’s most significant urban Indigenous service delivery infrastructure. Based in downtown Ottawa, the NAFC represents a network of over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations. Our collective work reaches millions of points of contact in a year and thousands of people every single day from coast to coast to coast.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or in a related field, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in policy development, research, and analysis.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in managing teams or projects, including supervising staff.
• Experience working in a not-for-profit environment.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, preferably in an urban setting.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of databases and other software.
• Knowledge and understanding of NAFC’s priorities, mandate, organizational structure and the Friendship Centre Movement’s program and service delivery infrastructure.
• Able to work independently, meet tight deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Being able to work in French or Indigenous languages is an asset.
  Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5 pm EST on May 23rd 2025, detailing how your qualifications align with our needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Maîtrise en politiques publiques, en sciences politiques, en administration publique ou dans un domaine connexe, ou équivalent.
• Au moins 5 ans d’expérience en élaboration de politiques, en recherche liée aux politiques, ainsi qu’en analyses politiques.
• Au moins trois ans d’expérience de gestion d’équipes ou de projets, notamment la supervision de personnel.
• Expérience de travail dans un environnement à but non lucratif.
• Expérience de travail avec des communautés autochtones, de préférence en milieu urbain.
• Solides compétences en matière d’analyse et de réflexion stratégiques.
• Connaissance approfondie des bases de données et de logiciels pertinents.
• Connaissance et compréhension des priorités, du mandat et de la structure organisationnelle de l’ANCA, ainsi que des programmes et de l’infrastructure de prestation de services du Mouvement des centres d’amitié.
• Capacité à travailler de manière autonome, à respecter des délais serrés et à travailler sous pression.
• La capacité à travailler également en français ou dans une langue autochtone serait un atout.
  Veuillez envoyer votre CV et votre lettre de motivation avant le 23 Mai 2025 à 17 heures EST, en précisant en quoi vos qualifications correspondent à nos besoins.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide advice and recommendations to the CEO on policy and research-related matters.
• Oversee day-to-day activities associated with the Policy and Research Department including the supervision of policy and research staff and ensure Policy and Research activities operate within the established policies and procedures of the NAFC.
• Oversee, develop, and implement NAFC’s strategic goals and objectives related to policy and research.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of policy files with the policy team in areas such as (but not limited to): urban Indigenous policy, housing, homelessness, MMIWG2S+, children’s rights, childcare and early learning, climate change, UNDRIP, legislative review, international advocacy, anti-violence, access to justice, sports and recreation, and health care.
• Responsible for the ongoing liaison with the Federal Government to ensure clear and transparent lines of communication and oversee the government relations strategy.
• Coordinate the development of reports, policy papers, advisory committees, and other documents to appropriately document Program activities.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting related to the implementation of multiple agreements.
• Oversee the development of manuals, templates, forms and record-keeping processes required to appropriately document Policy and Research activities.
• Coordinate the preparation of reports to the NAFC Board of Directors and membership.
• Coordinate the development of the Policy and Research Department’s annual work plan and budget.
• Recommend new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization; and develop funding proposals as needed.
• Ensure Policy and Research activities comply with all relevant legislation and with contribution agreement and grant terms and conditions.
• Work with other managers to identify and implement opportunities for research and policy development to support FC programs.
• Collaborate on the development of the annual State of the Friendship Centre Movement report.
• Provide technical support to the NAFC Board of Directors and relevant committee structures; and
• Support the development of strategic partnerships.