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Indigenous Stewardship Funding Specialist

Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9

Employment Type: Permanent Industry: Indigenous Professional Job Number: 45988766 Pay Rate: $62000-72000 / year

Job Description

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Spirit Omega Inc in Partnership with Coast Funds is pleased to announce that we are seeking an Indigenous Stewardship Funding Specialist to join their team.
 
This position is intended for candidates who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis.  Candidates from these communities who wish to be considered must self identify.
 
Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization that supports First Nations to invest in sustainable economic development and ecological stewardship within their traditional territories.  Coast Funds was created in 2007, as an outcome of the Great Bear Rainforest agreements, to manage funds for First Nations’ stewardship and economic priorities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. Today, the organization manages conservation endowments and economic funds, which are allocated between participating First Nations. Coast Funds also provides financial administration services to First Nations and their partners.  To date, Coast Funds has delivered $120 million for over 450 Indigenous-led conservation, economic development, and sustainable energy projects. With these investments, First Nations are strengthening coastal communities, diversifying local economies, and stewarding lands, waters, and life.
The role supports the capacity of the Nations Coast Funds serves by ensuring the effective, high-trust administration of funding. Acting as a primary resource, this role provides guidance on funding availability and other opportunities while tracking project outcomes in line Coast Fund’s wellbeing methodology.
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Build and maintain relationships with First Nations by guiding eligible First Nations through the application process, assess project eligibility, and review applications.  
  • Coordinate due diligence from initial concepts to funding applications, including assisting with risk assessment and financial planning. Review program/project budgets and provide financial analysis.  
  • Coordinate documentation required for funding agreements and disbursements to ensure timely processing of disbursement requests. Ensure timely and accurate record-keeping for all funding applications and related correspondence in the CRM.
  • Support the Project Review Committee process. Prepare funding recommendations and project amendments for review/approval.  
  • Record, track, and analyze key indicators and data for reporting.  Track active projects, support First Nations in completing reports, and communicate progress and risks.  
  • Coordinate final reporting engagement, review project progress, and compile financial statements.  Support monitoring of project outcomes and communicate key learnings, including the annual update and evaluation of Coast Funds’ well-being outcomes.
  • Collaborate on knowledge exchange relating to stewardship funding and programming.  
  • Maintain knowledge on current trends in the Indigenous and environmental funding landscape and communicate regularly.  
  • Leverage insights to influence the design of future programs.
  • Collaborate/liaise with the Director, Economic Development/team, Director, Development, Communications Team and First Nations project coordination staff, as needed.
  • Assist in the development of briefing and de-briefing meetings & materials.
  • Maintain a robust data infrastructure platform.  
Qualifications:
  1. A postsecondary field related to conservation/biodiversity, Indigenous contexts, public or business administration, non-profit management, and/or an equivalent combination of the following training, experience, and competencies:  
  • 3-4 years related experience, preferably in grants or program management.
  • Strong understanding of database systems and data management processes. Experience with customer relationship management software such as Salesforce would be an asset.
  • Knowledge of First Nation history and culture.
  • Experience managing confidential client information and corporate file systems.
  • Strong business communication skills in both written and verbal form with an ability to write clearly and concisely. Strong word processing skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to maintain intersecting lines of accountability (to the Nations, and to Coast Funds).
  • Collaborate, teach, and mentor to achieve win-win outcomes.  
  • Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.  Adapt to an evolving work environment.
  • Balance multiple priorities to produce tangible results.  
  • Interpret data, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Bring creativity to outcomes analysis and internal processes while understanding that project funding activities are supported by well-established structures, frameworks, and procedures.
While not essential for the role, the following would bring significant additional value to the role:  
  • Lived or work experience and/or familiarity with the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii region, and experience working with coastal First Nations, Indigenous communities.   
  • Knowledge of land and/or marine use policies or affairs and Indigenous-led stewardship activities on the Pacific coast.
  • Project management skills, including planning, implementing, managing, evaluating projects, financial planning, budgeting, and identifying barriers.  
  • Understanding of First Nations' stewardship responsibilities and the need for sustainable finance and capacity building.  
  • Community engagement experience, particularly with Indigenous communities.  
  • Experience addressing equitable funding challenges and designing funding programs for community-led projects.
Working Conditions:  
  • This position is primarily based in the Vancouver office (3 days/week minimum), with semifrequent in-person meetings and workshops requiring short-notice attendance. A remote arrangement is possible for the right candidate.  
  • Regular in-office hours (Pacific Standard Time) for coordination and team meetings are expected.  
  • Intermittent compensated travel within the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii for meetings or project site visits is necessary, with semi-frequent short trips (one/two nights) to Vancouver Island and up to eight overnight trips annually.  
**We thank all applicants for applying, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted directly**
 
Spirit Omega is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from anyone, including members of Indigenous peoples, Women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.
 
Looking for more opportunities? Check out our website at jobs.spiritomega.com
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