Location: Ottawa, ON (Hybrid)
Type: Full-time, three-year contract with possibility of extension
Reports to: Senior Manager, Workforce Development and Inclusion
Salary: $75,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience
Start date: Immediate
Position summary
Canada’s electricity sector is experiencing significant growth and transformation. As Canadians electrify their homes and vehicles, integrate renewable energy technologies into the grid and embrace the impact of digital technology, it is crucial to bring together employers, unions, post-secondary institutions and policymakers to address the labour challenges confronting the sector.
Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) is working with its partners to build a world-class, safety-focused, innovative and inclusive electricity workforce. A key element of our work is translating labour market intelligence into actionable programs in partnership with relevant workforce stakeholders.
The Indigenous Engagement Lead guides EHRC’s national Indigenous engagement work and provide strategic advice across the organization. The role builds respectful, long-term relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and youth, ensuring those relationships benefit the communities involved and are not one-sided.
Responsibilities
Relationship building and youth programming
- Build trust-based relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, organizations, Knowledge Keepers and youth, following each community’s protocols and priorities.
- Connect Indigenous communities with employers, unions, post-secondary institutions and governments in ways that respect Indigenous self-determination.
- Take a distinctions-based approach that recognizes the unique histories, rights and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
- Lead youth career pathways programming.
- Work with Indigenous communities to build capacity, support business and community growth and integrate learnings into EHRC systems and planning.
- Lead EHRC’s primary youth initiative to introduce Indigenous and other young people to careers in electricity, renewable energy and energy efficiency and connect STEM skills to climate action and the clean energy transition.
- Co-develop program content and activities with Indigenous youth, educators and communities to reflect their voices and ways of knowing.
Project planning and management
- Use labour market information and community-identified priorities to develop opportunities that advance Indigenous workforce participation and economic reconciliation in the sector.
- Design, manage and monitor projects from start to finish, keeping deliverables on time and on budget and managing risks.
- Plan and facilitate national steering committee meetings, ensuring Indigenous members have meaningful decision-making roles.
- Manage project budgets and funder reporting, including tracking cash and in-kind contributions.
- Lead competitive procurement for consultants, giving priority to Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous expertise where possible, and manage consultant work.
Impact measurement and data stewardship
- Develop measures of success that reflect funder requirements and community-defined priorities and outcomes.
- Apply Indigenous data sovereignty principles, such as the First Nations principles of OCAP® (ownership, control, access and possession), when collecting, using or sharing information with or about Indigenous Peoples.
Strategic advice and stakeholder support
- Advise EHRC leadership and staff on reconciliation, cultural safety and respectful engagement practices.
- Coordinate with the communications and stakeholder engagement teams to ensure communications are accurate, respectful and approved by the communities involved.
- Contribute to funding proposals that create new opportunities for Indigenous-focused initiatives.
- Represent EHRC with federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations.
- Coach and mentor project staff.
- Perform other duties as required by the organization.
Qualifications and experience
We know that skills and knowledge come from many places, including community, family, land-based learning and lived experience, and not only from formal education. If you meet many of these qualifications, but not all, we encourage you to apply.
- Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person, and/or significant experience working with and being accountable to Indigenous communities.
- Knowledge of the histories, cultures, rights and current priorities of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including the TRC’s findings and Calls to Action and UNDRIP.
- Experience building relationships and working collaboratively with communities, organizations and partners.
- Experience leading projects, including planning, budgeting and reporting.
- Strong communication skills, including writing reports and presenting to a wide range of audiences, from community gatherings to senior leaders.
- Experience facilitating inclusive discussions and activities that enable meaningful participation.
- A post-secondary education in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, community experience and work experience.
- Comfort with common software tools (such as Microsoft Office) and managing information.
Preferred qualifications and assets
- Experience with federally or provincially funded projects.
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff.
- Knowledge of the energy, utilities, skilled trades or STEM education sectors.
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative research, including Indigenous research methods.
- Ability to speak an Indigenous language.
- Project management training or certification (for example, PMP).
Work environment
- Ottawa-based hybrid work environment (minimum 3 days in office per week)
- Small office with a team of about 20 staff
- Close to public transit, with paid parking and local amenities nearby
- Some travel regionally and across Canada is required
Compensation and benefits
- This is a term, three-year contract with the possibility of extension
- Salary: $75,000 to $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience
- 15 days of paid vacation annually
- Flexible health benefits package after completion of probation, including prescription drug coverage and a health-care spending account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employer-matched RRSP contributions after one year of service
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
Applications
To apply for this open position, please submit a cover letter and resume via email to [email protected].
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Do you only meet some of the requirements but still think you are a good fit? At EHRC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
EHRC is an enthusiastic equal-opportunity employer. If you are selected for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview.
About EHRC
Electricity is an essential component of the Canadian economy, powered by over 120,000 Canadians who generate, transmit and distribute it to homes and businesses nationwide. As demographics and technology evolve, the industry must adapt and grow its skilled workforce. Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) supports this transition by providing objective research, information and tools on labour market trends, helping the workforce remain innovative and improve service quality. EHRC is a trusted partner, offering evidence-based solutions to the human resource challenges in the electricity sector.
We respectfully acknowledge that we conduct business on the ancestral and unceded territories of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Turtle Island. EHRC’s head office is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, whose enduring presence and contributions we honour.