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Job Specification
Position Title: POLICY OFFICER
Job Code: AMAPCEO - Resources Plan Mgt, 20PRP
Job ID: 21534

Purpose of Position:
To assist the Manager, Native Affairs Unit (NAU), and the ADM, Field Services Division, in coordinating and facilitating native policy planning and development within the context of comprehensive Ministry and government initiatives and objectives.

To manage regional natural resource initiatives involving aboriginal negotiations, resource management projects, self government and economic development.

To contribute to the formulation of aboriginal program objectives by participating in negotiations involving land claim activities, self-government initiatives and operational resource management issues and agreements; recommending solutions to contentious aboriginal natural resource issues and problems.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Develops, or assists in the development of program and comprehensive policies relating to natural resource use, access and management in respect of Aboriginal people.
• Provides advice and direction to persons representing the Ministry or the Province in negotiations with Aboriginal people in relation to land and natural resources.
• Assists in the facilitation of native affairs policy coordination within the Ministry and liaises with all Divisions with respect to native affairs policy direction.
• Assists the Manager (NAU), with corporate level strategic planning and analysis regarding MNR native policy and corporate Ontario objectives in relation to Aboriginal people.
• Assists in the management of critical issues relating to aboriginal resource matters through the interpretation of Ministry policy; recommends solutions to contentious aboriginal natural resource issues and problems.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes Cabinet Submissions and assesses the impact of policy proposals on the Ministrys mandate and the direction of Ministry native policy.
• Represents the Ministry on selected internal Ministry and interministerial Committees and Working Groups related to native policy issues.
• Assists the Manager (NAU), as well as the Assistant Deputy Minister (FSD), in the preparation of native policy issues for meetings with Aboriginal organizations, First Nations, special interest and stakeholder groups and attends such meetings in a support role to the Manager, the ADM and Deputy Minister.
• Prepares responses to enquiries and briefing notes for the Manager (NAU), Regional Directors, the Assistant Deputy Minister (FSD) and the Deputy Minister on issues related to native policy and aboriginal interests.
• Contributes to the development of Unit and Regional financial annual work plans; accountable for financial management of assigned project allocations.
• Provides expert advice, assistance and support to the Regional Director, District Managers and Field Liaison Specialists.
• Leads strategic thinking, planning and problem solving for aboriginal issues and affairs within the region, including all negotiation involvement.
• Coordinates the provision of training and development to district/regional staff on handling aboriginal issues, problems, negotiations, etc.
• Acts as negotiator, when required.
• Interprets the application of Aboriginal Constitutional law from direction from Legal Services Branch and other legal sources.
• Analyses and evaluates court decisions.
• Valid drivers license.

Knowledge:
Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in a discipline related to natural resource management, and/or the social sciences respecting native studies or law to assist the Manager (NAU) and the Assistant Deputy Minister (FSD) in native policy planning and development. Well developed communication skills, both oral and written, are necessary to converse effectively with a variety of contacts and stimulate discussions on native policy issues. A good understanding of policy development and the corporate decision-making process as well as extensive knowledge of natural resource management, aboriginal history, cultures, treaties and associated constantly evolving case law is necessary to produce reasoned and objective analysis of differing views and options on a variety of native operational and policy issues. A working knowledge of legislation, policies and programs within MNR as well as those of other ministries, agencies and governments which could impact upon MNR and corporate Ontario native policy is necessary to provide advice on policy planning and development. The incumbent must have solid analytical and negotiation skills, have a proven ability to deal with diverse groups including the general public, be able to work under pressure, and to work independently with little direct supervision but within a team approach framework.

Judgement:
Judgement is necessary in assembling and disseminating from widely diverse subjects and points of view, all aspects and options on specific native policy proposals and ensuring full consideration of ministerial, interministerial and intergovernmental implications of decisions related to these proposals. The incumbent regularly exchanges information and advice on policy matters with senior ministry and interministerial officials. Tact and discretion in dealing with First Nation and Aboriginal Organizations representatives, interest group representatives, and provincial officials is required. As results of work may ultimately cause changes in ministry and government policy, extreme care must be taken to ensure accuracy and good judgement. Judgement is required when participating in local and provincial level negotiations and in responding to queries from natural resource stakeholders, the media and the general public, particularly where policies and Ministry positions have not been clearly defined. There are often few precedents to follow in making decisions.

Accountability - Programs:
Incumbent is accountable for the stimulation, development and coordination and sound native policy with respect to the integration of such policies to the general policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and for providing sound advice to the Manager (NAU), the ADM (FSD), the Deputy Minister and senior ministry officials. Proper carrying out of responsibilities will contribute to comprehensive, well-articulated and coordinated policy within the Ministry. The incumbent is required to ensure consistency in approach and general feasibility, and identifies new areas that require policy attention.

Accountability - Personnel:
N/A

Accountability - Finance & Material:
N/A

Accountability - Impact of Errors:
Failure to ensure accuracy, good judgement and consideration of all sources and options on information and advice provided to senior ministry officials or put forward by the incumbent in senior ministerial discussions could have a negative impact (e.g., raise unnecessary issues in the Legislature, reduce credibility of the Government of Ontario in negotiations with First Nations and the Government of Canada, waste Cabinet Committee time) on the Ministry and the corporate Ontario aboriginal agenda. Errors could lead to inequities and unfairness in resource allocation decisions between aboriginal and non-aboriginal interest.

Contact - Internal:
Regularly in contact with colleagues and associates within the Field Services and the Natural Resources Management Division to exchange information, discuss and provide advice and direction in areas of responsibility and with the Deputy Minister and senior ministry officials (ie., Manager (NAU), District Managers, ADMs) to brief, inform and advise. Position reports directly to the Manager, Native Affairs Unit, and is matrixed to senior Regional management staff.

Contact - External:
Regular contact with senior officials in other ministries, First Nations, Aboriginal Treaty and Political Organizations, non-aboriginal interest groups to participate in decisions and direction setting, exchange of information, discuss, consult and provide advice in areas of responsibility. Also participates as a member of various interministerial committees, as assigned by the Manager, NAU. Liaises on a continuing basis with such Ministries as MNDM, ONAS, and with federal INAC to develop agreements and confirm information.
Contacts officials of a variety of resource management stakeholders and also individual Aboriginal peoples to provide information, explain policies, answer queries and discuss possible solutions to there related problems.