Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor

at  City of Kitchener

WHY WORK AT THE CITY OF KITCHENER

Position Overview:
The City of Kitchener is seeking a Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor, to build and strengthen meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities as Kitchener develops a path to understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Calling upon a deep understanding and knowledge of the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada informed by lived experience and relevant work experience, the Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor recommends processes and initiatives that support the city to fulfill its commitment to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report: Calls to Action and improve access and service delivery to Indigenous peoples through the identification and removal of systemic barriers in municipal operations, spaces, and services.
This role reports to the Director, Equity, Anti-Racism and Reconciliation and is part of a 5-person team. This role provides expertise and advice to assist city leaders and staff to develop respectful and transparent relationships with Urban Indigenous communities, honour treaty recognition and the city’s duty to consult with First Nations Rightsholders, specifically Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. In addition, this role will lead distinct bodies of work in policy development and program design ensuring strategic integration with the city’s governing documents and in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the TRC.
Responsibilities:

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• 
  Curate and develop training for staff and Council that will increase understanding of Treaty Partners and local First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, traditions, values, knowledge, histories, treaties, and rights, resulting in increased capacity of non-Indigenous (settler) staff to work respectfully and appropriately with Indigenous peoples on Indigenous-centred initiatives in a municipal context.

Coordinate ongoing staff learning opportunities, including the city’s corporate learning program, that provide practical knowledge and resources for staff to apply toward reconciliation initiatives.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Comprehensive lived and professional experience working in collaboration with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations. Includes experience in community engagement and relationship building.
• Knowledge and skill normally acquired through a post-secondary degree in a relevant professional discipline (e.g., sociology, social work, equity studies, human rights), or an equivalent combination of education and/or related experience that may include knowledge gained from learning from Elders, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and community members.
• Deep understanding of Indigenous communities and organizations across Waterloo Region, including First Nations Rightsholders, specifically Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
• Comfort establishing or nurturing existing relationships with community partners, including members from First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and other historically excluded groups. Established relationships with the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation are an asset.
• Significant comprehension of Two-Eyed Seeing to integrate into healthy relationship building, community consultation and facilitation, strategic planning, change management, and demonstrating accountability.
• Deep understanding of the impacts of colonization in Canada, including contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities, with a strong commitment to equity, anti-racism, relationship-building and advocacy for reconciliation.
• Awareness of government processes, experience examining policies and programs; and practice building, and applying reconciliation and other equity-related frameworks.
• Ability to conduct research - analyze and interpret to solve or minimize abstract and complex issues. Includes preparing reports and developing and delivering presentations.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and with a high level of sensitivity. Capable of handling multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political/community environment while maintaining positive and professional working relationships.
• Demonstrated computer skills, with the ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel to various locations within the Waterloo Region.

WE APPRECIATE THE INTEREST OF ALL APPLICANTS. ONLY CANDIDATES WHOSE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION WILL BE CONTACTED.

Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR-110, “Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":
“The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.
The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:
1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full-time and part-time classifications.
2. within the same Division in the case of students.”

Please refer the Job description for details