Senior Specialist, Hudson and James Bay Lowlands (HJBL)

Responsibilities

• Develop, facilitate and lead community engagement and working partnerships in the region.
• Create a framework built upon existing relationships of how WWF-Canada will continue to expand across the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands region.
• Maintain an overview of activities and priority issues in the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands, and seek opportunities for strategic collaboration where appropriate.
• Provide strategic guidance and advance priorities to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and strengthen and secure carbon stored in nature throughout this globally significant carbon sink.
• Collaborate with Indigenous communities in the region to ensure all WWF-Canada efforts are consistent with Indigenous priorities, knowledge, governance structures and rights.
• Build strategic partnerships with other organizations that could contribute to collaborative conservation initiatives, such as academic partners, environmental NGOs, and industry.
• Participate in the development of work plans, project budgets, and the annual budget, including identifying opportunities for program improvement.
• Assist WWF-Canada with tracking and reporting on progress in the region.
• Work with the internal Conservation team to clarify messaging about the priorities and activities of Indigenous groups and other partners in the region, and identify time-sensitive opportunities to amplify important positions and activities publicly with WWF-Canada’s Marketing and Communications Team.
• Take a science-based approach, guided by Indigenous knowledge and priorities, when working with community members and other external partners.
• Contribute expertise to conservation support activities such as fundraising.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant professional experience OR related post-secondary environmental education plus 4+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Knowledge of the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands.
• Strong knowledge of collaborative conservation approaches and the complexities of building and maintaining positive working relationships within a region over time.
• Proven skills in strategic partnership building and planning and a track record of achieving results-based measurable outcomes.
• Exceptionally strong facilitation skills.
• Ability to build respect, trust and partnerships with Indigenous peoples, businesses, other communities and external partners by understanding their priorities and role as key drivers behind achieving and benefiting from conservation outcomes.
• Project management experience with developing project objectives, managing the project budget, and delegating tasks.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, creative, and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with data sovereignty guidelines an asset.
• Indigenous language skills are an asset. In particular, Swampy Cree, Moose Cree, Anishinaabemowin/ Ojibwe or Michif.
• French language skills are an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of WWF-Canada’s mission and objectives to Regenerate Canada, and a demonstrated passionate commitment to its success in accomplishing them.
• Identify & align with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

Other Information

This role is based out of Thunder Bay, North Bay, or Sudbury, ON.

This role will require local and occasionally national safe travel.  Safe travel will be determined by following International, Federal, Territorial, and Provincial requirements and following consultation with local and Indigenous communities where applicable.

Deadline to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, please click Apply, and ensure that your application is received on or before March 24, 2023 at 5pm EST. 

Commitment to Diversity and Accessibility

Our vision is a Canada with abundant wildlife where nature and people thrive and we value and rely on diversity of thought, knowledge, expertise, and lived experience to help bring our vision to life. 

We recognize that experience comes in many forms and skills are transferable. If you feel that your unique experiences can enhance our vision, we encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements. 

We encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. 

We are committed to a barrier-free and equitable recruitment & selection process. If you are contacted in relation an opportunity to join our team and require an accommodation at any point in the process, please advise the recruiter of your specific needs. We commit to managing these requests in a confidential manner.