Youth Engagement Lead

NNAPF•Delaware Nation, ON

2d•CA$69,000 - CA$83,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Lead will work with the Ways of the Heart Youth Council’s (WHYC) organization partners on various youth-related initiatives and will play a strategic role in shaping and advancing policies that support youth initiatives, ensuring alignment with the goals of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and First Peoples Wellness Circle. You will support collaboration and will lead the coordination of the youth council initiatives. You will demonstrate leadership, learning and development abilities along with a number of core competencies during your tenure. You will have opportunities to represent the voices of Indigenous youth at national and international events. You will apply all your experience, skills, talents, and passion for the benefit of others while learning from the expertise of your wellness focused team. You will enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing that your work is much more than just a job.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree or college degree in public policy, social sciences, health, or related discipline and two (2) years demonstrated experience in policy analysis, research, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
Diplomacy, tact and understanding of others’ priorities to achieve common goals.
Strong interpersonal communication skills including relationship and partnership building, clear and concise information provision, customer service, and managing inquiries and complaints.
The ability to effectively maintain confidentiality and privacy of people supported through appropriate communication and record keeping.
Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and manage emerging issues and risks in relation to service delivery and stakeholder coordination.
The ability to function autonomously and be flexible and adaptable to change.
A high degree of professionalism and flexibility displayed in all aspects of service delivery.
An ability to attend work locations not accessible by public transportation.
Adherence to a strict confidentiality policy, signing an Oath of Confidentiality and observing the Code of Ethics Policy.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in a First Nations language (which is considered a definite asset).
Knowledge of First Nations traditions and customs including natural healing (which is considered a definite asset).

Responsibilities

Develop a youth engagement plan that links to Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and First Peoples Wellness Circle’s overall strategy and objectives for the WHYC (e.g., in consultation with the WHYC, develop youth engagement plans to ensure full regional representation on the council).
Identify opportunities for research and policy advocacy that address youth-specific challenges, ensuring that Indigenous Knowledge and youth voices shape relevant frameworks.
Maintain an awareness of organization resource capacity and use this information to support engagement of youth-focused partners, distinguishing between possibilities and limitations.
Engage with WHYC members to support the council’s work and the development of project workplans.
Maintain communication between the WHYC, Thunderbird, and First Peoples Wellness Circle, as well as external partners and other interested parties.
Coordinate capacity and knowledge building of WHYC members vis-à-vis the council’s project partners and stakeholders, ensuring effective communications.
Engage WHYC members at the most direct level and ensure that level is appropriate for its intended purpose.
Work to gain a strong understanding of Indigenous youth issues, interests, aspirations, and concerns to better define what matters most and ensure mutual benefits of WHYC members, Indigenous youth, and the sister organizations.
Incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into program design, and ensure youth council initiatives are culturally responsive, meeting traditional values and contemporary challenges Indigenous youth encounter.
Work to ensure the youth council is raising awareness and understanding of substance use issues and addictions including approaches to mental wellness and healing based on Indigenous Knowledge.
Develop effective relationships and collaborative working styles with stakeholders, partners, and First Nations communities to support and address substance use issues and addictions.
Actively participate in the creation, revision, and assessment of policies that align with the mission of the organization and address the unique needs of Indigenous youth.
Monitor and evaluate project outcomes against organizational policies, providing recommendations for improvement where necessary.
Prepare written reports, articles, briefs and other documentation on progress of stakeholder engagement processes and progress.
Provide verbal and written reports on stakeholder relations including progress, issues, problem solving initiatives and recommendations.