BACKGROUND:
SCO is a growing and dynamic regional First Nation organization that represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now southern Manitoba. Established in 1999 by the Chiefs, SCO is mandated as an independent organization to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nation peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
SCO provides competitive compensation and excellent pension and benefits, as well as a positive and supportive work environment.
OVERVIEW:
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Policy Analyst is responsible for tracking emerging issues, providing technical support to senior management, departments, and programs, and preparing position papers, reports, and other materials with recommendations for consideration to create positive change. This position frequently engages with other jurisdictions, organizations, and orders of government.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops, researches, reviews, and analyses complex and strategic policy, programs, funding opportunities, and processes. This includes daily monitoring of government announcements and specific government initiatives and legislation
- Represents SCO at interjurisdictional or intergovernmental working groups, internal SCO working groups, and at external community tables and boards
- Prepares written correspondence (advocacy letters), briefing notes, discussion documents, policy papers, options papers, research reports, strategies, and action and advocacy plans and activities for SCO senior management with a goal of increasing awareness of southern First Nations perspectives, needs, and rights
- Monitors federal and provincial government policy. Flags issues for senior management and communications
- Monitors and follows up on external correspondence to government and other partners
- Drafts funding proposals, program goals and objectives, and program budgets for the Service Delivery area (e.g. Jordan’s Principle, Status Card, Veterans, Mental Health and Wellness, Harm Reduction)
- Edits, reviews, and formats funding proposals from other SCO program areas such as Environment, Justice, and Economic Development, and facilitates the approval process
- Writes, collates, and submits annual and other program reporting (narrative and financial) to senior leadership and funders
- Creates complex reports, analyzes, organizes, and themes data for internal and external publications
- Edits complex documents such as responses to government consultations, Memorandums of Understanding, and agreements from SCO departments, ensuring documents adhere to SCO communication and language standards and formatting
- Provides technical assistance through training and capacity building in budget development and reporting, program implementation, and advocacy to program delivery leads and staff
- Coordinates special projects as determined by senior leadership
- Conducts focus groups, facilitates meetings, and delivers presentations on SCO or assigned projects
- Facilitates approval processes for program staff to senior leadership
- Coordinates and develops resolutions for SCO Chiefs-in-Summit, overseeing the resolution table at Chiefs-in-Summit gatherings
- Prepares briefing materials for Chiefs Executive Committee
- Prepares briefing materials for the Grand Chief’s Office
- Assists with the recruitment and hiring of program delivery staff
- Ensures detailed yearly work plans and deliverables are met
- Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- A degree in public policy, political science, or a related field. A master’s degree is an asset
- Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in policy analysis, including extensive experience writing advocacy letters, briefing notes, discussion, and policy papers. An equivalent combination of education and experience would be considered
- Knowledge and awareness of provincial and federal government policy and process, including policy areas that directly and indirectly impact First Nations
- Experience conducting complex and strategic research (e.g. Jurisdictional scans, literature reviews, interviews, stakeholder consultations, statistical analysis, focus groups, surveys) and policy analysis including knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of researching, evaluating, and analyzing information
- Knowledge of sources of data and current literature, emerging trends, and developments in First Nations issues and rights
- Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write clear, concise documents and reports with a high degree of accuracy and for a variety of audiences
- Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate research, policy, and ideas to a variety of audiences
- Self-motivated professional able to work independently with general supervision and as part of a team, and to balance competing interests, solve problems or impasses, and move initiatives forward to meet deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and productively with colleagues, supervisors, and other internal and external stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure, independently managing a wide range of tasks, often within short timelines and with precision
- Highly developed understanding of quality standards with respect to preparing, proofreading/editing, formatting, and packaging a variety of documents
- Political acumen and ability to maintain confidentiality when developing and handling sensitive information
- Understanding of human and Indigenous rights
- Ability to speak Dakota or Ojibway language an asset
- Proficiency with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Must provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check
- A valid class 5 MB driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle for business travel
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, at 4:00 PM CST
Preference will be given to qualified First Nations candidates.
Please self-identify in your cover letter.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources
Southern Chiefs’ Organization
202-600 Empress Street
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0L5
Fax: (204) 946-1871 | hr@scoinc.mb.ca
Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected will be contacted for further consideration.