Director, Economic Development / Directeur/Directrice, Développement économique

Assembly of First Nations

Director, Economic Development

Full-time/ Permanent

Internal / External

Location: Must be in the National Capitol Region and available to work on a hybrid basis or can relocate to Ottawa within a specified time.

Salary Range: AFN salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience and education. AFN also offers generous time off, a benefits and pension plan, stipends towards physical fitness and professional development, maternity and parental leave top up and access to a mental health counselor.

Closing Date: Open until filled.

Application Instructions: Interviews will be held over ZOOM.

Qualified persons of First Nations Ancestry will be given preference in accordance with s.16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The AFN is dedicated to an inclusive selection process and work environment. If you require accommodation, please advise the Human Resources representative when you are invited to meet regarding this employment opportunity.

Who We Are

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is an advocacy organization, taking direction and fulfilling mandates as directed by First Nations in-Assembly through resolutions. As a national advocacy organization for First Nations, the AFN seeks to advance First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights through the development policy, public education and where applicable, the co-development of legislation to build First Nations capacity.

The AFN was created out of a desire among First Nations leadership for a strong and effective collective advocacy organization. From this, values such as respect for human rights, diversity, justice, and the sovereignty of each rights-holding First Nation guide the work of the organization.

The Role

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the position of Director, Economic Development. The Director is responsible to lead the sector in fulfilling national advocacy strategies related to First Nations Economic Development.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Economic Development and Infrastructure, the role has the following strategic duties and responsibilities:

• Leads, develops, and motivates the Economic Development employees in achieving sector plans, goals, objectives and priorities, including researching, developing, and delivering a strategic plan in support of First Nations advocacy.
• Fosters a positive work environment and manages the human, operating and capital assets of the Sector.
• Works with Human Resources to oversee the hiring of employees, conducts performance appraisals, and ensures that staff comply with AFN policies and procedures.
• Oversees the sector budget, proposal submissions and reporting to federal government departments.
• Collaborate within the other branches and sectors across a horizontal organizational structure.
• Updates and shares information internally and externally as required.
• Builds, develops and maintains strong relationships and productive networks with national, regional, and First Nation Leaders, specialists, organizations, and communities.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal government officials.
• Represents the AFN in a variety of forums, presentations, panel discussions, conversations, and meetings, related to Sector issues and matters, promote the interests of the AFN, enhance the AFN’s profile, and improve public awareness and understanding.
• Oversees and participates in national, regional, and local engagement sessions.
• Align sector activities with political priorities from the National Chief’s Office and First Nations-in-Assembly resolutions.
• Attend First Nations-in-Assembly, parliamentary standing committees and other events as required.
• Prepares materials as required for the National Chief’s Office, such as presentations, speaking notes, briefing notes, memos, and other correspondence promptly.
• Participates as an integral member of the senior management team, leading and contributing positively to team strategic and tactical planning processes focusing on matters related to infrastructure.
• Plans key milestone events.
• Oversees the preparation, coordination, processing, editing and completion of Sector materials such as briefing notes, speaking notes, presentations, annual reports, reports, quarterly reports, updates, letters, memos, brochures, posters, postcards, e-bulletins, email, articles, papers, and record of decisions and minutes, invitations, workplans, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A university degree in commerce, law, economics or First Nations Studies or a related field of study and 5+ years of relevant management level experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant demonstrated knowledge and understanding of First Nations economic development.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Global Affairs Canada and/or other related Federal and Provincial departments and their various programs and initiatives related to First Nations.
• Significant knowledge of programs, policies and legislations impacting First Nations involvement in agriculture, clean energy, fisheries, forestry, procurement opportunities and other sectors of the economy.
• Strong analytical skills and capability to provide quality deliverables with an attention to detail.
• Demonstrated advanced communications skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated successful experience working with First Nations Governments and within First Nations networks.
• Demonstrated successful experience in establishing effective relationships with federal, provincial, territorial governments and officials.
• Demonstrated superior leadership skills, sound judgement, and collaborative teamwork.
• Diplomacy, tact, sound judgement, problem-solving, and decision-making ability.
• Planning, organizing, monitoring, and evaluating skills.
• English is the working language; however, the ability to work in both official languages or an Indigenous language is an asset.

Thank you for your interest in employment with the AFN! We truly appreciate your application and will carefully review your resume. As we receive a high number of applications, we want to inform you that we can only contact shortlisted candidates.

AFN may cancel, postpone, or revise employment opportunities at any time.