Indigenous Management Board

Position: Program Manager
Organization: Indigenous Management Board Secretariat
Location: Qualified candidates living in southern Vancouver Island or able to relocate should apply. Work is primarily virtual, with in-person meetings at First nations offices throughout southern Vancouver Island.

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Indigenous Management Board (IMB), the Program Manager will coordinate and support the IMB to implement the IEȽȻIȽTEL or Nuts’a maat kws ‘i’ shul’ hwilasmut tu Skwul ‘i’ kwthe’ Accord (Accord) and to participate in the proposed National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) Steering Committee. This is an administrative, coordination and planning role dedicated to the effective operations of the IMB and IMB Technical Committee (IMBTC), as well as facilitating IMB’s effective participation in the Steering Committee and other IMB-Crown negotiations as they emerge. The Program Manager will work closely with the IMBTC and liaise with Crown technicians. This position, and the work outlined in the essential functions below, will be directly supported by a Program Assistant who will report to the Program Manager. In addition, the Program Manager will supervise and manage two contract staff – an Elders Coordinator and Research and Marine Planning Analyst -and will be involved in identifying further capacity needs, as well as contracting and overseeing the work of additional consultants.

The IMB is an entity of eleven First Nations, being: Quw’utsun Nation (being Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation), Malahat Nation, Pauquachin First Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Tsawout First Nation and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (representing Tsartlip First Nation and Tseycum First Nation). As described in the Accord, the purpose of the IMB is to take up and take back the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the Nations over the territories and waters and to collaborate on issues of shared interest with regards to Parks Canada operations.

The IMB, Parks Canada, and the Province of British Columbia have established a trilateral Steering Committee to conduct a feasibility assessment for the proposed NMCAR in the southern Strait of Georgia of British Columbia. The IMB is also involved in negotiations regarding the management of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and broader marine governance approaches.

The IMB is committed to respecting diversity within our team and providing opportunities and developing capacity for members of the eleven First Nations we represent. We encourage all First Nations applicants to self-identify in our recruitment processes. Pursuant to Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act, preference will be given to qualified First Nations candidates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

IMB Secretariat

1. Oversee the general administration of the IMB Secretariat including managing one direct report (the Program Assistant).
2. Managing any contracted positions required to support the IMB’s work, including at present, the Elders Committee Coordinator and the Research and Marine Planning Analyst.
3. Working with IMBTC, identify capacity gaps and seek additional funds to increase IMB’s capacity.
4. Manage all funding agreements for the IMB Secretariat, including preparing annual financial and narrative reports for Parks Canada and NGOs.
5. Liaise with the finance and administration teams at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and Lyackson First Nation in relation to funds administered by these organizations on behalf of IMB.

IMB Coordination and Support

1. Work directly with the IMB, and its Co-Chairs and Technical Committee, to provide coordination, planning, and implementation support for the successful execution and delivery of the Accord and the IMB’s involvement in the NMCAR feasibility assessment, negotiations related to the NMCAR, and other initiatives.
2. Provide program management support including work planning, activity tracking and scheduling, deadline and progress management, communications management, and all other necessary tasks for the successful running of the IMB.
3. Coordinate bimonthly meetings of the IMB , including scheduling, logistics for in-person, on-line and hybrid meetings, drafting agendas, issuing regular communications, and ensuring minutes and action points are recorded.
4. Coordinate monthly IMBTC meetings and meetings of IMBTC teams focused on specific work streams such as communications, internal governance, research, and intergovernmental negotiations.
5. Coordinate IMBTC drafting and review of briefing documents, presentations, official correspondence, and meeting materials related to IMB work areas such as the NMCAR feasibility assessment, GINPR negotiations and broader marine governance approaches.
6. Prepare and present materials to IMB and IMBTC related to work planning, capacity, activity and decision tracking, progress reporting and communications such as work plan presentations, progress briefing notes, communications strategy updates, and annual reports.

Steering Committee for NMCAR Feasibility Assessment

1. Work with IMBTC and Crown technicians to coordinate joint leadership and technical meetings to support the Nations’ input into the feasibility assessment process and associated negotiated agreements. This may include:

   1. scheduling support, meeting logistics and communications.

   2. drafting and coordinating input into agendas and meeting minutes.

   3. preparing IMB co-chair speaking notes.

   4. coordinating co-chairs pre-meetings and other prep meetings as needed.

2. Work with IMBTC and Crown technicians to contract and guide consultants with specific expertise to contribute to completing feasibility assessment activities such as:

   1. consolidating information, resources, aspatial, and spatial data needed as input into the NMCAR feasibility assessment, identifying information gaps, and providing recommendations to fill information gaps.

   2. meeting facilitation and engagement activities.

3. Work with IMBTC and Crown technicians to plan and coordinate activities and deliverables associated with the NMCAR feasibility assessment and associated negotiations.
4. Monitor the Steering Committee work plan and work with IMBTC and Crown technicians to provide written and oral progress reports.
5. Coordinate IMBTC, Crown technicians, and contracted consultants’ drafting and review of briefing documents, presentations, reports, and other materials. This is achieved in part through coordinating joint technical working group meetings.

GINPR and Other IMB-Crown Negotiations

1. Track activities related to any Government to Government discussions, assist with reporting in respect of any established timelines, and provide activity progress updates, action items, and decision tracking to IMBTC and IMB.
2. Work directly with IMB, IMBTC, and Crown reps to coordinate meetings, at both the technical and leadership levels.
3. Assist in coordinating IMBTC, Crown technicians, and contracted consultants’ drafting and review of materials needed for these negotiations, such as briefing notes, presentations, letters, MOUs, etc.

Communications, Engagement and Information Management

1. Support the implementation of the IMB Communications Strategy, along with the IMBTC communications team and additional contracted communications and engagement specialists. Current activities include:

   1. Coordinate the preparation of centralized presentations and materials for IMB representatives and technicians to use in their community engagement efforts.

   2. Provide IMB orientation presentations for new IMB representatives and technicians, and Crown staff working with IMB.

   3. Draft and coordinate input into an IMB annual report.

   4. Maintain and update IMB social media sites and draft social media posts.

2. Working with IMBTC, plan and coordinate joint IMB community engagement events including contracting facilitators; coordinating the development of agendas, presentations and other materials; and overseeing logistics.
3. Maintain and update two multi-user file sharing sites for shared documents such as, agendas, meeting minutes, work plans, calendar of events, reports, presentations, agreements, spatial data and maps, and research results.

   1. A file sharing site for IMB(TC)

   2. A file sharing site for the NMCAR Steering Committee

4. Provide administrative support with regards to official IMB correspondence.
5. Maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to the affairs of the IMB and Steering Committee.
6. Carry out other reasonable duties requested by the IMB.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Three or more years experience in program or project management, including strategic planning, administration, and multi-party coordination.
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations and liaising with government agencies.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating project teams.
• Experience in financial management, including managing project budgets and contracts.

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Self-motivated with ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a highly dynamic multi-team environment with a significant level of autonomy.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications abilities.
• Ability to manage difficult situations and to use facilitation skills to find consensus solutions.
• Ability to motivate and help direct others to gain collective support for new and ongoing initiatives.
• Ability to deliver projects under tight time constraints.
• Ability to manage meetings and work effectively in virtual, in-person, and hybrid environments.
• Ability to summarize and interpret complex information into plain language documents and presentations.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, software, and equipment.
• Availability to travel locally for meetings and conferences.
• Availability to work flexible hours on occasion.

DESIRABLE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL)

• A college or university certificate or degree in a related field.
• Project management training or certification (PMP).
• Experience in Crown-Indigenous or other intergovernmental negotiations.
• Experience in marine or land-use planning or policy.
• Experience in protected areas establishment and management.
• Experience in marine or terrestrial resource management and economic development.
• Understanding of marine conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and/or ecosystem-based management.
• Experience working with Indigenous collectives (e.g., tribal councils, consortiums, regional First Nations organizations).
• Understanding of First Nations laws, rights, and title.

NOTE: The IMB operates in a distributed office environment. Currently, members of our team live and work from various locations on South Eastern Vancouver Island, including Brentwood Bay. Working location (including at home) and arrangements will be negotiated with the successful candidate. IMB will provide in-office equipment and a portable laptop. When working from home, candidates should have stable access to an internet connection and be prepared to provide their own at home office equipment (i.e. desk, chair, screen).

TERMS

The position is a one-year contract based on a 40-hour work week, with a salary commensurate with experience (anticipated range: $80,000-$90,000, negotiable for contractors). There may be an opportunity for renewal or extension.

Terms of the contract, including flexibility as to whether the role is on contract or by employment, will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

ORGANIZATION

Reports to: IMB (and, in relation to reporting for the Contribution Agreement, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council)

Supports: IMB, IMBTC, and IMB Nations’ NMCAR Steering Committee members

TO APPLY

We invite applications consisting of a one page cover letter, responses to the Job Application Questionnaire (see below), and a resume with names and contact information for three references.

Please submit your application to robyn.kefi@wsanec.com, with the subject line: Program Manager - IMB Secretariat Application, no later than midnight PST Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

The Indigenous Management Board thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Program Manager - Indigenous Management Board Secretariat

Job Application Questionnaire

1. Please outline how you meet the Required Experience (Max 250 words each):

1. Three or more years experience in program or project management, including strategic planning, administration, and multi-party coordination.
    
2. Demonstrated experience working with First Nations and liaising with government agencies.
    
3. Experience supervising staff and coordinating project teams.
    
4. Experience in financial management, including managing project budgets and contracts.

2. Please outline if you meet any Desirable Education and Experience (Max 250 words each):

1. A college or university certificate or degree in a related field.
    
2. Project management training or certification (PMP).
    
3. Experience in Crown-Indigenous or other intergovernmental negotiations.
    
4. Experience in marine or land-use planning or policy.
    
5. Experience in protected areas establishment and management.
    
6. Experience in marine or terrestrial resource management and economic development.
    
7. Understanding of marine conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and/or ecosystem-based management.
    
8. Experience working with Indigenous collectives (e.g., tribal councils, consortiums, regional First Nations organizations).
    
9. Understanding of First Nations laws, rights, and title.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.