Director, Negotiations

Are you a strategic leader with demonstrated experience in negotiations working with Indigenous peoples? If so, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is looking for an effective negotiator and consensus builder to lead multi-party, multi-issue land claim negotiations on behalf of the province.

As Director, you will provide strategic guidance and risk management advice on land and resources issues. You will lead the settlement of negotiations and establish collaborative business relationships with partners and stakeholders in support of land claim negotiations. Most importantly, you will contribute to the advancement and promotion of Ontario's objectives in achieving reconciliation in action.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for the Negotiations Branch.
• Lead land claims and negotiations to achieve targeted results consistent with Ontario's strategic goals, objectives and priorities.
• Provide advice on issues, problem resolution, and program expertise to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister, and Minister.
• Establish and maintain collaborative, positive partnerships and relationships with Indigenous communities, other ministries, and jurisdictions.
• Represent the Ministry and the Ontario Government at senior level discussions with Indigenous representatives, Canada, and other provinces.
• Support and promote a productive, professional team environment which fosters a culture of excellence and creates an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible work place.

How do I qualify?

Strategic Leadership

• You have demonstrated senior leadership expertise and experience in Indigenous affairs, to serve as a credible representative between Ontario and First Nations communities.
• You are an experienced senior leader and can foster an inclusive, innovative and high-performing workplace culture where new ideas are valued.
• You have experience managing strategic and operational priorities and activities to contribute to the timely, efficient and effective achievement of program goals, objectives and plans.

Negotiations Experience/Problem-Solving

• You are a strong negotiator who can influence others to find collaborative solutions for complex issues in a cross-cultural context.
• You have superior communication and negotiation skills to establish collaborative relationships and consensus among a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• You have strong conflict resolution skills with demonstrated decision-making and creative problem-solving skills.
• You are a strategic thinker who has identified issues and risks arising from negotiations along with proactive approaches to resolving them.

Understanding of Indigenous Communities

• You have knowledge of Indigenous affairs, culture, socio-economic issues, organizations, land claim history, self-government principles, to support achievement of negotiations and negotiated agreements.
• You model and champion collaborative approaches and balance Indigenous and stakeholder interests.
• You have demonstrated success in engaging Indigenous organizations and promoting partnerships.
• You have in-depth knowledge of federal, provincial and local government legislation, regulations and jurisprudence, as well as policies, programs, positions and processes which affect Indigenous affairs.
• You are familiar with the current and historical relations, positions and issues affecting land claim and self government issues between Canada, Ontario and Indigenous communities.

Political Acuity, Relationship and Issues Management

• You have excellent analytical and strategic thinking along with a strong sense of political acuity to deal with a variety of sensitive issues.
• You have employed interest-based approaches to achieve successful outcomes with internal and external partners having competing interests.
• You have significant experience in issues management, including the ability to effectively advise senior management on emerging issues, crises, and emergency situations.
• You have knowledge of processes for government decision-making in a complex, matrixed and multi stakeholder environment.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 27, 2019 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.