Senior Advisor (Remote – Ontario)

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development.
• Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses
• Remote/hybrid work offered for various positions
• Paid management days

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

Reporting to the Senior Director Strategy & Communications, the Senior Advisor, will lead various internal and intergovernmental initiatives to advance ONWA’s priorities and the strategic direction with particular attention to intergovernmental, including international, affairs. The Senior Advisor will provide analysis, advice, guidance, and recommendations to ONWA’s portfolio teams and Senior Leadership on the development and implementation of reports/submissions, advocacy, research and approaches that address issues affecting Indigenous Women and their families.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A post-secondary degree/diploma in the area of Education, Women’s/Indigenous Learning, Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations/Human Rights, Public Policy Administration or comparable area with a minimum of five (5) years relevant experience. Government experience would be an asset.
• Experience in strategy development including the development of proposals, scoping and scaling, critical analysis, options development, advocacy, report/submission writing and evidence-based decision-making using an Indigenous Gender Based Analysis lens
• Demonstrated experience in research, policy analysis and strategic policy, including environmental scanning methodologies with the ability to apply information to the development of strategic program analysis and options
• Demonstrated experience in writing for, and briefing, senior leadership to support decision making on expert evidence-based strategic policy recommendations and advice that aligns with strategic organizational priorities and key organizational mandate objectives
• Proven project management skills to develop complex plans, track multi-interconnected initiatives, establish priorities, anticipate issues, and implement recommendations across all functional teams and work groups.
• Experience establishing detailed work plans with forecasted milestones and team priority plans to ensure coordinated, quality output that meets timelines and anticipated outcomes.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills to clearly articulate context, background, advice, issues, options, and other considerations through reports, briefing materials or submissions in a manner that is translatable to partners including, community, government, other associations, and members.
• Extensive experience developing key messages that strategically link all initiatives into overall key messages for senior leadership.
• Experience in developing and maintaining partnerships both internally and externally to exchange information, collaborate, generate consensus.
• Experience proactively identifying issues and risks, creating, and implementing mitigation strategies, and resolving issues that arise.
• Experience in consulting with stakeholders and partners to anticipate and manage potential issues and negotiate and resolve concerns that may arise.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting program and policy advice to Executive and Senior leadership (both written and oral), Community Partners, and Government stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of human rights and human rights mechanisms, political, social, and economic issues impacting Indigenous Women in Ontario and ONWA’s strategic objectives as it relates to the development of policy.
• Knowledge of the corporate nature, government systems and administration with the ability to interact with multiple government departments, Indigenous organizations, communities and other not-for-profit organizations.
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
• Capacity to solve complex problems and to see different perspectives.
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work well independently and as part of team with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of Not-For Profit Organizations and government processes, policy, and performance measurement.
• Proficient working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
• Ability to travel, including internationally, as required.
• Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
• Current, valid vulnerable sector screening. Valid 1st Aid/ CPR.
• Cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
• ONWA is committed to implementing measures that protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at hr@onwa.ca.