The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is seeking a Climate Policy Analyst to support the work of our organization and assist in carrying out the climate-related mandates as directed by UBCIC’s member Nations. Reporting to the Policy Director, the successful candidate will support UBCIC on policy work related to taking action on the climate emergency, and will support the BC-First Nations Leadership Council Technical Working Group on Climate Change (“Working Group”) to engage in dialogue, exchange information and develop recommendations on provincial climate change laws and regulations, clean energy policies, programs, and relevant actions. This position is a full-time one-year contract position beginning May 1, 2020, with the possibility of extension.
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 Peoples 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. The UBCIC Executive has a collaborative, working relationship with the political executives of the First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations, who work together as the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC).
Key job functions include:
- Working as part of the policy team to carry out the direction provided by the UBCIC Chiefs Council and UBCIC Executive through resolutions;
- Contributing to the overall functioning of the organization through assisting with coordination of and carrying out Chiefs meetings, Executive meetings and climate-related special events;
- Coordinating and supporting UBCIC engagement with external organizations and entities on climate-related initiatives including the First Nations Leadership Council, and with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting and facilitating discussions among UBCIC members and First Nations that seek to develop coordinated strategies for addressing climate change and other environmental issues;
- Collecting and coordinating local and regional climate change issues to transmit to the UBCIC and FNLC;
- Researching, analyzing and providing technical written advice to UBCIC and the FNLC regarding provincial, federal, and Indigenous climate change initiatives via briefing notes, reports and correspondence; Organizing, coordinating and facilitating meetings and communications between the three FNLC organizations and provincial officials for the Working Group, including interfaces with regional and federal officials as needed;
- Liaising with First Nations leadership, community members, traditional knowledge keepers, elders, youth, and women in BC to coordinate actions or communications;
- Compiling material for meetings and assisting in preparation of meeting packages;
- Keeping minutes of meetings attended; and
- Performing other duties as reasonably required.
Qualifications:
- Strong understanding of the history of Indigenous historical, political and legal issues;
- Post-secondary education in topics related to First Nations studies, environment, sciences, climate change and resource/project management;
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a domain related to climate change policies, coordination, and delivery with preference for experience working in or with First Nations in BC;
- Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills, including excellent writing skills;
- Demonstrated project management skills, with good ability to plan, organize and set priorities;
- Ability to work independently and expeditiously, including working under tight timeframes and competing priorities, in coordination with others, and a willingness to travel.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and references to the attention of Policy Director, Andrea Glickman. If sending by email, please send to [email protected] with the subject “UBCIC Climate Policy Analyst Application.” We thank all candidates for their interest and regret that only those candidates who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted. The posting closes on April 3, 2020.
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.