Advisor, Community Relations

Company: Métis Nation of Ontario

Salary Range: $54,330 – $ 61,920

Posting Closes: October 16, 2024

MNO’s culture is at our core

The MNO workplace culture is full of potential ready to be unlocked. As our Self-Governance agreement materializes, we are building a workplace culture of action, responsibility, and most importantly a desire to serve the Métis community. When defining what MNO culture is, it’s difficult, because of our diverse leadership styles, and the different programs and services offered. What that really means is there is a place for almost everyone under the MNO employer umbrella. We recognize people are different, and that is our source of strength. We bring opinions together, welcome healthy conflict, and look to always find answers, not problems.

What We Can Offer You

  • Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits and pension plan 
  • Generous vacation allotment starting at 15 day’s for regular employees and 20 day’s for management 
  • Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December 
  • 16 paid public and employer holidays
  • 15 paid health & wellness days 
  • Challenging, multi-disciplinary work environment that fosters learning and professional development 
  • Substantial educational incentive to promote personal and professional growth 
  • An opportunity to make a direct or indirect impact on the lives of the Métis Peoples across the Province
  • Other perks
    • Employee Assistance Plan
    • Telemedicine plan
    • Health care spending account
    • Goodlife corporate membership discount
    • Bell Mobility’s exclusive partner program
    • Staple’s corporate discount
    • Dell member purchase program
    • Mark’s corporate discount 

About the role

The Community Relations (CR) team of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is to support MNO’s 30 Chartered Community Councils and three Advisory Councils and their volunteers to function, achieve their purpose and goals and serve the citizens they represent. CR supports councils with all governance matters, community engagement, issues management, conflict resolution, and addressing citizen concerns. Increasingly, CR continues to develop and provide new tools and support to councils to better communicate with the citizens they represent.

As an integral part of the CR team, the CR Advisor will undertake CR projects, assist with developing resources, provide training, and promote council engagement within established priorities and goals. The CR Advisor regularly engages with elected MNO leadership to identify opportunities to advance council and MNO priorities and supports the MNO Community and Advisory Councils regarding all governance matters. 

The CR Advisor will also collaborate with staff from the Self-Government Strategy and other Branches to address issues directly related to MNO councils.   

The Community Relations Advisor reports to the Manager of Community Relations within the Self-Government Strategy Branch and will have the following essential duties and responsibilities:   

What you will be doing

  • Provide training, make presentations, and be strong in team collaboration.
  • Identify and assist community councils with community engagement and general inquiries.
  • Able to take a lead role with special projects.
  • Writing memos, briefing notes, and reports and contributing to training material development.
  • Create, draft, review and edit written materials.
  • Assist and be able to lead with meeting planning and coordination, including MNO Zoom Town Halls and webinars, as well as in-person support during the MNO’s Annual General Assembly. 
  • Manage and facilitate engagement sessions and meetings and prepare relevant materials.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to support CR-related meetings, including creating necessary presentations, feedback surveys, and follow-ups.
  • Work with the CR team to develop, update, and facilitate training initiatives and deliver presentations to Community and Advisory Councils, committees, working groups and MNO staff as may be relevant.
  • Provide knowledge translation for training on MNO council governance, policies, and procedures.
  • Actively working to promote the MNO, its priorities and its key policy initiatives.

Qualifications 

  • Community Engagement Skills and Experience
  • Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
  • Effective communicator with experience speaking to a variety of audiences.
  • Strong writing, grammar and editing skills.
  • Organization skills and time/priority management.
  • Ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced multi-issue environment, serving various internal and external interests.
  • Detail-oriented and results-focused.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to take the lead and complete tasks on time.
  • Creative, resourceful and forward-thinking.
  • Experience with event and/or project coordination.
  • Experience hosting Zoom meetings and/or Webinars.
  • Ability to grasp and be sensitive to politics.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality and cultural sensitivity.
  • Knowledge of the Métis and Indigenous issues or demonstrated ability to acquire and expand their understanding of Métis specific matters quickly.
  • Demonstrated understanding of not-for-profit or Métis governance processes an asset.
  • Website and social media experience are assets.
  • Bilingualism (English/French/Michif) is an asset.

Education and Experience:

  • A post-secondary education in political science, communications or other relevant program from a recognized university or college or an equivalent combination of education and work experience is required. 
  • A minimum of 1-3 years experience is required, preferably with not-for-profits, federal, provincial, municipal, or Indigenous government or agency.
  • Must be highly technologically literate, proficient with MS Office, Outlook, and videoconferencing platforms (Zoom), and able to learn new software as required.
  • Willingness to participate in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.

Other Requirements:

  • Able to flex working hours, including evenings or occasional weekends, as required.
  • Willing and able to travel, at times, with overnight stays in other communities.
  • Ability to work remotely (from home).
  • A valid Ontario driver’s license.
  • Must follow the MNO’s Covid-19 policies.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.metisnation.org/careers/003 – Advisor, Community Relations

AODA Statement

The Métis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Métis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.

Please email human resources if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.

Special Services Organization

The Métis Nation of Ontario is a special services organization. All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference may be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.