Provincial Policy Advisor

OFFICE LOCATION

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto or Ottawa preferred; flexible within Canada.

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Nature United is a national organization committed to reimagining conservation across Canada. Our mission is to create solutions for people and nature by building diverse partnerships to protect lands and waters and to ensure nature is the foundation of healthy communities, economies and future opportunities. Our areas of focus are to advance sustainable management of lands and waters by supporting Indigenous leadership and authority and responsible resource use, and to harness the power of nature to address the climate crisis by advancing natural climate solutions.

Our organization is honored to work with many Indigenous partners. We recognize and respect the Indigenous Peoples of Canada—First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nations—as the original rights-holders of the lands and waters in Canada. We have an ongoing commitment to continue to strengthen our awareness of the history and enduring impacts of colonialism, and to build partnerships based on reconciliation, as well as respect, equity, open dialogue, integrity and mutual accountability.

As an affiliate of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), what we do is informed by the best global science and supported by the leadership of the world’s largest conservation organization. Nature United is headquartered in Toronto and builds on the Conservancy’s long history of conservation achievements in Canada.

Visit www.natureunited.ca and www.nature.org to learn more.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Provincial Policy Advisor will work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and conservation program leads to develop and implement strategies to advance provincial and territorial government relations and achieve Nature United’s conservation goals through public policy, funding, and programming. Working within a matrixed structure, the Advisor will work with geographic teams in British Columbia, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories as well as cross-cutting strategy teams focused on advancing Natural Climate Solutions, Indigenous Leadership and Authority, and Conservation Financing across Canada.

Nature United is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to support increased authority of Indigenous peoples to steward their lands and waters. The Provincial Policy Advisor will work to ensure Nature United’s engagement with provincial and territorial governments is in alignment with our rights-based approach and is carried out in collaboration with Indigenous communities, industry sectors, governments and other civic organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Provincial Policy Advisor provides strategic and technical leadership on the development and implementation of Nature United’s engagement with key provincial and territorial governments, working with Nature United’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and conservation program leads. They identify and support implementation of strategies for provincial and territorial policies and funding to advance Nature United’s goals; support and facilitate program leads with engagement of bureaucratic and political leaders and offices; work with other partners (e.g. Indigenous governments and NGOs) to influence policy and funding decisions; manage lobbying reporting for all levels of government; and develop materials for communicating with all governments, including Indigenous governments, and corporate and NGO partners to support government relations goals. The Advisor may also support federal government relations strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

Report to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and collaborate with the whole Nature United team including geographic program and cross-cutting strategy leads;

Potentially supervise staff and manage large contracts;

Maintain regular contact and build respectful partnerships with Indigenous governments, non-governmental organizations, Crown governments, and key members of the private sector to influence government policy and funding decisions;

Engage with provincial and territorial, and potentially federal, governments to advocate for specific legislation, regulation, policy, programs, and funding recommendations;

Analyze existing legislation, regulation, policy, programs, and funding conditions and advise on improvements that will advance Nature United conservation priorities, including Indigenous-led conservation, conservation finance and Natural Climate Solutions;

Collaboratively, develop Nature United’s position on various provincial/territorial policy proposals and draft communications for sharing with government and partners in support of government relations strategies;

Support program leads with their engagement with government officials by preparing meeting briefs, talking points, and arranging meetings;

Manage and maintain Nature United and The Nature Conservancy’s lobbying registrations and communications reports, ensuring program compliance with internal policies and external requirements;

Make independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context, foreseeing risk and proactively seeking advice as needed; and

Participate in skill building and professional development opportunities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Relevant degree, BA/BS, or law and at least 4 years of related experience in provincial/territorial government relations or policy, or equivalent combination of education and experience;

Experience with managing a team of people, especially one lacking direct reports, and leading in an inspiring and supportive manner;

Experience understanding policy, political, and financial landscape surrounding implementation of climate actions, land-use decisions, conservation programs and Indigenous rights in Canada;

Experience working with multiple levels of Crown government;

Experience working with Indigenous governments and/or Indigenous community engagement;

Experience developing coalitions of partners, across organizational interests, committed to achieving shared goals;

Experience with excellence in verbal and written communications for diverse audiences; and

Experience with applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Web Browsers.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Success shifting policies in at least one level of government;

Expertise in land-use policy, climate change policy, and/or Indigenous rights in British Columbia, Manitoba or Northwest Territories;

Experience leading policy campaign(s);

Proven success creating innovative solutions to facilitate change;

Experience negotiating complex agreements with government and/or business;

Demonstrated understanding of Nature United’s shared values with the skills to advance them; and

Proficiency in French.

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

ORGANIZATIONAL SHARED VALUES

RESPECT – Practice Extraordinary Respect

We respect different work styles and are mindful of this within our interactions. We assume best intentions and can disagree productively, treating each other with kindness and equality. This practice builds trust and resilience

APPRECIATION – Appreciation and Celebration

We create an inclusive, supportive and fun workplace where diversity is valued, and all team members feel appreciated. We celebrate milestones and successes to honor the long timelines of this challenging and rewarding work

INNOVATION – Excellence, Adaptability, Risk-taking

We know excellence and innovation happen only through taking thoughtful risks and being open to failure as an honest teacher. We are a learning organization that values evidence in decision-making. When things don’t go as planned, we apply our learnings and adapt

COLLABORATION – Work Together with Clear Communication and Decision-making

We come to our work knowing that recognizing and including various perspectives as we tackle complex projects, issues, and relationships makes our work better. We use clear processes for decision making and communication that ensure they are efficient, transparent, and productive.

EMPOWERMENT – Balance and Support

We feel confident to take risks, ask questions, and have room to make honest mistakes. We are empowered to make decisions, set boundaries and are actively supported in these decisions. We value our own non-work time and that of others. This practice fosters the long-term health of staff and an environment where we bring our absolute best when we are at work.

CURIOSITY – Foster Curiosity, Creativity and Critical Thinking

We are curious and brave with our questions. We encourage creative ideas while being grounded in critical thinking. We are open to different forms of knowledge and have a responsibility to deliver high-quality work that builds an evidence base for conservation and capitalizes on our collective experience and knowledge.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 49733, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons.

Application deadline is 11:59 ET on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to building a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce, based on the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.