At the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), we believe that sustainable forests are critical to our collective future. SFI is a sustainability leader through our work in standards, conservation, community, and education. As an independent, non-profit organization, we collaborate with our diverse network to provide solutions to local and global sustainability challenges. SFI works with the forest sector, brand owners, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, governments, and universities. SFI is governed by an independent three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social, and economic sectors equally.

SFI has a proud history of forest-focused collaboration with Indigenous Peoples. We recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and believe our shared quality of life improves when forests are sustainably managed for current and future generations. We take a flexible, respectful approach to relationship building, that helps us to effectively address the issues that matter most to each of our community partners. Every day, we strive to co-create meaningful change, while also listening, learning, and growing as an organization to become the best possible partner we can be. Supporting opportunities for Indigenous youth is an important part of this work.

The Director, Indigenous Relations will lead and elevate all aspects of SFI’s Indigenous Relations program and grow meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the U.S. While the focus of this position is in Canada, the Director will be required to provide support to SFI’s North American and international work as required. The position will also support the successful delivery of PLT Canada’s work experience, wage-matching, and youth-focused programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Manage the full range of SFI’s Indigenous Relations program and provide insight on opportunities to grow SFI’s relationships with Indigenous Peoples through forest-focused programs and collaborations.
2. Manage SFI staff and contractors, including a network of SFI Indigenous Relations Advisors, who support collaboration and relationship building with Indigenous Peoples at the local and regional
3. Lead the meaningful integration of Indigenous perspectives, relevancy and accessibility considerations into the SFI Workplan, with the aim of further increasing Indigenous inclusion, participation, and representation.
4. Help strengthen SFI Certificate Holders’ relationships with Indigenous Peoples by providing individualized supports, training, resources, employer education and program connections across pillars, based on each organization's unique needs and priorities.
5. Promote the growth of SFI Forest Management Certification and the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples and Families among Indigenous-owned forest sector businesses.
6. Support SFI Community & Conservation Grants that are of high relevance to Indigenous peoples, including those being led by Indigenous communities.
7. Support the successful delivery of PLT Canada’s career pathways and environmental education programs, including the Green Jobs and Mentorship Programs.
8. Develop and deliver professional development programs, training, and training materials that enable all SFI staff and contractors to more fully and meaningfully support progressive Indigenous Relations within their work.
9. Guide the respectful, culturally informed integration of Indigenous perspectives, interests, and traditional knowledge into SFI’s policies, programs, and educational resources.
10. Represent SFI at events that interface with Indigenous issues and/or relationship building in forest sector through attendance, exhibiting, and presentations
11. Actively support Strategic Direction and Annual Workplan implementation across teams and pillars throughout the organization.
12. Support the SFI team in the delivery of other objectives, as needed.
13. Be creative! If you can think of ways to meaningfully further grow our relationships with Indigenous Peoples, bring them to the table.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will supervise and support 1-2 direct reports and manage various consultant relationships to fulfill essential job functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical requirements include the ability to work from a desk at a computer for prolonged periods of time.

This position requires occasional travel to the US and Canada, up to 25% of time.

QUALIFICATIONS/PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Extensive experience building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations across Canada and/or the US, including those within the field of sustainable forest management;
• Working knowledge of Indigenous issues, perspectives, and knowledge systems, as they relate to sustainable forest management and forest-focused relationship building;
• Ability to prioritize effectively and manage multiple complex projects in a dynamic fast-paced environment, handling tasks with diplomacy, tenacity, patience and a drive for results;
• Drive to generate solutions, and proven experience in navigating complex scenarios;
• Proven ability to develop and lead collaborative efforts to achieve specific outcomes, and to work strategically in a team environment with a variety of rights-holders and stakeholder groups;
• Ability to clearly set, manage and communicate expectations with internal and external groups.
• Strong ability to knit together partnerships, and to develop and manage outcomes;
• Strong presentation and language skills, and proven ability to develop written, oral, and online communications that are compelling and linked to organizational objectives;
• A positive attitude and high energy;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and superior attention to detail;
• Active curiosity and engagement in ongoing learning-having and seeking depth of content knowledge and understanding;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (particularly, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Zoom;
• Ability to converse in French is considered an asset.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent lived experience, in forest or natural resource management;
• At least five years of experience working with Indigenous communities, organizations, or businesses in an elected, volunteer, or professional capacity;
• At least five years of experience managing contracts and personnel;
• Direct experience with sustainable forest management, and/or forest certification is an asset.

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Applications will be accepted until January 13, 2023, or until the position is filled.

We strive to be a diverse and inclusive organization that strongly supports the growth and development of its people. As such, we realize that not every candidate will perfectly meet all the requirements outlined in this (or any) posting. If you believe you bring the “must have” experiences, skills, and qualifications, and are confident that you can learn the rest, we encourage you to go ahead and apply for a position with us.

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SFI is proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and being an equal opportunity employer. Our team represents a broad range of cultures, education, disciplines, and work and life experiences, and we strive to leverage these differences in our daily work. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe in creating an empowered and supportive team that is committed to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

Learn more about SFI Staff Culture, read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, and review our Indigenous Relations Commitment.