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**Indigenous Women are encouraged to apply. First preference will be given to all qualified Indigenous applicants.**
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 and may include, remote work
Comprehensive benefits program including health, medical, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
Competitive Retirement Savings Plan up to 16% with organization match pending position
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 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 support various initiatives to address priorities and the strategic direction of ONWA. The Senior Advisor provides advice, guidance and recommendations to the portfolios and Senior Leadership on the development and implementation of programs that address issues affecting Indigenous Women and their families across the Province.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A post-secondary degree/diploma in the area of Education, Women’s/Indigenous Learning, Social Sciences, Political Science, or Public Policy Administration with a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience. Government experience in any of these portfolios would be an asset.
Extensive experience in end-to-end program development, including the development of proposals, scoping and scaling, critical analysis, options development, and evidence-based decision-making using an Indigenous Gender Based Analysis lens.
Demonstrated experience in research and environmental scanning methodologies with the ability to apply information to the development of strategic program analysis and options.
Demonstrated experience in writing and briefing senior leaders on expert evidence-based program 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 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 in reviewing organizational planning initiatives and developing key messages that strategically link all initiatives into overall key messages for senior leadership.
Experience in developing and maintaining stakeholder partnerships to exchange information, collaborate, and generate consensus.
Experience proactively identifying issues and risks, creating, and implementing mitigation strategies, and resolving issues that arise.
Experience in consulting with stakeholders to anticipate and manage potential issues and negotiate and resolve concerns that may arise.
Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting program advice to Executive and Senior leadership (both written and oral), Community Partners, and Government stakeholders.
Solid understanding of 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 other government departments, Indigenous organizations, and communities.
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 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.
Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
Current, valid vulnerable sector screening. Valid 1st Aid/ CPR.
A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position
Must be willing and able to work a 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.
KEY CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Inter-cultural Competency Informed-Understands to incorporate a personal responsibility to increase sensitivity, awareness and implementation of ONWA’s cultural teachings and organizational practices in both professional conduct and work-related deliverables.
Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Informed-Understands to incorporate an intersectional approach to gender, race and discrimination and subsequent intergenerational impacts affecting Indigenous women and their families.
Trauma-Based Practice Informed-Understands to incorporate a trauma-informed approach to recognize and respond to all forms of trauma and the necessity of supporting Indigenous women in a culture of tradition and safety in her healing journey.
She is Wise Leadership Informed-Understands to incorporate the Four Agreements within daily responsibilities and combined with ONWA’s cultural teachings contribute to the empowerment and leadership of Indigenous women within their communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES – SPECIFIC:
Provide program expertise, identify gaps, and develop programs and proposals with recommendations that are aligned with the ONWA’s strategic priorities and objectives.
Deliver program advice, speaking notes, info notes, options notes and/or briefings to Senior Management and Senior Leadership regarding strategic program renewal and emerging issues.
Act as an Advisor/Mentor for Program/Policy Analysts by preparing work plans and identifying areas requiring further development/amendment and assessing the quality and content of briefing notes, background information, speeches, internal documents, publications, and other policy documents.
Monitors political, social, economic, and legislative developments which affect programs and initiatives under ONWA’s mandate.
Provide an Indigenous Gender Based analysis of program options and present summaries, recommendations, and reports on a variety of complex issues, programs, and services.
Prepare written reports, papers, and briefing materials, with recommendations for consideration by the ONWA
Present and advocate ONWA’s position on program/policy issues impacting Indigenous Women at public events, legislative committees, and various tables.
Prepare all types of written communications – letters, briefing notes, reports, presentations – reflecting the ONWA’s position on issues impacting Indigenous Women for submission.
Review existing and emerging services, cutbacks and identify outstanding needs of Indigenous women and their families, both on and off-reserve.
Establish and maintain internal and external stakeholder and provide responses to programming issues arising from stakeholders and recommend viable policy solutions.
Work as part of a team both within the organization and with external funders and partners.
Research and develop innovative and culturally appropriate models and frameworks.
Review and write critical summaries of research literature, data and/or program designs.
Maintain up to date resources and bibliographies as they relate to programs and research on issues affecting Indigenous women and their families.
Attend meetings as required; represent ONWA at relevant committees and tables.
Design, with input from all portfolios, ONWA’s Strategic Plan and Resolutions in those areas that are related to issues affecting Indigenous women and their families.
Responsible for record keeping and file management as it relates to programs within the Executive Directors Office.
Other duties as assigned.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
The Senior Advisor will be directly accountable to the Senior Director Strategy & Communications for the proper completion of the functions outlined in the job description.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
As Indigenous leaders, ONWA is continuing full operations including hiring, while working from home, as supporting our community members is a priority. ONWA is scheduling all interviews, providing all training, onboarding and orientation for new employees, through the use of virtual tool.
