JOB OPPORTUNITY – UNION OF BC INDIAN CHIEFS, VANCOUVER OR REMOTE
Permanent Full-Time Policy Analyst, First Nations Child and Family Well-Being

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is seeking a permanent, full-time Policy Analyst, First Nations Child and Family Well-Being. The Policy Analyst’s work will be based on the mandates provided by the UBCIC Chiefs Council through resolutions. The Policy Analyst will report directly to the UBCIC Policy Director and work closely with the UBCIC policy team and our partner organizations. The position will be based in the UBCIC’s Vancouver office, and remote options are available.

Key Job Functions include:

• Providing analysis, coordination and support for the UBCIC in relation to children and families related policy work, including supporting work on the Tripartite Working Group on Children and Families (TWGCF) with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC).
• Responding to requests from UBCIC membership for support on their work in resumption of jurisdiction over their children.
• Participate on a range of committees and working groups in a technical capacity on behalf of UBCIC, and keep leadership briefed.
• Working as part of a team across multiple organizations to support the FNLC policy and legal advisors and staff in carrying out the work under the TWGCF Reconciliation Charter, Terms of Reference and Workplan, in accordance with direction provided by the UBCIC, as part of the FNLC, as well as related work on early learning.

Specific Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating work under the TWGCF Workplan in partnership with colleagues from BC Assembly of First Nations and First Nations Summit, supporting the UBCIC policy and legal advisors and staff in providing advice and recommendations to the UBCIC and FNLC in its engagement with Canada and BC on reforming First Nations child welfare and bringing about systemic change toward improved Indigenous child and family well-being in BC and supporting First Nations in exercising their inherent rights of self-determination and jurisdiction over child and family services and wellbeing;
• Prepare speaking notes, briefing notes, reports, communications and presentation materials, and other assignments with often competing deadlines, to provide high-level briefings to political leadership;
• Conduct and provide research, analysis, advice and succinct recommendations on assigned policy, program, legislative or other key issues;
• Prepare for and attend meetings with the UBCIC, FNLC, FNLC policy and legal advisors, the TWGCF, internal tripartite secretariat committee, provincial and federal government partners, Chiefs’ assemblies, and others, as required;
• Support and facilitate meetings with First Nations and First Nations mandated organizations, as related to the work of the Children and Families file;
• Keep high-level minutes of meetings attended;
• Perform other duties as reasonably required to support the UBCIC, as part of the FNLC, as a partner at the TWGCF;
• Coordinate work with other policy analysts and provide direction and/or supervision as requested; and
• Participate in UBCIC staff activities and duties.

Qualifications:

• Significant experience (at least three years) working with policy as it relates to children and families’ issues and/or First Nations inherent rights, plus some experience with legislation and regulation, preferably within a First Nations provincial/territorial organization or First Nation administration;
• University Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, preferably in a related discipline, such as social work, law, public administration or First Nations studies;
• Experienced with and knowledge of First Nations historical, political and legal issues;
• Excellent analytical, judgement, persuasion and consensus abilities;
• Strong organizational skills, excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and produce results within specified timelines;
• Able to work independently, as well as a member of a diverse team, where productive relationships are developed and maintained;
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues including supervisory experience;
• Flexible schedule, may include evenings and weekends;
• Travel, as required.

Please send a cover letter, resume and references to the attention of the UBCIC Policy Director via [email protected]. We thank all candidates for their interest and regret that only those candidates who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted. Open until filled.

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply. However, qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority.

About the UBCIC

The UBCIC is a not-for-profit organization representing and taking direction from over 100 Indigenous Nations in BC. Our aim is to protect and advance the political and territorial rights of Indigenous people in BC. We support Indigenous Peoples at regional, national, and international forums. The UBCIC’s mandate is to work towards the implementation, exercise, and recognition of our inherent Title, Rights, and Treaty Rights, and to protect our lands, waters, and resources through the exercise and implementation of our own laws and jurisdiction. The UBCIC strengthens Indigenous Nations to assert and implement their Aboriginal Title, Rights, Treaty Rights, and Right of Self-Determination as Peoples.  The UBCIC upholds the principles and standards articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the establishment and maintenance of a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being, and rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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