Manager, Indigenous Programs

Location

Remote | Canada

Job description

Position Title: Manager, Indigenous Programs
Reports to: Director of Programs
Direct Reports: Indigenous Programs, KAIROS Blanket Exercise Staff
Classification: Management
Status: Full-time Permanent (35 hours/week)
Work Model (Location): Remote – Canada-wide, with periodic travel.
Job #: IRNU241

Context
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is an ecumenical movement for ecological justice and human rights. KAIROS includes three program Circles, a network of activists, and regional representatives, educators, and partners in Canada and around the world who help guide our work. We have an office in Toronto and home offices across the country.

KAIROS is committed to truth, healing, and reconciliation for the past and Indigenous justice for the present. We support an active process of decolonization— with ourselves, our communities, our churches, and our country, building just and respectful relationships between Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples. We support the recognition of Indigenous peoples as distinct peoples and nations, with rights to land and self-determination.

Current priorities include decolonization and reconciliation education, through KAIROS Canada’s most popular teaching tool the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, promotion of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (TRC), commitment to free prior and informed consent by companies and governments, exploration of the gendered impacts of resource extraction on Indigenous women, and solidarity with Indigenous-led struggles such as justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and equity for First Nations’ children.

Position Purpose
The Manager, Indigenous Programs will provide strategic and operational leadership for the KAIROS’ Indigenous Rights Program including the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) program. This includes a review and assessment of the current program direction, objectives, goals and needs of the Indigenous Rights programs and service delivery, ensuring they are excellent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of stakeholders, partners, and the Indigenous community while advancing
the goals and calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Anti-racism and Equity initiatives.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

1. Program Management

• Provide leadership, oversight, and guidance to the Indigenous Rights Program staff, (i.e. KAIROS Blanket Exercise team and Indigenous Rights Coordinator) by modeling collaboration, problem solving, and facilitating relationships of trust, cooperation and confidence;
• Oversee the refinement and successful implementation of the new KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) model by working closely with the KBE team, providing guidance and direction, with regular monitoring and review;
• Supervise and evaluate staff, providing support and assistance as needed to enhance their skills and professional growth;
• Actively manage team dynamics supporting a strong, equitable and healthy team culture, including responding to conflicts in a timely manner with a strong ARAO lens. Oversee staffing needs, including recruitment, management, staff development, staff orientation and training;
• Oversee the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Indigenous Rights Program and budget;
• Work closely with KAIROS’ Circles including the KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle (KIRC), and the KBE Indigenous Advisory Circle; and
• Develop and support relationships with Indigenous organizations and partners.

2. Leadership

• Play a leadership role in organizational strategic planning, policy/program development/review;
• Respond to issues that need urgent action or organizational response;
• Represent KAIROS at relevant national and international conferences, as requested, and for relationship building and thought leadership;
• Facilitate shared leadership collaboratively with rest of the management team to enhance capacity and the impact of work;
• Oversee successful implementation of the new model for the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) program working closely with the KBE team, monitoring and reviewing progress;
• Shape Indigenous Rights Program work in accordance with the Steering Committee policies and protocols, KAIROS’ approved Strategic Plan and in ways that complement the programs of KAIROS member churches and organizations; in line with the TRC Calls to Action and UNDRIP; and
• Provide strategic advice to the Senior Leadership Team, Steering Committee and Ecumenical and Indigenous Circles in areas related to program, and on emerging issues.

3. Indigenous Rights Program Evaluation and Planning

• Conduct assessment to evaluate the KBE program including curriculum, delivery model;
• Working closely with the Director of Programs, develop vision for the KBE team, including short-term and mid-term program, operational and individual staff work plans;
• Create and present reports, assessments, and proposals; including statistics, as requested;
• Initiate, support and strengthen community relations with program partners (government, industry, health and education sectors, and law enforcement) to support Indigenous Rights Program development and work; and
• Participate in service and financial planning processes to ensure that the overall Program priorities are met.

4. KBE Program Implementation

• Support the implementation of the working plan for programs and services, including refinement of current processes and procedures for new KBE Model framework to ensure efficiency and consistency;
• In collaboration with the team, develop regular evaluation and review schedule for the existing KBE curriculum. Also work closely with the KBE Training Coordinators to explore further development of KBE curricula (i.e., Youth and International);
• Review and set standards and procedures for the operation of the programs and foster the development of a professional culture of best practice, learning, innovation, research, evaluation, and responsiveness to current and emerging program needs. Suggest improvements in methods of data collection and analysis;
• Pursue synergies and promote collaboration and cross-cutting work across departments and the wider community;
• Explore securing and maintaining funding for the departments’ programs and services;
• Conduct review of operational plans and funding agreements to ensure quality of service,
  compliance with program procedures/guidelines and administrative completeness;
• Approve negotiated partnership agreements related to the KAIROS Blanket Exercise program;
• Conduct administrative meetings as required; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Your job title does not define or limit your duties, and you may be required to do other work within your abilities at our request. We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments, which may impact upon your job duties or methods of working.

All KAIROS staff will exhibit practices that recognize and uphold principles of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression (ARAO), exemplifying these principles in their dayto- day interactions with colleagues, partners, hosts, members, donors, supporters, and the public, and contribute to the organization’s DEI and ARAO development at the individual, team, and organizational levels.

Position Qualifications

Education

• University degree in Political Science, Human Rights, Social Work, Theology, or other relevant education
• Nonformal and traditional knowledge of Indigenous cultures and practices related to leadership and education.

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in relevant social justice work; and
• 3 years’ experience leading and managing teams.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with the Indigenous Rights and Ecological Justice issues including the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, environmental racism and policies/legislation on Indigenous peoples and communities;
• Capable of working collaboratively and respectfully with Indigenous Peoples, knowledge of Indigenous ways of teaching, learning & being, Indigenous history within Canada, and language and culture; remains current with the Truth;
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations, and a strong network of contacts in the Indigenous community;
• Experience and expertise in curriculum development and delivery in an Indigenous resurgence framework;
• Ability to work ecumenically and understand and present work in a Christian theological context;
• Collaborative work style working respectfully within a diverse virtual work environment; superior analytical, budget, and financial skills;
• Excellent leadership and administration skills, and experience related to strategic and operational planning, program management, staff supervision and team building;
• Excellent time management, interpersonal, conflict resolution, verbal and written communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently; respectfully and effectively with Indigenous organizations and communities, government bodies, educational institutions, churches and Christian organizations, and other key organizational actors;
• Capable of working in cross-cultural, anti-racist and anti-oppression frameworks;
• Resourceful and possess strong computer skills in the use of various software applications – Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, One Drive, Teams, Zoom and other social media and online platforms; and
• Knowledge of an Indigenous language and/or French is considered an asset.

Personal Characteristics

• Commitment to the mission and values of KAIROS and comfort working in an ecumenical Christian context;
• Recognition of personal and professional boundaries; and
• Must identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), a requirement.

Working Conditions
KAIROS has adopted a hybrid workplace model, providing flexibility for this position. This position will work remotely from a home office and spend time traveling to the Toronto office and other parts of Canada for meetings and events. Sitting and viewing a computer screen for long periods, keyboarding, using voice recognition software, intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing, and being on the phone for long periods of time will be required. Occasional additional hours, attendance at weekend meetings and events, and travel within and outside Canada may be required. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, KAIROS will aid employees who request accommodation throughout their employment with us, unless the position is deemed to be a bona fide occupational requirement and/or to the point of undue hardship considering issues of health, safety and cost.

TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Director of Programs at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 8th, 2024, please reference Job# IRNU241 in your subject line. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. KAIROS Canada is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

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