Title: Senior Specialist, Indigenous Relations & Engagement (AB / NWT)
Employee Working Location: Partially Virtual / Hybrid (Edmonton, AB)
Employment Status: Permanent Full-time
The Senior Indigenous Relations & Engagement Specialist leads and coordinates Indigenous Relations within Alberta and the Northwest Territories, building trusted partnerships with First Nations communities and Indigenous leadership and assists in the development of strategic policy to align engagement strategies with the Canadian Red Cross's mission. This role is key in ensuring respectful collaboration during response and non-response periods, supporting strategic initiatives and partnerships, and contributing to national policy efforts in coordination with the Office of Indigenous Relations.
In this role, you will:- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to shape and formulate strategic policy approaches for furthering Indigenous relations and program supports within Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
- Build, strengthen, and maintain trusted relationships with First Nations communities, Indigenous leadership, and governing bodies at local, regional, provincial/territorial, and federal levels.
- Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and Indigenous leadership to ensure respectful, coordinated, and effective engagement during both response and non-response periods.
- Represent the Canadian Red Cross at Indigenous leadership tables, geographic forums, and key events to enhance visibility, trust, and influence.
- Identify and advance opportunities for sustainable program development, funding, and strategic partnerships in collaboration with geographic and service line leadership.
- Support the Vice President, Alberta, in implementing government relations and strategic initiatives specific to Indigenous communities, including issues management and feedback mechanisms.
- Secure contracts and agreements aligned with the organization's mandate, as directed.
- Participate in national working groups on policy and humanitarian diplomacy, and foster policy engagement opportunities with geographic stakeholders on key Indigenous issues.
What we are looking for:- Minimum of 6-9 years' experience and a 3-year college diploma or university degree in indigenous studies, indigenous law, public policy, human rights, social work, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- May require a graduate diploma/degree in a related field and/or a professional degree, certification, or designation.
- Lived, learned, and professional experience working with Indigenous Peoples and communities will be considered.
- Expertise in a specialized discipline or broad experience across fields, with an understanding of interconnections between processes and business units.
- Lived and/or professional experience with First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Nations or communities.
- Active in broader Indigenous networks and committed to sharing and advancing knowledge derived through Indigenous knowledge systems, balancing Western and Indigenous world views.
- Experience working with or within First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities, organizations, or governing bodies.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining respectful, reciprocal, and culturally safe relationships with Indigenous communities and leadership.
- Experience representing an organization in multi-stakeholder settings, particularly at government or community leadership tables.
- Proven track record in advancing strategic initiatives, agreements, or partnerships in collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and related frameworks is essential.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint.
- Ability to identify complex problems, analyze interrelated factors, assess and mitigate risks, and develop solutions using specialized skills.
- Communication and influence skills to gather perspectives, understand needs, and present information to reach consensus, often in sensitive situations.
Working Conditions:- Office-based with some domestic or international travel to generally safe locations; exposure to moderate adverse conditions requiring attention to personal safety.
- Ability to adapt to frequent and urgent changes in priorities, make decisions under pressure, and work at an unpredictable pace.
- Work requires interactions with clients who may be agitated or experiencing stressful situations.
- In large-scale emergencies, may provide disaster relief and/or emergency field operational support.
- As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
