Director, Government Relations

Position Information

**Position Title**
- Director, Government Relations

**Department/Unit**
- Ocean Frontier Institute

**Research Project**
- Ocean Frontier Institute

**Location**
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

**Posting Number**
- GP47-25

**Employee Group**
- Grant-Paid

**Position Type**
- Term

**Duration of Contract (if applicable)**
- 1 year, with possibility of renewal

**Employment Type**
- Full Time

**Full-time Equivalency (FTE)**
- 1.0

**Salary**
- $77,938 - $104,545 per annum (35 hours per week)

**About the Organization**
- The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) oversees, on behalf of Dalhousie University, six large-scale programs with total funded value of over $500M:
i) Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Transforming Climate Action (TCA)
ii) Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier (SSDOF)
iii) Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography
iv) North Atlantic Carbon Observatory
v) Ocean School (in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada)
vi) Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, in addition to other smaller-scale research program grants

For more information about OFI, visit **ofi.ca**.

**Job Summary**
- Reporting to the Scientific Director & Chief Executive Officer, the Director, Government Relations will be expected to develop and implement a comprehensive government relations strategy and action plan to positively influence the ways in which governments locally, nationally, and internationally, can effect the mission of the Institute. The Director, Government Relations will work collaboratively with the Dalhousie Office of Global and Government Relations on institution-wide ocean GR initiatives.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Identify and foster opportunities around OFI and government shared priorities, develop strategies and provide advice that supports OFI’s mission and that fosters positive and productive relationships with government stakeholders.
- Stay apprised of trends in key sectors and key files related to OFI strategy (mostly related to fisheries and oceans, economic development, environment and climate change, science and technology, education, Indigenous affairs), and anticipate and address potential impact on OFI.
- Identify and mitigate issues that could negatively impact OFI’s relationships with government and ability to fulfil its mission.
- Working with Dalhousie’s Office of Global and Government Relations, represent OFI as host for guests including local, national, and international Ministers, senior government officials and dignitaries visiting OFI who have an interest in ocean research and policy, and optimize the opportunity presented by on-site visits to nurture and grow strategic relationships, highlight successes in the ocean space, and identify opportunities for new or enhanced collaborations.
- Advise the CEO on strategic engagement with all levels of government—locally, nationally, and internationally—working closely with OFI’s public relations/communications team ensuring that outreach, key messages, and communications align, support, and enhance relationships and/or advocacy initiatives.
- Develop and foster relationships that offer access to, and provide advance notice and support discussions on items of interest to OFI and provide insight into ways OFI can be impactful in areas of priority for government related to ocean research writ large.

**Note**
- Frequent national and international travel may be required. Also, occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet operational requirements.
- The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

**Required Qualifications**
- Master’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Canadian Studies, Economics, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of government relations’ experience coupled with a strong understanding of Federal government processes and institutions (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
- Understanding of the political system and ability to develop and implement strategies to influence policy.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted professional relationships that result in new or strengthened partnerships, additional resources, positive awareness, and public support.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with superior verbal and written capabilities to clearly relay information in a compelling way.
- Strong problem-solving and diplomacy skills as well as the ability to think and act strategically.
- Ability and willingness to take initiative, be self-motivated and proactive.
- Ability to work independently to meet deadlines.
- Ability to promote a culture of respect & inclusivity.

**Assets**
- Understanding of and familiarity with international structures such as International Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and Global O