Who is KAIROS:
Formed in 2001 by bringing together over 10 previous inter-church coalitions, our justice commitments reach back over 40 years.
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is an ecumenical movement for ecological justice and human rights. Through KAIROS, ordinary Canadians of faith and conscience work together for extraordinary change. KAIROS is committed to truth, healing, and reconciliation for the past and Indigenous justice for the present. We support an active process of decolonization - with ourselves, our communities, our churches, and our country, building just and respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We support the recognition of Indigenous peoples as distinct peoples and nations, with rights to land and self-determination.
We are a charitable joint venture of ten church denominations and religious organizations currently administered through the United Church of Canada, and in process of becoming an independent nonprofit.
What is in it For You:
As a values-driven workplace, KAIROS offers employees the opportunity to work on impactful initiatives that address ecological justice and human rights. KAIROS fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued, and personal growth is encouraged.
With a strong commitment to work-life balance and a resourceful community, KAIROS provides a fulfilling and meaningful career opportunity for individuals who are looking to make a difference. If you are passionate about social justice and creating a positive change in the world, this opportunity is right for you!
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Indigenous Programs is responsible for providing overall leadership, vision and strategic direction to grow the Indigenous Programs at KAIROS and to support the mission and vision of the organization.
As a member of KAIROS’ senior leadership team, the Director contributes strategic advice and guidance related to meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples and the journey toward reconciliation. This includes guiding efforts towards decolonization processes at all levels of the organization to ensure shared responsibility. The ideal candidate has strong connections and relationships with Indigenous communities, Indigenous-led organizations and Indigenous-led social change movements in Canada.
Indigenous Programs team members (KAIROS Blanket Exercise and Indigenous Rights staff) are the position’s direct reports.
For this role, the candidate must be of Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit or Métis). We encourage all Indigenous Peoples in Canada to self-identify in their application.
Key Accountabilities:
Senior Leadership (25%)
- Work collaboratively as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to advance KAIROS’ mission, vision and values;
- Support an inclusive and collaborative team culture across the organization;
- Advise on issues of Indigenous cultural awareness/knowledge and training within the organization, including senior leadership and partners;
- Take part in organizational strategic planning, policy & program development and review;
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to respond to issues that need urgent action or organizational response in relation to Indigenous matters; and
- Represent KAIROS at relevant national and international conferences for relationship building and thought leadership.
Program Direction (50%)
- Lead the development of a guiding framework and strategy for KAIROS’ Indigenous Programs, in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
- Develop, nurture and maintain reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and partners;
- Review and guide the strategy and functioning of the KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle (KIRC), and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise Indigenous Advisory Circle;
- Provide leadership, oversight, and guidance to the Indigenous Programs staff, (KAIROS Blanket Exercise and Indigenous Rights) by modelling collaboration, problem-solving, and facilitating relationships of trust, cooperation and confidence;
- Actively manage team dynamics supporting a strong, equitable and healthy team culture, including responding to conflicts in a timely manner with a strong ARAO and anticolonial lens;
- Determine and manage staffing needs, including recruitment, orientation, development, and training;
- Develop, prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate program budget(s) and develop funding strategies to meet program objectives; and
- Assess and oversee strategic initiatives and projects, manage risks and develop contingency plans for the programs to meet long-term goals of the program and organization.
Planning and Evaluation (25%)
- Review and set standards and procedures for the operation of the programs and foster the development of a professional culture of best practice, learning, innovation, research, evaluation, and responsiveness to current and emerging program needs;
- Conduct assessment to evaluate the programs including curriculum and delivery model;
- Create and present reports, assessments, and proposals; including statistics;
- Initiate, support and strengthen community relations with program partners (government, industry, health and education sectors, and law enforcement) to support Indigenous Programs development and work; and
- Pursue synergies and promote collaboration and cross-cutting work across departments and the wider community.
Your job title does not define or limit your duties, and you may be required to do other work within your abilities at our request. We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments, which may impact upon your job duties or methods of working.
All KAIROS staff will exhibit practices that recognize and uphold principles of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), anti-racism, and anti-oppression (ARAO), exemplifying these principles in their day-to-day interactions with colleagues, partners, hosts, members, donors, supporters, and the public.
Job Requirements:
Core Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Familiarity with current landscape of Indigenous rights, policy and legislation, human rights and ecological justice issues;
- Strong understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and able to model this;
- Ability to work collaboratively, respectfully and effectively with Indigenous organizations and communities, government bodies, educational institutions, churches, Christian organizations and other key organizational partners;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to build, manage and mentor high-performance teams;
- Demonstrated ability to build strong interpersonal relationships at all levels of an organization;
- Excellent leadership and administration skills, and experience related to strategic and operational planning, program management, staff supervision and team building; and
- Strong computer skills in the use of various software applications - Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, OneDrive, MS Teams, Zoom and other social media and online platforms.
Education:
- University degree in Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Political Science, Human Rights, Social Work, or other relevant education and/or equivalent knowledge from lived experience; and
- Life - long learning and knowledge of the diversity of Indigenous cultures and practices related to leadership and education.
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience in relevant social justice work;
- 3 years’ experience leading and managing teams;
- Proven experience working in cross-cultural, anti-racist and anti-oppression frameworks;
- Proven experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations, and a strong network of contacts in the Indigenous community in Canada; and
- Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.
Other Requirements:
- Commitment to the mission and values of KAIROS and comfort working in an ecumenical Christian context;
- Passion for social justice, and commitment to the overall goals and mission of KAIROS;
- Knowledge of an Indigenous language and/or French is considered an asset; and
- Employee will be required to travel.
Physical and/or Cognitive Demands:
- Employee may sit for prolonged periods of time;
- Prolonged periods of time viewing computer monitor and keyboarding;
- Tight deadlines, with multiple and rapidly changing priorities; and
- Interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
This job description is intended to summarize the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements.
TO APPLY
Submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and vision for this role to Jess Wharram, Senior Human Resources Business Partner at jess.wharram@humanihr.com quoting "Director, Indigenous Programs" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. KAIROS Canada is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.
