Senior Policy Analyst - Analyste principal en politiques publiques

Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages • Ottawa, ON

6d • CA$83,862 - CA$97,051 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (OCIL) is dedicated to promoting and championing Indigenous languages by supporting the efforts of Indigenous Peoples across Canada to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages. The national team is passionate about their work and the difference they make with research, resources, and innovation developed collaboratively with partners and shared with Indigenous communities. The office has policies in place to ensure a welcoming, safe, and respectful workplace, as well as rigorous standards for transparency and accountability. The vision is for all Indigenous languages in Canada to be safe, vibrant, and thriving. There is an urgent need for concerted efforts and investments toward the revitalization of Indigenous languages to arrest and reverse the erosion that has already occurred, as research shows no Indigenous language in Canada is safe and all are in varying stages of endangerment. Indigenous languages are fundamental to the identities, cultures, spirituality, relationships to the land, worldviews, and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous languages have and continue to contribute to the strength of Canada as a whole, including biodiversity and the richness of linguistic and cultural heritage. The Commission is committed to protecting the vitality of all Indigenous languages, including sign languages and sleeping languages. The office welcomes interest from qualified candidates as they expand their national team to launch new, exciting projects and to meet growing organizational needs.

Reporting to the Manager of the Connection Hub, the Senior Policy Analyst leads the development and implementation of policy strategies which advance the mandate of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Language. The role focuses on developing, analyzing, and refining policy approaches that support Indigenous language revitalization across Canada, grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews. The position plays a key role in bridging community engagement with policy by building and sustaining reciprocal, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, partners, and stakeholders/rightsholders. It ensures that community perspectives, priorities, and knowledges are meaningfully reflected in policy development, engagement frameworks, and knowledge translation.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, Indigenous studies, social sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience (3-5+ years) in policy development, analysis, and advisory roles, preferably within Indigenous, cultural, or language revitalization contexts.
• Experience working with or alongside Indigenous communities, organizations, or governments, with a demonstrated understanding of distinctions-based approaches.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous language revitalization, cultural preservation, and the broader policy landscape in Canada, including the Indigenous Languages Act and the TRC Calls to Action.
• Knowledge of Indigenous governance, rights, and culturally-grounded community engagement practices.
• Familiarity with federal, provincial/territorial, and Indigenous policy environments and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and provide strategic policy advice on complex and sensitive issues.
• Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize diverse sources of information into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefings, reports, and materials for senior leadership.
• Strong project management skills, with experience leading initiatives from design through implementation.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex, fast-paced environments.
• High degree of cultural competency, humility, and respect when working with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, while also operating independently and taking initiative.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in an Indigenous language
• Bilingualism (English/French)

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Manager, lead the development of strategic, policy-based approaches that reflect community priorities and are grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems.
• Provide strategic policy advice and recommendations to senior leadership on complex and emerging issues, supporting informed decision-making.
• Prepare high-quality briefing materials, speaking notes, and issue analyses.
• Lead the design, management, and implementation of projects that advance departmental and organizational priorities.
• Integrate and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, including community input, research findings, and jurisdictional scans, to develop clear, evidence-based policy options and recommendations.
• Build and maintain respectful, trust-based relationships with Indigenous rights holders, partners, and stakeholders to support meaningful engagement and collaboration.
• Collaborate across internal teams to ensure coordinated policy development, aligned engagement approaches, and consistent communication outputs.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, policy, and thematic developments to identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends, and provide timely, sound policy advice.
• Translate complex policy, research, and community knowledge into clear, accessible, and actionable outputs for diverse audiences.
• Represent the Commission at key engagements and forums, strengthening relationships with external partners and promoting mutual learning.
• Support the development of tools, frameworks, and approaches to assess the effectiveness and impact of policy initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Pension plan
• Three weeks paid holidays to begin
• Additional paid days off through the year, including federal and provincial holidays
• Opportunities for career development
• Mentorship
• Professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior