Manager, First Nations Consultation

**JOIN US IN ENABLING TRADE THROUGH CANADA'S LARGEST PORT.**

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is an arm’s-length federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of the lands and waters that make up the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port. Our mandate, as outlined in the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives on behalf of all Canadians, ensuring the safe movement of goods through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment and considering local communities.

As an organization with a significant impact on communities and businesses across Canada, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. We strive to create a workplace that mirrors the richness of our community, empowering all employees to achieve their full potential.

The **m**anager, First Nations consultation** for the port authority is responsible for the development and delivery of consultation and engagement programs with First Nations on port authority programs, projects and activities. The role oversees the review and evaluation of consultation conducted by VFPA and third parties for the port authority’s Project and Environmental Review (PER) process. This position works collaboratively across project teams and departments to support alignment and continuous improvements and to ensure that Indigenous consultation on VFPA-led or reviewed infrastructure projects is delivered in a manner consistent with the port authority’s principles of Indigenous consultation and engagement and aligned with federal government guidelines.

**What you do**:

- Oversee the Indigenous consultation processes for projects proposed both by VFPA and its tenants through the port authority’s PER process to meet all applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver on customer responsiveness commitments by providing direction and guidance to PER process applicants on First Nations consultation process and requirements to ensure effective, respectful and efficient permitting processes
- Manage the review and evaluation of Indigenous consultation conducted by third parties when the port authority is the federal lead or when the procedural aspects of consultation have been delegated to tenants or port authority project applicants.
- Oversee the determination, in consultation with legal services, and others as appropriate, of the fulfilment of the duty to consult through Indigenous consultation processes for projects proposed by VFPA and its tenants through the port authority’s PER process
- Oversee the port authority’s approach and implementation of First Nations consultation, in coordination with other departments, for VFPA projects, programs and initiatives, such as infrastructure delivery, marine operations, environment and properties, planning and development
- Oversee Indigenous consultation requirements, including participation funding,
- archaeological assessment requirements, and alignment with changes to applicable legislation or regulations, and related matters.
- Act as liaison with federal and provincial governments and port community members regarding the port authority’s approach to project and development related First Nations consultation and engagement and alignment with federal governmental principles and guidelines.
- Provide strategic advice to departments across port authority to ensure consistency in approach across programs, projects and to align support for relationships with First Nations
- Oversee continuous process improvements in support of effective, well-coordinated consultation and engagement programs

**What you bring**:

- An appropriate university degree along with a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience developing Indigenous consultation programs or an acceptable combination of education and experience
- Extensive experience working directly with Indigenous communities in BC. Experience working with Indigenous groups throughout the Lower Mainland and on Southern Vancouver Island would be an asset
- Extensive experience with both federal and provincial environmental regulations and jurisdiction, and knowledge of legislation and case law applicable to Indigenous project consultation requirements
- Experience managing multiple programs, initiatives and/or projects concurrently
- Experience in procurement and management of the services of consultants/ contractors related to Indigenous programs, and experience facilitating Indigenous contracting and economic opportunities
- Experience managing a team, overseeing work schedules and operating a workstream budget

**What we offer**:

- Market-competitive base salaries and variable incentive plan
- Generous and inclusive benefits offering including retirement benefits plan
- Flexible remote work program
- Earned time off program
- Paid vacation and personal care leave
- Learning, development, and advancement opportunities
- Onsite gym with towel service in a national landmark in the heart of