003 - Council Governance Specialist

Closing date: August 6, 2024

Hybrid position

MNO’s culture is at our core

The MNO workplace culture is full of potential ready to be unlocked. As our Self-Governance agreement materializes, we are building a workplace culture of action, responsibility, and most importantly a desire to serve the Métis community. When defining what MNO culture is, it’s difficult, because of our diverse leadership styles, and the different programs and services offered. What that really means is there is a place for almost everyone under the MNO employer umbrella. We recognize people are different, and that is our source of strength. We bring opinions together, welcome healthy conflict, and look to always find answers, not problems.

Click here to learn about the Métis Nation of Ontario, and help you decide if we are the right fit for you

• Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits and pension plan 
  
• Generous vacation allotment starting at 15 day's for regular employees and 20 day's for management 
• Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December 
• 16 paid public and employer holidays
• 15 paid health & wellness days 
• Challenging, multi-disciplinary work environment that fosters learning and professional development 
  
• Substantial educational incentive to promote personal and professional growth 
• An opportunity to make a direct or indirect impact on the lives of the Métis Peoples across the Province
  
• Other perks
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Telemedicine plan
• Health care spending account
• Goodlife corporate membership discount
• Bell Mobility's exclusive partner program
• Staple's corporate discount
• Dell member purchase program
• Mark's corporate discount 

About the role

The role of the Community Relations (CR) team of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is to support MNO’s 30 Chartered Community Councils and three Advisory Councils and their volunteers to function, achieve their purpose and goals, and to serve the citizens they represent. CR supports councils with all governance matters; funding applications and reporting; issues management; conflict resolution; and addressing citizen concerns. Increasingly CR will be providing new tools and support to councils to better communicate with the citizens they represent.

As part of the CR team, the Council Governance Specialist (CGS) will undertake CR projects and promote citizen engagement and involvement within established priorities and goals. The CGS engages with elected MNO leadership on a regular basis to identify opportunities to advance council and MNO priorities and provides support to the MNO Community and Advisory Councils regarding governance, conflict and ethics matters.

The CGS reports to the Manager of Community Relations, reporting to Director of Self-Government Strategy. 

What you will be doing

• As the CGS, your responsibilities will focus on community empowerment through providing training, mediation, and problem-solving support to MNO councils.
• Community Relations work includes developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships between community and advisory councils, staff, citizens, and the MNO Secretariat.  This role facilitates opportunities and encourages community members to engage in positive community relationships.  Participates with working groups supporting special projects and ensures coordination of related activities.
• You may deal with a wide range of situations and should feel comfortable working through conflict, following governing documents and processes and directing others.
• With complaints or conflict resolution, your duties require you to investigate and gather all relevant information about the claims.  In any situation, your goal is to tactfully negotiate and reach a resolution that satisfies both parties.
• Mandatory requirements include active listening, problem-solving, negotiation, compromise, and remaining calm and composed under pressure.  Will take the lead in developing and supporting policies and procedures regarding accountability and transparency in the MNO’s complaint processes and investigations involving councils and elected leadership.
• Deal with complex political, governance, confidential, and sensitive issues in a timely manner, with tact, discretion, maturity and judgement
• Work with Manager of CR on complex conflicts and initiatives and provide recommendations on solution and resolutions to issues
• Support other members of the CR team with council centric projects like elections, annual general meetings, training and town halls
• Oversee and coordinate the development of policies and procedures.
• Build strong relationships with the community, other MNO employees and branches, the PCMNO and other elected officials
• Act as a strong advocate and representative for the MNO in key events and meetings
• Leads and facilitates individual plans for councils at risk of quorum or in conflict, and requiring additional supports (e.g., governance training, conflict resolution).
• Maintain strict confidentiality. 
• Leads council matters, including but not limited to, complaints and disputes between council members and provides mediation, referral services, and crisis intervention to same as needed/by request (e.g., cultural, mental health).
• Supports councils exhibiting anti-social, disruptive, and inappropriate behaviours in violation of policies or legislation and consults with people leader, as required.
• Monitors to ensure citizens follow through on agreed activities and mediated agreements to maintain council.  Provides summary reports to management.
• Develop and update processes for and conducting impartial and unbiased investigations into complex complaints and misconduct of elected officials.
• Reviews, investigates, analyzes and drafts investigation reports or briefing notes dealing with various individual and systemic issues, and ensures investigations are conducted in a fair and thorough manner.
• Leads, reviews, investigates, analyses and resolves complex and serious complaints involving the conduct and/or services of council members, including but not limited to, allegations of financial mismanagement, harassment, discrimination and violence in contravention and/or violation of the MNO’s Code of Conduct, and/or MNO policies and related legislation, in a timely, thorough, impartial, and fair manner in accordance with investigation regulations, rules, policies and best practice.
• Drafts preliminary investigation plans, determining the mandate, scope and methodology and techniques required to carry out a thorough, fair and timely investigation.
• Coordinates and conducts interviews to gather evidence throughout the investigative process.
• Identifies potential investigative barriers and recommends effective solutions and strategies.
• Writes detailed, high quality investigation reports which include a clear review of the facts and evidence of the case, an objective and well-reasoned assessment of the evidence and credibility analysis of the parties, factual findings and detailed analysis of applicable MNO policies and legislation.
• Engages with MNO Legal for interpretation and investigative supports as may deemed necessary and as per existing processes.
• If required, testifies and gives evidence regarding investigations in legal procedures, including legal investigations, at hearings, criminal and/or civil litigation.
• Provides leadership, guidance, support, and expertise for community engagement and foster community capacity building.
• Assists councils with interpretation of policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Will be engaged to support to resolve persistent finance issues. Supports to investigate infractions and engages MNO Chief Financial Officer or PCMNO Secretary Treasurer, and may make recommendations for legal action.
• Will work on development of conflict policies and ensure enhanced oversight, accountability and transparency in the MNO’s complaint processes for elected officials.
• Reviews complaints, supports and makes referrals to the future office of the MNO’s Integrity commission. 
• Represents the MNO with reporting as may be needed for formal investigations, hearings or court.
• Works with the PCMNO Executive and MNO Legal for council related issues and legal matters.
• Works on project teams regarding planning and implementation of council training.  Provides advice and recommendations related to community council considerations.
• Leads/facilitates community engagement strategies to obtain feedback on policy and/or governance changes and updates.
• Facilitates and coordinates activities/initiatives to support the branch and MNO’s strategic plans.
• Develop and implement strategies to educate and encourage community and individual behavioural changes to promote and improve healthy community council functioning.
• Participate and represent the Community Relations team to respond to inquiries, develop cooperative relationships, advocate for Metis inclusion in community groups or agencies.
• Reports deficiencies to people leader and Chief Strategy Officer as reported by councils.
• Lead role with council discussions and negotiations on council boundary changes and issues.  Working with MNO Registry and GIS mapping specialist.
• Assisting councils with drafting motions for boundary changes, crafting Briefing Notes for the PCMNO to register changes, following up with Community Relations team members to ensure governing documents are updated properly, review with councils and ensure updated documents are posted on the MNO’s website and saved in the appropriate secure U Drive folder.
• Participate with strategic planning and attending meetings as required.
• Must have a commitment to enhancing public confidence and trust in the MNO Secretariat.
• Will have a p-card for travel expenses and to purchase support provisions for emergency situations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Must have a commitment to enhancing confidence and trust of the branch and MNO Secretariat.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mediation, Indigenous Studies, Business, Justice, Masters preferred and 5 years of experience in a related role working with indigenous governments in an advisory capacity. A combination of Completion of Post-Secondary Education and Experience may be considered in lieu of above.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality evidence and data-based reports and professional presentations
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand knowledge and to be flexible in a demanding and dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands and assess changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to assess situations and problem-solve independently
• Demonstrated ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a senior management audience
• Demonstrated ability in policy and procedures development and evaluation
• Strong investigative, research and analytical skills
• Advanced communications skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to travel for extended periods of time is required
• This role will require frequent evenings and some weekends
• Bilingualism with French or Michif as asset but not mandatory