Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives & Policy

Brock University; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Dental Benefits

Pension Plan

Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Professional Development: Brock Tu itu

Brock Tuition Waiver Program

Job summary

Brock University in Ontario is seeking an Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives & Policy to advance Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous perspectives across teaching, learning, research and policy. Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, you will lead policy development, engage with Indigenous communities, and coordinate strategic initiatives within Brock’s Indigenous Strategic Plan.

This role requires graduate education, strong engagement experience, and exceptional facilitation and

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in Indigenous engagement, strategic planning and implementation, educational development, curriculum development, policy advising, and/or policy development.
• Lived experience as an Indigenous person or deep connection to Indigenous communities.
• Experience in project management and research.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, protocols, and community engagement principles.
• Proficiency in research methods, environmental scans, report writing, briefing notes, and policy analysis.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex and sensitive policy issues with discretion, cultural humility, and respect for Indigenous peoples, communities, and governance processes.

Responsibilities

• Advise and assist with the development of institutional policies, frameworks, and strategies to ensure alignment with Indigenous rights, protocols, and community priorities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Indigenous engagement, offering recommendations to the Vice-Provost.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with internal Indigenous faculty and staff and external communities, organizations, and knowledge holders.
• Lead and coordinate projects related to Indigenous engagement, including planning, implementation of strategic initiatives, timelines, communication, and reporting.
• Conduct surveys and research on Indigenous engagement practices, educational development, and policy trends.
• Analyze data and prepare reports to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Advise and assist with the development, review, and implementation of institutional policies, procedures, guidelines, and frameworks related to Indigenous engagement, Indigenous identity substantiation, curriculum, research, hiring, student supports, and other areas within the Indigenous Engagement portfolio.
• Support the development of Indigenous identity substantiation policies and processes that are ethical, transparent, respectful, and aligned with Indigenous rights, community protocols, institutional responsibilities, privacy requirements, and emerging sector practices.
• Collaborate and provide advice to faculty and staff to support the ethical and relational integration of Indigenous knowledge systems, pedagogies, and perspectives into curriculum and teaching practices.
• Develop and deliver workshops, resources, and training to support culturally responsive and inclusive learning environments; provide guidance on practices for integrating Indigenous content in alignment with Brock’s priorities.

Skills

Indigenous engagement

Strategic planning

Policy development

Policy advising

Educational development

Curriculum development

Research methods

Facilitation

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Graduate degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive!Brock has been proudly recognized as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for eight consecutive years. Brock continues to earn recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2026. For the second consecutive year, Forbes, in partnership with Statista, also named Brock one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date: October 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM

This job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)

About the Role:

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, the Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives & Policy provides advice, support and expertise to advance Brock University’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous ways of knowing, and institutional accountability. The incumbent supports institution-wide Indigenous strategic priorities including Indigenous educational curriculum development and pedagogical support, policy development, Indigenous-identity related processes, Indigenous governance alignment and implementation of Brock’s Indigenous Strategic Plan led by the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement. The Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives & Policy fosters meaningful engagement with internal and external Indigenous communities and supports the integration Indigenous perspectives across teaching, learning, research and policy frameworks. The Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives & Policy will:

• Advise and assist with leading the development of ongoing institutional policies, frameworks, and strategies to ensure alignment with Indigenous rights, protocols, and community priorities;
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Indigenous engagement, offering recommendations to the Vice-Provost;
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with internal Indigenous faculty and staff and external local Indigenous communities, organizations, and knowledge holders;
• Lead and coordinate projects related to Indigenous engagement, including planning, implementation of strategic initiatives, timelines, communication, and reporting;
• Conduct surveys and research on Indigenous engagement practices, educational development, and policy trends;
• Analyze data and prepare reports to inform decision-making and continuous improvement;
• Advise and assist with the development, review, and implementation of institutional policies, procedures, guidelines, and frameworks related to Indigenous engagement, Indigenous identity substantiation, curriculum, research, hiring, student supports, and other areas within the Indigenous Engagement portfolio;
• Support the development of Indigenous identity substantiation policies and processes that are ethical, transparent, respectful, and aligned with Indigenous rights, community protocols, institutional responsibilities, privacy requirements, and emerging sector practices;
• Collaborate and provide advice to faculty and staff to support the ethical and relational integration of Indigenous knowledge systems, pedagogies, and perspectives into curriculum and teaching practices;
• Develop and deliver workshops, resources, and training to support culturally responsive and inclusive learning environments; and Provide guidance on promising practices for integrating Indigenous content in alignment with Brock’s strategic priorities, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and Indigenous community priorities.

Please note this position may occasionally be required to work outside of regular business hours including evenings and weekends to support operational needs.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in Indigenous engagement, strategic planning and implementation, educational development, curriculum development, policy advising, and/or policy development;
• Experience supporting consultation processes, briefing materials, and implementation planning, institutional reporting, and cross-functional collaboration;
• Lived experience as an Indigenous person or deep connection to Indigenous communities;
• Experience in project management and research;
• Strong understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, protocols, and community engagement principles;
• Knowledge of Indigenous identity substantiation issues, Indigenous rights, and institutional policy development, and ethical engagement;
• Proficiency in research methods, environmental scans, report writing, briefing notes, and policy analysis;
• Excellent facilitation, communication, consultation, and relationship-building skills;
• Ability to navigate complex and sensitive policy issues with discretion, sound judgment, cultural humility, and respect for Indigenous peoples, communities, and governance processes;
• Promotes and embodies inclusivity and respect within the workplace and broader community.

Preferred or Asset Skills:

• Knowledge of post-secondary education systems and academic governance;
• Experience with Indigenous-identity related policy, Indigenous-specific hiring, awards, scholarships, and other processes in the post-secondary context.

Salary and Total Rewards:

Job Grade L, Salary Scale ($67,721-$108,353); Target Hiring Range: $67,721-$84,000*

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range. We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed. Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups. We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact [e-mail] if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met. Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process. We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted. Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca. Brock University is a comprehensive institution with rich academic programs and world-class research activity. Located in Ontario’s scenic Niagara region on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, Brock is situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With nearly 600 full-time faculty members and researchers, Brock's robust academic scope offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs in seven dynamic Faculties. The University’s 19,000 students come from across Canada and around the world. Brock’s renowned student experience is enriched by an emphasis on experiential education, as illustrated by community partnerships, volunteerism and one of Ontario's largest and most successful co-op programs. Learn more at brocku.ca.

Benefits and Perks:

• Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.
• Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid work schedule available.
• Professional Development: Eligibility for the Brock Tuition Waiver Program.