CO-OP OPPORTUNITY: Modern Treaty and Self-Government Policy Directorate: Junior Policy Officer

Modern Treaty and Self-Government Policy Directorate
Junior Policy Officer

Winter 2024

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)’s mandate is to continue to renew the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, government-to-government relationship between Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis; modernize Government of Canada structures to enable Indigenous peoples to build capacity and support their visions of self-determination; and, lead the Government of Canada’s work in the North. These efforts include continuing to modernize our institutional structure and governance so that Indigenous peoples can build capacity that supports implementation of their vision of self-determination and well-being.

CIRNAC’s Implementation Sector provides whole-of-government leadership in the implementation of modern treaties, self-government and other constructive agreements. We advance and support intergovernmental relationships and we advise, collaborate and build capacity for meaningful engagement to support the full and fair implementation of the spirit and intent of agreements.

The Modern Treaty and Self-Government Policy Directorate (MTSGPD) within the Implementation Sector is responsible for leading and contributing to the development of policy reforms to support the implementation of modern treaties and self-government agreements and advance the Government of Canada’s ongoing relationship with Indigenous partners. The work undertaken by MTSGPD includes (inter alia): co-developing policies with Indigenous partners, engaging with other levels of government,; and, providing strategic advice and direction on the implementation of modern treaties and self-government agreements.

Application Deadline: October 20, 2023

Positions to be filled: TBD

Locations: Hybrid work arrangement with physical offices located in Gatineau QC, Toronto ON, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Winnipeg MB, and Halifax NS.

Position Type: Full-time

Work Term: commencing January 2024 (4 month term, with the possibility of extension). The projected term is from January 8, 2024 until April 26, 2024.

Salary: Based on Government of Canada rates for post-secondary students (dependent on amount of work terms completed and level of education).

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/pay/rates-pay/student-rates-pay.html

Hours: 37.5 hours/week

STATEMENT OF MERIT CRITERIA

KEY WORK ACTIVITIES

The successful candidate will perform the following duties for the MTSGPD:

• research and analysis of information pertaining to Indigenous groups in Canada;
• develop media scans and project tracking;
• draft of briefing notes, correspondences, presentations, and reports;
• coordinate of dockets and correspondences (as needed);
• manage information and filing electronic documents;
• deliver presentations to the team and to management;
• attend meetings with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including colleagues from CIRNAC and other government departments, as well as Indigenous partners;
• provide support on administrative and operational issues;
• other duties as required

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

 Education 

This position is open to students in and beyond their third year of undergraduate studies, in graduate studies, or in a law degree, in a field of study relevant to the position. This could include, but is not limited to: sociology/anthropology, history, communications, policy analysis, negotiation, conflict resolution, political science, social sciences, geography and environmental studies, public administration, law, Canadian studies, or an Indigenous studies program.

 Skills

• English or French Essential;
• Collaborative; strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Strong digital literacy and information management capacity;
• Solid analytical and research skills;
• Strong attention to detail and excellent sense of organization;
• Ability to manage work activities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure;
• Willingness to learn.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

(Asset qualifications are not essential to perform the work but – now or in the future – would benefit the organization or be an enhancement in terms of the work to be performed.)

• Knowledge of Indigenous issues;
• An understanding of Indigenous governance arrangements in Canada;
• Strong cultural competency;
• Previous federal public service employment experience;
• Bilingual fluency in English and French;
• Currently enrolled in a graduate studies program.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS 

The Public Service of Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employees’ population contributes to its strength and integrity. In support of achieving a diversified workforce, we encourage Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply. Therefore, preference may be given to candidates in the above mentioned categories.

In accordance with the Student Employment Programs Participants Regulations, preference will be accorded to candidates who are Canadian Citizens, within the meaning of the Citizenship Act or a permanent resident, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and will be appointed ahead of other persons who do not meet these requirements.

 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Security Clearance – Reliability Status

 NOTES 

This position will consist of a hybrid work arrangement with two to three days a week in office. Physical offices are located in Gatineau QC, Toronto ON, Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Winnipeg MB, and Halifax NS. Successful candidates must be able to go to one of these offices.

Students will be expected to comply with the return to the office directives for federal public servants which apply at the time they begin their contract. More information can be found here: Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace – Canada.ca

CIRNAC continues to closely follow public health guidelines from provincial/territorial and federal health authorities, including guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Public Service and Procurement Canada.

Successful candidates may be offered the option of extending their co-op term, subject to successful completion of the first co-op term and budgetary allowances. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in an 8-month work term.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, only candidates who are considered for the interview process will be contacted.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Candidates must provide a brief cover letter outlining how they meet the requirements of the position, as well as demonstrating an interest / lived experience working on issues that affect Indigenous groups in Canada.
• As a separate page of their cover letter, candidates must include this table. Candidates may choose to self-identify by filling in the response column with a “yes’ or “no” response.

 

Question	Response
Are you a Canadian Citizen?
Are you bilingual in English and French?
Are you an Indigenous person?
Do you identify as a woman?
Are you a person with disabilities?
Are you a member of a visible minority?
Undergraduate or graduate student?
Year of study?
Average grade (convert your GPA to a percentage)?
Which office are you able to work from? Select one: Gatineau, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, or Halifax.

 

• Candidates must provide a writing sample composed within the last year. The maximum length of the sample is two pages (you may submit the first two pages of a longer composition). Professional and academic writing samples will be accepted. Preferably the sample should focus on issues facing Indigenous peoples or Crown-Indigenous relations.
• Candidates must also provide a resume and transcript (preferably with a short description of courses taken that indicate knowledge of Indigenous issues) with their cover letter, if applicable.

Failure to include the aforementioned documents in your application package will result in your application being screened out of the competition.

DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Academic Transcripts
• Writing Sample
• Filled out Table (above)