Land Claims Specialist and Team Lead

Showcase your leadership skills in this unique opportunity to lead, develop and coordinate land claims and consultation related initiatives and negotiations for the Indigenous Consultation and Partnerships Branch, Mines and Minerals Division.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:
• Provide leadership, expertise and direction to the ministry on Indigenous land claim management
• Lead and represent the ministry in Ontario's Indigenous land claim negotiations and public consultation processes
• Develop networking processes between key Indigenous and industry clients and stakeholders
• Facilitate and manage resolution of concerns and issues with and between key Indigenous and industry clients and stakeholders, including other ministries and levels of government
• Lead and coordinate the provision of consultation services (Indigenous affairs, negotiations, operational and policy information, interpretation, analyses, recommendations)
• Lead the development of negotiations, issues management, operational and policy-specific communication plans and strategies
• Provide strategic policy advice to ministries and agencies, boards, and commissions, on Indigenous affairs, negotiations, issues, relations, programs, policy projects and initiatives
• Lead project teams conducting studies/projects
• Lead the research and analysis of ministry policies, programs, and Cabinet submissions
• Coordinate the planning and development of research projects
• Lead and coordinate the development of in-depth reports, present policy options and recommendations to ministry senior management for decision making purposes, and prepare documentation (e.g. Cabinet submissions, legislative amendments).

Note: This position requires travel throughout Ontario, including travel to remote Indigenous communities

How do I qualify?

Business Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of legislation related to Indigenous affairs as well as meeting the ministry's duty to consult
• You have knowledge of policy, and program development principles and techniques as well as decision-making processes to lead and/or participate in the development of provincial policies and programs related to Indigenous affairs
• You understand Indigenous issues, history, culture, economic, legal, and political/structure issues underlying Indigenous policy development, including multi- jurisdictional issues, relationships, land/treaty negotiations, and matters of economic development, health, and welfare

Technical Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of theories, principles and practices of negotiation and mediation techniques to lead negotiations with the Federal government/other provinces and Indigenous representatives and to represent the ministry's interest in land claims being negotiated
• You have knowledge of program analysis/evaluation techniques to lead the development of benchmarks and performance criteria to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs

Leadership Skills:

• You can provide direction and leadership to Policy Advisors, and provide information and advice to clients and stakeholders on policies and implications
• You can oversee the development of recommendations for policy and program change
• You can lead and/or participate in the development of provincial policies and programs related to Indigenous Affairs

Research and Analytical Skills:

• You have effective research techniques to lead and coordinate environmental scans, analysis of best practices, qualitative/quantitative research, and analysis of options and impacts
• You can analyze and reconcile competing interests of stakeholders, interpret legislation and regulations, broad guidelines and develop provincial positions and policies or solutions to advance provincial/ministry strategic objectives for Indigenous affairs, and land claim negotiations

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• You have excellent oral and written communication skills to respond to issues, provide recommendations, prepare reports, Cabinet submissions, briefing materials and correspondence
• You have effective negotiation, mediation, consultation, and leadership skills to lead land claim negotiations and consultations with stakeholders
• You are able to represent the ministry on inter-jurisdictional task forces/working committees mandated to discuss issues and concerns

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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 Tuesday, September 7, 2021 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.