Director of Policing, Oversight and Accountability

Job Description: Director – Policing, Oversight and Accountability

Reporting: This position reports to the CEO

Location: Head Office in Westbank or any Indigenous Justice Centre

Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans

Salary: $120,000 to $150,000 annually - Salary will be commensurate with education and experience

Hours: Full-time (35hours / week); Mondays to Fridays, may require additional hours and overtime, depending on workload

Organization Summary: Empowered by the First Nations Leadership Council and in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) is responsible to 204 First Nations in BC. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and to support Nations as they move to sovereignty over justice.

The BCFNJC is rapidly growing, and we are seeking team members who understand the gravity of this responsibility and are excited by the opportunity. Indigenous people in BC deserve world-class legal services and programs. We are seeking to hire staff who share our vision and will not stop until we reach our goal. We take our mandate seriously but also strive for a balanced, caring work environment that is respectful and supportive.

Position Summary: The Director of Indigenous Policing, Oversight and Accountability is responsible for leading work specific to Indigenous policing under the Bundle F Steering Committee (strategies 22, 7, and 3). The Director will advance the needs of Indigenous peoples as they relate to policing and support Nations to establish their own policing/community safety systems, guided by the BC First Nations Justice Strategy .

The Provincial Director for Indigenous Policing, Oversight and Accountability reports to the CEO and will support the Indigenous Policing, Oversight and Accountability Steering Committee (Bundle F) and work with a specialized unit under Strategy 3 to provide legal assistance and support services to families and communities who have been harmed by police. This will involve the coordination and management of a diverse team.

Furthering the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, this role will liaise with provincial and federal groups reforming policing and will support the establishment of new models of structured relations between First Nations, the RCMP, and other police forces. This will include, but is not limited to, the development of protocols between the BCFNJC and police services and co-developing and implementing a new approach to Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs), as well as supporting First Nations who seek to build and expand community safety initiatives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of, and in collaboration with, the CEO and Indigenous Policing Steering Committee (Bundle F), the Director will implement Strategies 22, 7 and 3 of the BCFNJC Justice Strategy with the ultimate goal of decreasing Indigenous overrepresentation in the colonial justice system.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Policy and Policy Team to create and implement annual strategic plans.
• Prepare for and chair monthly steering committee meetings, including the development of briefings, key messages, presentations etc., as needed.
• Report monthly to the CEO and Director of Communications on Bundle F progress.
• Report quarterly, (more often if required) to the Justice Council on Bundle F progress.
• Support the development and recruitment of BCFNJC's Police Accountability Unit. The Director will also manage the Unit.
• Work collaboratively with all BCFNJC Directors and members of Council.
• Work with the COO and Finance Team to assist with budget allocation for Indigenous Policing.
• Provide professional advice and consultation to First Nations communities, First Nations organizations, the Indigenous Justice Secretariat, the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Indigenous service providers on issues pertaining to policing and community safety.
• Build and supervise a team of four or more staff, including staff responsible for civil litigation.
• Work with the Human Resources to assist with performance evaluations of staff.
• Liaise with Rights-Holders, and other relevant parties.
• Work with other provincial staff and the IJC staff on justice issues relating to policing.
• Stay informed on provincial and federal initiatives related policing as well as reforms happening in other jurisdictions.
• Work with Nations to establish proactive measures to protect Indigenous people in BC in interaction with the police.
• Assist the Steering Committee on policing to develop of a foundational piece of research and analysis regarding Strategy 22.
• Understand impacts of the colonial police on Indigenous lives and experience with the justice system, and assist Nations to establish new models of structured relations with the RCMP, and other police forces, that support new strategic and policy level, as well as community level, and cooperative change, while supporting greater community-level police forces.
• At the request of Council or the CEO, act as a media spokesperson on policing, community safety and other related issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned: this work is novel and requires a driven, passionate, creative, and careful person who recognizes this unique opportunity and will work hard to ensure the opportunity is not lost.

• Preference will be given to Indigenous candidates.
• A strong policy background or legal training. University education in public policy, law, criminology, corrections, or related field, or a combination of experience and other academic qualifications will also be considered. Preference may be given to a member of the Law Society of British Columbia in good standing but note that this position will not be practicing law.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in field of law, public policy or related fields.
• Experience with Indigenous legal issues, political bodies and legal traditions.
• Passion for transforming a legal system into a justice system for Indigenous people in BC.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Belief that legal systems should be client/person-centred, not lawyer-centred.
• Ability to synthesize complex social problems and propose creative solutions with input from Rights and Titleholders.
• Ability to bring an Indigenous view to reforming the justice system.
• Experience in developing collaborative service partnerships across ministries, authorities and with community stakeholders.
• Experience facilitating issues in a highly sensitive environment; setting priorities and making decisions between high profile and competing needs; working with a diverse constituency; leading and supervising staff/contracted service providers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. A writing sample may be requested as part of the interview process.
• Persuasive advocacy skills that are culturally appropriate depending on audience.
• Knowledge of MS Office programs including (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Accomplished at communicating and collaborating with remote teams.
• A valid BC Driver's License and the ability to travel throughout the province from time to time.