Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide expert advice and liaison/coordination services for the delivery of the Indigenous affairs agenda in the region, including policy input, natural resources management, issues management, strategic/work planning and training.

To advise, support and/or lead/facilitate consultations, negotiations and initiatives on behalf of the region related to land and natural resource programs/issues resolution with Indigenous people within the ministries mandate and relevant legislative/legal requirements.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Policy Application and Input


Provides expert advice, assistance and support to regional/district management and staff on the application of provincial resource management policies, legislation, programs, standards and guidelines with respect to complying with the provinces Indigenous program/policy direction and meeting the Crowns legal requirements consultations with Indigenous communities and associated tribal councils and Treaty Organizations within the region.
Provides input into the ministry policy development process, ensuring that operational considerations are accounted for in policy development, implementation and application.
Coordinates/participates in regional implementation of new program initiatives and policies related to natural resource use/access/management for Indigenous people in accordance with ministry/government objectives.
Represents the region/division on internal ministry and inter-ministerial and inter-agency committees and working groups related to Indigenous issues.

2. Advisory Services and Issues Management
Leads/facilitates the management of critical issues relating to Indigenous natural resources matters through the interpretation of ministry policy; recommends solutions to contentious Indigenous natural resource issues and matters. Prepares briefing notes and responses to inquiries for the Regional Resources Manager (RRM), Regional Director (RD), the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) and the Deputy Minister on issues related to Indigenous operational issues and Indigenous interests.
Leads and participates on Regional Indigenous committees networks to remain current on activities and convey direction on protocols and handling of issues. Reviews district Indigenous consultation and engagement plans for consistency with broader Indigenous program direction.
Coordinates training and development to district/regional staff on handling of Indigenous issues, problems and negotiations.
Relays interpretation from ministry corporate branches on intent/application of court decisions and Indigenous Constitutional law related to Indigenous people.
Provides advice and support to senior management and may be directly involved in negotiations and issue resolution/intervention in situations of unrest at a local level (e.g. demonstrations/protests, blockades and confrontations).

3. Stakeholder Relations, Consultations and Negotiations
Coordinates consistent delivery of Indigenous relations program across the region/districts and integration across diverse but inter-related teams to facilitate effective Indigenous engagement in natural resources planning and management.
Leads or assists regional/district management and corporate staff in the preparation and organization of meetings with Indigenous organizations, First Nations communities, special interest and stakeholder groups; provides supporting materials and attends such meetings in an leadership, advisory or support role.
Provides advice, direction and support to ministry/regional program areas representing the ministry or the province in negotiations and consultations with Indigenous people in relation to land and natural resources.
Leads negotiations and consultations on behalf of the region; participates in Indigenous negotiations led by other divisions or ministries; identifies research requirements to support regional negotiating/consultations; provides advice to ministry program areas on consultation/negotiation.
Leads Indigenous initiatives as delegated (e.g. Indigenous Land Use Planning for Tribal Councils within AOU, regional trap cabin protocol).

4. Program Delivery Support


Leads strategic thinking, planning and problem solving for Indigenous issues and affairs within the region.


Leads/facilitates/participates in regional/divisional level strategic planning and analysis regarding MNRFs delivery of Indigenous policy and corporate Ontario objectives in relation to Indigenous people and other regional/district program deliverables.

Contributes to the development of unit and regional financial annual work plans; accountable for financial management of assigned project allocations.

Knowledge / Skill :

Disciplines related to natural resource management and/or Indigenous studies or native law to lead/facilitate/participate in regional/divisional level strategic thinking, planning and problem solving for
Indigenous issues and affairs within the region, including consultations and negotiations involvement.

Natural resources management principles and best practices with expertise in Indigenous history, cultures, treaties, issues, Ontario Indigenous policies, program objectives to produce credible, reasoned and viable advice/direction of Indigenous resource management operational/policy issues and develop/coordinate effective and consistent delivery of Indigenous relations program and implementation of new initiatives/polices across the region/districts.

Legislation, policies and programs within MNRF as well as an awareness of other ministries, agencies and governments which could impact upon MNRF natural resource management and corporate Ontario Indigenous policy to provide advice/input into operational planning/development and ministry policy development process.

Planning and coordination to lead/assist with the preparation and organization of meetings with Indigenous organizations, First Nations communities, special interest and stakeholder groups, coordinate training and development to district/regional staff on handling of Indigenous issues, problems, negotiations and participate in the development of unit/regional financial annual work plans.

Oral and written communication, with a proven ability to deal with diverse groups including the general public, to converse effectively with a variety of contacts, stimulate discussions and provide advice on Indigenous policy issues; write briefing materials/responses to inquiries on behalf of senior regional management.

Computer operations to use word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software programs to prepare briefing materials, correspondence and other materials.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Relationship management, tact and discretion to deal effectively with First Nations and Indigenous organization representatives, interest group representatives, provincial officials, media and general public.

Facilitation and negotiation skills to facilitate effective Indigenous engagement in natural resources planning and management and lead/participate on negotiations and consultations within the region or those led by other divisions or ministries.

Facilitation skills to identify options and find common ground on issues and differences of opinions.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Interpret the intent of legislation and policies related to natural resource management as well as Indigenous policy and legal obligations to provide expert advice/assistance with management of critical issues relating to Indigenous resource matters.

Interpret and translate local experiences and operational considerations in varying circumstances into viable policy recommendations in support of ministry policy development.

Research and investigate issues and material requirements to support regional negotiating/consultations.


Assemble and disseminate from widely diverse subjects and points of view all aspects and options on specific Indigenous, operational and field project proposals and recommend option that ensures full consideration of land and resource management, political and social implications on the ministry, other ministries and inter- governmentally.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Providing operational input to the ministry's policy development process.


Coordinating/participating in regional implementation of new program initiatives and policies in accordance with ministry/government objectives and Crown/legal obligations.

Providing leadership, expert sound advice to regional/district managers and staff on the management of critical issues relating to Indigenous natural resources matters/issues within the region.

Providing direction/support with undertaking/facilitating regional negotiations and consultations with Indigenous people.

Leading/facilitating/participating in regional/divisional level strategic planning and analysis, including development of work plans for regional delivery of Indigenous policy.
Has latitude to identify new areas that require policy attention; coordinate training across the region/districts and diverse teams on handling Indigenous issues; contribute to the development of unit/regional financial annual work plans and provide financial management of assigned project allocations.
Decisions are guided by relevant legislation, ministry policies and programs with few precedents to follow where policies and ministry positions are not clearly defined.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Regional Director (RD) as required or to support RD in discussions with other senior managers to brief, inform and advise.

Other ministries (ENDM, MECP, IAO) to participate in discussions and/or consultations/negotiations impacting the region and confirm information.

First Nations, Indigenous Treaty and political organizations to exchange information, discuss, consult and provide advice in areas of responsibility.

Participates on selected internal ministry, inter-ministerial/agency committees and working groups.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provide advice and expertise related to handling Indigenous issues, problems, negotiations, etc. to regional/district managers and staff.

Provide advice and direction to colleagues and associates within other divisions (e.g. Indigenous Policy Branch, Legal Services) on field operational issues, policy interpretation/application in field situations and operational input into the ministry policy development process.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequently required to respond to unexpected requests within short deadlines and time pressures, including the preparation of briefing materials, responses to inquiries and meeting support materials.

Frequent travel to attend meetings in the region.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequent requirement to concentrate when conducting research/analysis to deal with issues and prepare for meetings/negotiations and draft briefing materials, responses to information requests.

Frequent requirements to listen intently when attending meetings, consultations or negotiations.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.