Indigenous Assessment Associate

Job Responsibility: Location Toronto/Ignace Employment Category Regular Full-Time Department Regulatory Approvals Job Reference 10392 Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada's intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON)-Ignace area as the site for our Deep Geological Repository for used nuclear fuel. This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, ON, and the DGR will be situated in the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area. Infrastructure planning and development is underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well-served and supported now and in the future. Indigenous Assessment Associate Fulltime - One (1) Positions Available Position Location: Toronto Head Office - 22 St. Clair Avenue East OR Ignace, Ontario - 304 Main Street Job Summary: Implement and maintain assigned Indigenous community involvement in the regulatory decision-making process, build effective relationships, and lead dialogue with Indigenous peoples and organizations. Establish, promote and sustain effective working relationships with all levels throughout NWMO related to Indigenous involvement in the regulatory decision-making process. Provide advice and support to the Manager in the development and success of Indigenous participation in the regulatory decision-making process and be accountable for on-going relationships and the development and success of the Indigenous participation.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the development and maintenance of a relationship in the assigned Indigenous communities to support the achieve of regulatory decision-making including:
• the identification and design of participatory workshops or events,
• the development of strategies and plans,
• the establishment of effective relationships with assigned Indigenous community liaisons
• the measurement of the effectiveness of the participation to date and the identification of opportunities for improvement.
• Identify trends and provide insight on the Indigenous community's involvement in the planned activities. Provide recommendations to the Manager for engagement products and services supporting the ongoing improvement of the participation program.
• Provide advice and support to the Manager in the development and success of the sovereign Indigenous assessment process undertaken by the Indigenous community from both a cost effectiveness and business development perspective. Be accountable for on-going relationships and the development and success of the sovereign Indigenous assessment process including support from with groups internal to the NWMO.
• Maintain an ongoing awareness of community relationship issues, impacts and potential needs.
• Identify and analyze issues arising from Indigenous community involvement in the regulatory decision-making process and the sovereign Indigenous assessment process. Anticipate and assess issues that have the potential to be significant. Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Manager based on sound judgment in regard to such matters.
• Implement approved effective community relations and internal communications programs regarding assigned programs, to address issues and impacts, and to promote and maintain support for NWMO's goals and objectives.
• Establish and sustain sound and broad-based working relationships with key internal stakeholders at all levels in order to identify and integrate Indigenous participation with the NWMO's overall work programs, including the receipt of Traditional Knowledge.
• Participate in workshops or other events undertaken in support of the regulatory decision-making process or the sovereign Indigenous assessment process on behalf of NWMO and monitor their effectiveness. Keep informed of current developments in participation techniques and their application to the corporation's business. Be knowledgeable of developments and external approaches to participation activities, research concepts and methodologies, consulting skills and information management.
• Participate in supporting any Crown led consultation activities associated with the assigned Indigenous communities to extent requested by the Crown.
• Be responsible for populating appropriate internal databases with information pertaining to participation events. Be aware of and monitor relevant external data sources pertaining to the ongoing understanding of other issues that may be of concern to or influencing the Indigenous community.
• Contribute to the access to Traditional Knowledge by establishing and ensuring any protocols respecting that Knowledge are known and embedded in the procedures that govern the NWMO.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• 4 year university education in Indigenous studies, environmental studies, public policy development/administration, and/or sociology or by having the equivalent education.
• Over 6 years and up to and including 8 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.
• Knowledge of community development, public engagement and public policy and understanding of Indigenous organizational structure and culture in Canada and Indigenous consultation.
• Public engagement and Indigenous relations experience on projects involving multiple interests.
• Have proven organizational skills, be a self-starter who can work independently and in a team environment that is dedicated to excellence.
• Demonstrated background in working with the general public and Indigenous people in a variety of settings with increasing level of complexity in relationships.
• Have demonstrated financial and project management skills in planning and executing project activities.
• Have an ability to be flexible, and meet new challenges as arise, in a demanding and dynamic environment.
• Preference will be given to applicants with an understanding of Indigenous communities and culture in Ontario.
• This position will require frequent travel.

Other Information

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements. Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Office Location - 22 St. Clair Avenue East until their role is required to relocate. NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home. We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and a defined benefit pension plan. The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities.