Intergovernmental Affairs Major Projects Coordinator

About Musqueam

We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.ca

Position Summary

The Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Major Projects Coordinator is responsible for facilitating the development and oversight of IGA federal relations project files related to Musqueam’s inherent title and rights. This is conducted through initiating and supporting the negotiation of capacity funding and project agreements. Also, disseminating information to and engaging with relevant internal departments to ensure Musqueam strategic priorities and interests guide project work. This is a federal relations role acting as one of the main points of contact for federal parties. The IGA Projects Coordinator represents Musqueam at a senior level in areas involving consultation and accommodation, legislative and policy changes occurring at various federal of government, while also providing support in project and relationship agreement negotiations. They also act as an in-house subject matter expert on regulatory and legislative requirements for IGA projects. This includes managing deadlines, records, correspondence, and deliverables for IGA projects, consulting internally to ensure Musqueam strategic priorities and interests guide project work, and liaising and developing working relationships with outside agencies and proponents. The IGA Major Projects Coordinator also works as part of the broader Title and Rights division to provide support internally and externally on programs, initiatives or administrative matters in addition to taking on other duties as required.

Roles & Responsibilities

Lead on a variety of portfolios including IGA projects and external negotiations:

• Ensure Musqueam's strategic position is strengthened through nation-to-nation relationships, government to government discussions and engagement with proponents.
• Represent Musqueam in Environmental and Impact Assessment processes, including reviewing applications, liaising with regulators and proponents, understanding and communicating impacts to Musqueam title and rights and participating in Technical Advisory Committees.
• Assist with the formulation and implementation of negotiation strategies and agreements.
• Assisting the negotiators to identify the range of issues and formulate negotiations strategies through consultation with senior management and the negotiation team.
• Leading or participating in working groups with staff and/or political representatives concerning issues that will be negotiated by Musqueam ensuring that senior management and political representatives have all the required information to make a decision:
  • Document interests and expectations to inform negotiation.
• Document and advise on necessary requirements for achieving agreement through liaison with appropriate internal representatives and representatives from regulators and proponents.
• Assist with the development of a consolidated Musqueam position by obtaining appropriate senior and political participation and agreement:
  • Respond to community and third-party consultation issues
• Identify issues where agreement cannot be reached and must be referred to the principals.
• Advance Musqueam’s position as it relates to Musqueam’s title, rights, and interests by providing strategic advice and briefing of senior management and leadership on a range of issues, including briefing Chief and Council where necessary
• Identify project related impacts and issues or areas of interest to community and facilitate community engagement as needed and communicate this to regulators and proponents
• Assist in developing mitigation measures and conditions and in negotiating benefits that advance Musqueam’s interests including in reference to Environmental Assessments, Impact Assessments, permitting and other regulatory processes.
• Engage in conflict and issue resolution

Project Management

• Manage a high volume of complex project work through coordination of resources, development of project scopes and estimation of resource and staff requirements.
• Implement, track, and allocate budgets for each project or agreement.
• Ensure milestones and obligations are met in agreements.
• Set and manage stakeholder expectations as it relates to project work and deliverables.
• At the request of the Manager, or at own discretion, prepare and/or coordinate the preparation of:
  • Correspondence for management, senior management, the Title & Rights Committee, Community, and/or Chief and Council.
  • Briefing materials for the Manager, Chief and Council, Committees of Council, working groups, and senior management. This material may include researching issues and ensuring prepared responses are consistent with Musqueam Indian Band’s position, policy and direction.
• Create and maintain a detailed record of project activities and correspondence to ensure an adequate record for legal purposes is maintained
• Design and implement workplans internally and with government regulators and proponents
• Manage complex timelines, tight deadlines, and changing regulatory requirements
• Manage inter-departmental coordination to ensure the full scope of impacts to Musqueam rights and interests are addressed and included in regulatory processes including Environmental and Impact Assessments
• Maintain and manage internal project management tools to coordinate within the IGA department as well as inter-departmentally

Coordinate Musqueam-led studies

• With consolidation from the manager, identify and contract external consultants where necessary including leading negotiations with proponents to ensure there is budget for contracting work.
• Negotiate and develop scopes of work.
• Coordinate community engagement.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure that external consultants have all information/data required.
• Ensure deliverables meet Musqueam’s standards, priorities, positions and needs including reviewing and drafting Musqueam-led studies.
• Uphold confidentiality of Musqueam knowledge.
• Prepare and track invoices for consulting work.

Training and Supervision

• Train, supervise, and delegate tasks and responsibilities to IGA Project Analysts, Co-op students, or interns hired to complete projects on behalf of the department.
• Review and analyze incoming referrals, undertake strategic planning, and identify priorities.
• Identify key team members within Musqueam and ensure that all information is received and disseminated, and timelines are clearly indicated and met.
• With consolidation from the manager , develop and negotiate capacity funding agreements.
• Manage funding agreement related budgeting, financial tracking, and invoicing.
• Determine scheduling requirements internally and externally, collaboratively develop engagement objectives with government and proponents and set agendas.
• Integrate identified impacts and concerns into correspondence with proponents and regulators.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skill and knowledge usually attained by successful completion of a post-secondary degree in Political Science, First Nations Studies, or a related field. Equivalent knowledge or cultural learning may be considered.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• A working knowledge of federal and provincial environmental impact assessments processes for large projects (BC Environmental Assessment and Federal Impact Assessment) and relevant legislation.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous politics and law.
• An understanding of regulatory processes or experience with Environmental Assessments, Impact Assessments or permitting processes is preferred.
• Cultural competency and knowledge of Musqueam culture and interests or an ability to develop this.
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding project management methods and skills and the ability to lead projects.
• Exceptional communicator with excellent writing skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be discrete, use tact, and good judgment.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, be self-directed and complete tasks/project in accordance with stated deadlines.
• Criminal record check.

Working Conditions

• The work is performed in an office environment.
• Some evening work may be required.

Why work for Musqueam?

Our success as a leader as a First Nations Government is built on the traditional teachings of our people, initiative and dedication of the Musqueam Indian Band. Providing a highly engaged traditional government that is member focused.

• Competitive salary
• Training and career development
• Business casual environment
• Community fitness and gym access
• Comprehensive group benefits plan and pension plan
• Centrally located with free parking; free onsite gym and class access; close to nature trails at UBC and along the Fraser River, shops, restaurants and services.