Indigenous Connections Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about building respectful, meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and advancing culturally grounded approaches within government? Indigenous Partnerships and Strategic Services (IPaSS) is seeking an Indigenous Connections Advisor to play a key role in strengthening collaboration between Children and Family Services and Indigenous leadership across Alberta.

Reporting to the Manager of Indigenous Connections and Culture, this role serves as a trusted advisor and connector, providing strategic insight, guidance, and coordination to support ministry policies, programs, and engagement approaches. Working in a politically sensitive and relationship-driven environment, the Indigenous Connections Advisor helps shape community-led, culturally informed initiatives that improve outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, and families while supporting reconciliation and long-term partnership building.

Some of the key responsibilities include:

1.    Build and sustain strategic relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and partners across Alberta, including urban settings, to support trust-based, culturally grounded collaboration.
2.    Serve as a key connector and advisor across CFS, Government of Alberta ministries, and external stakeholders by maintaining strong internal and external networks and reporting insights, risks, and opportunities to
        senior leadership.
3.    Ensure early and meaningful Indigenous engagement in ministry initiatives, policy development, and program design by advising on appropriate engagement approaches and coordinating community-led solutions.
4.    Provide strategic advice, analysis, and recommendations to senior management and executives by accurately conveying Indigenous perspectives, priorities, and worldviews to inform decisions and policy direction.
5.    Lead research and issue analysis on Indigenous matters, monitoring emerging trends, political dynamics, and jurisdictional considerations, and translating insights into actionable guidance for ministry partners.
6.    Support and coordinate provincial initiatives and working groups, including grant-funded projects, by providing oversight, monitoring deliverables, and contributing expertise to cross-ministry and community-based
       initiatives.

Please click on this LINK to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

•    Creative Problem Solving: Applies a collaborative and analytical approach to addressing complex issues by seeking root causes and integrating diverse perspectives. Improves systems by identifying practical,
      innovative solutions and leveraging resources across teams, communities, and partners. Engages others in constructive dialogue, encourages idea generation, and balances creativity with risk awareness to achieve
      sustainable outcomes.
•    Drive for Results: Takes accountability for delivering outcomes by monitoring performance, adjusting approaches, and using available resources to ensure results are achieved. Demonstrates ownership of both direct
     and indirect impacts of work, remains focused on outcomes that serve the best interests of Albertans, and consistently delivers results aligned with APS priorities and direction.
•    Build Collaborative Environment: Builds strong, trust-based relationships across the ministry, Indigenous communities, and partner organizations to advance shared outcomes. Encourages open communication and
     inclusive dialogue, removes barriers to collaboration, and proactively anticipates and addresses potential conflict. Fosters commitment by recognizing contributions, valuing diverse perspectives, and promoting collective
     ownership of goals and results.
•    Agility: Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness in dynamic environments by identifying alternative approaches, anticipating obstacles, and taking decisive action in uncertain situations. Proactively communicates the
     impact of changes, mitigates the emotional and operational effects on others, and develops contingency plans to ensure goals are achieved.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (i.e. Social Work, Business, Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, etc.) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of: one year of experience for one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

Assets:
•    Deep knowledge of Indigenous history, worldviews, and governance, including the historical and contemporary impacts of colonization, cultural protocols, and diverse community structures across Alberta.
•    Extensive experience engaging with Indigenous communities and partners, with the ability to build trust, navigate complex relationships, and participate respectfully in meetings, ceremonies, and community gatherings
     (including travel and non-standard hours).
•    Strong political acuity and cross-government awareness, enabling effective navigation of evolving priorities, competing interests, and jurisdictional complexities within Indigenous and government environments.
•    Exceptional research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, assess diverse perspectives, and provide clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations to
     senior leadership.
•    Demonstrated ability to manage complex, sensitive issues, build consensus among stakeholders with divergent timelines and interests, and develop feasible policy and program options aligned with ministry priorities.
•    Excellent communication and relationship-management skills, including the ability to brief executives, collaborate across ministries, work with Corporate Finance on agreements, and support partnerships with First
     Nations, Métis organizations, and external governments and agencies.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

This competition is for 1 permanent full time position available.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

Hours of Work: This position works Monday to Friday, 36.25-hours a week.

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Travel Requirement: This role requires atleast 25% travel across the province. Therefore, if shortlisted a valid driver’s license would be required.

The final candidate for this position will undergo appropriate pre-employment checks and provide a suitable security screening. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Application Requirements: 
•    There would be a written assessment as part of the hiring process. Please ensure to provide your current email address in your resume.
•    A cover letter outlining your experience and assets that aligns with this position is required.
•    In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also indicate indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time.
•    A driver’s license is a requirement of this position.
•    Complete all pre-screening questions.
•    Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.