As communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast experience the impacts of climate related weather events, natural asset management is an increasingly important way to help protect and manage the ecosystems that deliver the key services on which all of us rely.
The Natural Assets Initiative (NAI), a multi-award-winning, Canadian not-for-profit organization, works in partnership with local governments, Indigenous Nations, watershed agencies and many others to move nature from the periphery to the core of decision-making. We help them identify, account for, and ultimately manage and protect a wide range of natural assets (e.g, aquifers, wetlands, forests) and the vital services that these provide to communities.
Our work began exclusively with local governments. As our experience grew, NAI’s work expanded to include collaboration with other watershed agencies, and a small but growing number of First Nations, primarily in British Columbia as well as in Treaty 1 Territory (Manitoba). As an organization we commit to and take responsibility for ensuring that natural asset management upholds UNDRIP.
ROLE
The Indigenous Relationships Advisor will be pivotal in interweaving First Nation, Inuit, and Métis knowledge, worldviews, and perspectives with evolving natural asset management practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for and involved in:
- Project management — Directly manage NAI’s growing portfolio of projects with Indigenous partners, primarily First Nations. Some projects strive for Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing approaches; others are focused on helping Nations employ natural asset management to support Chief and Council and/or referral process as well as other land use decisions.
- Methodology evolution — The ongoing improvement of NAI methodologies, tools, and capacities such that they increasingly reflect and/or interweave Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Indigenous worldviews, and perspectives.
- Advising on non-Indigenous projects — Advise on how NAI projects that do not specifically focus on Indigenous Nations can still consider and ideally maximize progress towards Reconciliation.
- Provide technical expertise — Depending on candidate’s background this could be in, for example, data and GIS; ecology; Guardianship; or engineering.
- Engagement — Support engagement with Indigenous Nations to enable and encourage participation in emerging national standard setting processes intended to ensure natural asset management becomes a broadly-based practice.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE + MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Lived experience as an Indigenous individual
- Hands-on experience management complex projects
- Demonstrated practical proficiency in a field of direct relevance to NAI such as data and GIS; ecological restoration; environmental engineering
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a relevant field or as a Guardian, OR a combination of relevant skills and experience
- Relevant educational background (will vary based on candidate’s professional background)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse rightsholders and stakeholders
BENEFITS
NAI is proud to offer:
- Competitive wages — the salary range for this role is $70,000 – $90,000/year
- Comprehensive health package for staff and their families
- Enhanced (5 weeks) vacation benefits
- Flexible paid sick/wellness time
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Remote position (anywhere in Canada, though British Columbia is preferred)
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please send your resume, together with a cover letter detailing how your skills and experiences align with the role, to ElleryL@NaturalAssetsInitiative.ca. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, we encourage you to apply early.
Join us in making a difference by supporting Indigenous Peoples and advancing natural asset management in Canada. We look forward to hearing from you!
