Position Description
This is a half-time (O.6 FTE/3 day a week) position on a 2.5-year contract reporting to and supported by the Senior Program Manager of the Foundation. Based on success of the pilot fellowship program, the program and position may be renewed for an indefinite period. As well, the position has the potential to grow to full-time (assuming additional responsibilities).
The Northern Fellowship Coordinator will lead the design, refinement, promotion, implementation and management of program activities. This includes creating and managing the selection and stewardship of candidates, as well as envisioning and developing program details. It will support participants to undertake a major individual and major collective project. The Coordinator will organize 4 major gatherings over the 2-year period, at least two of which will take place in a northern community. The position will also put evaluation tools in place to inform the board’s eventual decision on the continuation of the program.
At the early stages in particular, the program will require substantial community-focused promotion. As such, the Coordinator will liaise with one or more contract communications specialists, and substantial travel in the north and elsewhere in Canada will be expected. The position requires ‘high-touch’ ongoing support to Fellows, fostering a collegial, trusting atmosphere. The Coordinator will be expected to network in a variety of settings and to help link fellows with mentors.
* This position is not necessarily based out of the Foundation’s offices in Toronto. It could be based in the community where the successful candidate resides, including in the north or in another Canadian city.
Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation
The Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation is an independent charitable foundation focused on strengthening public policy in Canada. For many years, the Foundation has focused much of its grant-making and related efforts on Canada’s far north: The Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the northern portions of Labrador and Quebec (Nunatsiavut and Nunavik). The Foundation supports research and education projects that enhance Northern peoples’ ability to participate in and help shape public policy at any level – local, regional, national or international. We are a small team of 6 staff, managing a roughly $3.5 million/year operating budget, led by a volunteer board of directors.
The Northern Fellowship Program
The objective of the program is to recognize emerging leaders interested in public policy from among a diverse range of talented, dedicated and motivated northern Canadians. The program aims to support northerners (mainly Indigenous northerners) in the early stages of their career who want to build on their skills and leadership. The fellowship, a 2-year program, includes components that are self-directed and others that are collective. The program will enable Fellows to better voice, articulate and share their research and ideas publicly, as well as create dialogue, to bring about a more healthy, self-reliant and sustainable north. The program is co-funded by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, a family foundation based in New York.
The Ideal Candidate
The eligible applicant will possess the following qualities:
• Be either a current or previous resident in the far north (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, or Nunavik).
• Have solid northern networks and/or a proven ability to build strong networks in northern and/or indigenous communities.
• Experience and proven ability working in leadership development either with an early career or adult student population or in “youth engagement”, broadly defined.
• Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, and with culturally-based and/or land-based learning.
• Have strong familiarity with policy issues and the public policy framework/process, particularly with regard to one or more northern jurisdictions.
• Basic knowledge of human resources and project management, including some financial management and program evaluation.
• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field, with ability to work in an inter-disciplinary setting (or the equivalent experience).
• Self-motivated and able to work largely independently.
• Experience working with selection processes and/or mentorship programs a definite asset.
• Willingness to serve (informally) as a mentor, motivator and support person for individual Fellows.
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong preference will be given to applicants identifying as Indigenous (Inuit, First Nations or Metis).
Salary
Salary is commensurate with both level of experience and location of where the Coordinator is to be based. The Foundation has a progressive benefits package. If the position is located outside of Toronto, additional office administration costs will be covered.
How to Apply
Please forward CV/resume with cover letter, by e-mail, to James Stauch, Acting CEO: james@gordonfn.org no later than Sept. 18, 2009.