004 - Consultation Advisor

About the Role: 

The Lands, Resources and Consultations (LRC) Branch works towards the goals of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) by protecting Métis rights and helping Métis protect and preserve the lands and waters within Métis traditional territories. The Consultation Advisor provides technical advice to the MNO’s Regional Consultation Committees (RCCs), staff, legal council, and citizens to support the Crown’s Duty to Consult and Accommodate and/or engage with external organizations on lands and resources matters of concern to Métis communities. This involves undertaking technical analyses of project plans/government policies, regulations and/or recommendations, undertaking research, identifying opportunities to support the work, acting as a resource in community information sessions, and supporting Métis leadership in their relationships with industry representatives, representatives of regulatory and government agencies and other organizations. As the role involves liaising with industry, Consultation Advisors may also support regional economic development work. The Consultation Advisor reports to a Manager in the LRC branch.

To support these duties, staff coordinate and respond to legal consultation requests, help prepare funding applications, support community engagement processes and ensure that the Duty to Consult and Accommodate owed to the regional rights bearing Métis communities in Ontario is being fulfilled.  In order to achieve this, advisors provide technical advice and lands and resources matters, facilitate discussions about issues that are complex, confidential and politically sensitive, organize various types of meetings including community information sessions and liaise with external agencies. This requires problem-solving skills as well as specialized knowledge in advocacy, regulatory processes, technical expertise, and environmental expertise. Interpersonal skills, such as adaptability and cultural sensitivity, are required to fulfill the role.

Advisor roles require functional knowledge of Indigenous consultation and accommodation and engagement processes and a high degree of independent decision making and problem solving for specialized tasks and responsibilities. Advisor roles require subject matter expertise and experience in specific areas, such as resource development, reconciliation, the Duty to Consult and Accommodate, Indigenous traditional knowledge and Métis rights. Knowledge of particular industries (e.g., forestry, mining, nuclear), government policies, or ecosystems, etc. may also be required.

Specialized knowledge is gained through work experience in an environment, sector or industry; specialized education, usually at the post-secondary level, or equivalent experience; and/or a designation (in process or completed).

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Coordinate and respond to consultation requests from governments, industry, and proponents regarding land use, development projects, and environmental assessments.
• Oversee and engage in research related to consultation requests. Collaborate and provide technical expertise to the Regional Consultation Committee (RCC) and the LRC Branch to identify potential impacts of the proposed projects.
• Plan, organize and execute engagement activities / logistics with the RCC and the impacted community, including organizing and facilitating engagement/consultation meetings, site tours, community information sessions, etc.
• Document and record-keep important information from consultation and accommodation and engagement activities, including preparing agendas, briefings, briefing notes, reports and presentations.
• Develop communication plans for the project, including the development of content, and plain speak communication tools, such as mail outs, website ads, and other communications for the Métis Community related to the project.
• Track through a project tracking system and maintain detailed records related to activities and deliverables, such as:
1. Meetings attended with communities, dates and locations;
2. Meetings attended with other organizations, dates and locations;
3. Issues discussed;
4. List and description of initiatives that have been undertaken/addressed;
5. Training undertaken by the Advisor; and
6. General outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with other staff of the LRC branch and other branches including the Way of Life team to implement various programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the RCC, project consultants, and MNO staff for matters related to community engagement, employment, training, business and economic development opportunities, and capacity building related to the project. Assess community resources and needs; take an inventory of potential opportunities, identify gaps and a plan to capture opportunities.
• Act as point of contact for community engagement and travel to communities for meetings with the RCC, government and/or industry representatives and/or community members as directed.

• Promote the values of the organization within the workplace and in the community by demonstrating positive and professional relationships with others (employees, citizens, council, volunteers, advocates, etc.)
• Report all unsafe conditions, hazards or practices, accidents and incidents in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and adheres to all Health and Safety requirements within the MNO’s policies and procedures and provincial legislation.
• Perform other job/branch-related duties as required. 

Qualifications:

• College Diploma (3 year)
• 1-3 years’ experience in natural resources, environmental sectors, policy analysis or Indigenous affairs
• Strong desire to act in the service of the Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture
• Knowledge of Métis and/or Aboriginal policy issues, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire knowledge of Métis specific matters including knowledge of the MNO’s mandate, governance structure and Métis history and culture will be a definite asset.
• A high degree of technology literacy and proficiency in standard office software, equipment
• Advanced communications skills, both written and verbal, including sensitive topics
• Superior organization skills and time/priority-management
• Highly detail-oriented
• Ability to problem-solve independently
• Analytical skills
• Ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests
• Ability to deliver presentations on technical information in plain language to large and small groups with ease
• Ability to be flexible and meet new challenges as they arise, in a demanding and dynamic environment
• Strong project coordination, including the design and implementation of project work-plans
• An understanding of regulatory processes, environmental issues and Indigenous issues or a demonstrated ability and willingness to learn about these and other processes and issues quickly
• Previous experience dealing with sensitive, confidential information
• Demonstrated ability in managing relationships with a variety of internal / external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality reports, briefing notes and presentations
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand knowledge and to be flexible when advising others in a demanding and dynamic environment