Public Policy and Administration Advisor

**Position Overview**

This position reports to the Director of Strategic Opportunities. The Public Policy and Administration Advisor supports the advancement of FMB's work by recommending governance principles and systems for organizations that are engaging with FMB’s First Nations clients. Examples of such organizations range from Indigenous institutions, government regulators and newly established First Nations shared service delivery organizations.

Duties include monitoring and engaging with organizations that are improving or increasing their engagement and understanding of First Nations; supporting FMB Senior Leadership on activities related to the governance of third-party organizations; recommending governance approaches for various activities, identifying, and implementing outreach opportunities; and preparing briefing materials.

The Public Policy and Administration Advisor should have a passion for making a difference in the lives of Indigenous people, and for high quality, culturally appropriate standards to prepare third party organizations to be suitable partners for First Nation governments and organizations.

**Accountabilities**
- Liaises with partners in public policy and administration on areas of mutual interest;
- Advises on the impact of any FMB policy changes to the levels of transparency and accountability First Nations provide their members;
- Assists in developing governance models for projects such as our regulatory role for AFNWA or similar projects;
- Promotes good governance practices within First Nations through research;
- Provides leadership and advice to the project about finding ways to include indigenous communities more in operations and practices;
- Creates Indigenous governance and consultation plans that support the project, project team, and all communities affected;
- Advises third party organizations on principles of Indigenous governance and on the impact of FMB and the FMA Framework on supporting good financial and administrative decision making in First Nations;
- Assists in developing governance models for projects such as our regulatory role or projects;
- Conducts resources on how FMB’s resources can help promote good administrative governance practices within First Nations;
- Supports advocacy strategy, identifying opportunities for FMB input and submission including to administration, public policy, and other inquiries;
- May support obtaining data sources, analysis, published reports and data bases to support First Nations Chiefs and Councils in aiding decision making;
- Monitors and reports on existing data research that could impact FMB’s operating environment;
- Contributes to the policy analysis on measurable factors, uses, and weightings, to create new funding transfer agreements between Canada and First Nations;
- Researches and maintains awareness of Indigenous issues that could affect FMB, and develops solutions for these issues;
- Supports the creation of a clear, long-term vision for ongoing engagement with Indigenous peoples, organizations, communities, and governments;
- Plans, develops, organizes, writes, and edits written content relevant to project priorities;
- Identifies and establishes strategic relationships that publicly align government and other key stakeholders on Indigenous relations;
- Maintains external leads and contacts ensuring adequate communication with the contacts on a regular basis, to proactively leverage areas of alignment to promote and enhance Indigenous relations best practices;
- Builds relationships and engage with First Nations leaders on improving models of financial administration;
- Provides insight into development of FMB’s corporate Indigenous relations strategy through engagement with other business lines;
- Identifies areas of consistent support and areas of focus or priority of effort;
- Ensures common understanding of current issues, activities, and key messages.

The Public Policy and Administration Advisor performs other special projects and duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**
- University Degree in Indigenous Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or relevant field; graduate degree;
- Five (5) years of relevant Indigenous Governance experience;
- Experience working with First Nations including day to day operational experience with First Nations and government officials;
- Legal knowledge on Indigenous governments an asset;
- Advanced knowledge of processes, principles, theories and practices of politics and Indigenous Governance administration;
- Excellent understanding of Indigenous relations, political processes, and political sensitivities,
- Demonstrated track record of positive relationships with local First Nation communities and Indigenous organizations;
- Extensive experience in research methods;
- Strong understanding of the value of First Nation information and Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) standards;
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