Assistant Negotiator

Government-of-the-Northwest-Territories; Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Government of the Northwest Territories seeks an Assistant Negotiator to support negotiations on land, resources, and self-government, while building relationships with Indigenous governments and partners. The role involves researching legal and policy issues and helping develop negotiation strategies to balance diverse interests.

The position emphasizes consensus-building, practical solutions, and a cross-government collaboration approach to governance within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social sciences with exposure to Aboriginal rights negotiations or conflict resolution skills.
• Diploma in Social Sciences with one year direct Aboriginal rights negotiations experience.
• Diploma in Social Sciences plus formal training in conflict resolution skills.
• Grade 12 plus three years direct Aboriginal rights negotiations experience with training in conflict resolution.
• Grade 12 plus four years direct Aboriginal rights negotiations experience.

Responsibilities

• Support negotiations related to land, resource, and self-government agreements on behalf of the GNWT.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Indigenous governments and partners.
• Research and analyze legal, policy, governance, and strategic issues to support negotiation positions.
• Assist with consultation and engagement activities involving Indigenous governments and organizations.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, recommendations, and advice for senior management.

Skills

Negotiation support

Relationship building

Policy analysis

Research

Education

Bachelor degree in Social Sciences

Post-secondary Diploma in Social Sciences

Diploma + conflict resolution training

Grade 12 + 3 years Aboriginal rights negotiations

Grade 12 + 4 years Aboriginal rights negotiations

Job description

Department: Executive and Indigenous Affairs

The Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs works to provide overall management and direction to the Executive branch of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The Department is responsible for: coordinating and supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of initiatives and actions in support of cross-government goals The Department is responsible for ensuring mutually respectful intergovernmental relations between the territorial government and Aboriginal, provincial, territorial and national and international governments are maintained; along with negotiating and implementing land, resources And self-government agreements that address Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories.

Job Information

Negotiations involving land, resources, self-government, and Indigenous rights are among the most significant and complex initiatives undertaken in the Northwest Territories. As an Assistant Negotiator, you will play a key role in supporting these discussions by conducting research, analyzing issues, building relationships with partners, and helping develop negotiation strategies that balance diverse interests. This is an opportunity to contribute to work that has a lasting impact on Indigenous governments, communities, and the future governance of the territory. This role is well suited to someone who enjoys navigating complex issues, building consensus, and finding practical solutions in a dynamic, relationship-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support negotiations related to land, resource, and self-government agreements on behalf of the GNWT.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Indigenous governments, federal and territorial partners, and other stakeholders.
• Research and analyze legal, policy, governance, and strategic issues to support negotiation positions and recommendations.
• Assist with consultation and engagement activities involving Indigenous governments and organizations whose interests may be affected.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, recommendations, and advice for senior management and decision-makers.

Key Qualifications:

• A bachelor degree in social sciences and exposure to Aboriginal rights negotiations or conflict resolution skills.
• Completion of a post-secondary Diploma in Social Sciences and one (1) year of direct experience at Aboriginal rights negotiations.
• Completion of a post-secondary Diploma in Social Sciences and completion of formal training in conflict resolution skills.
• Grade 12 and three (3) years of direct experience at Aboriginal rights negotiations and formal training in conflict resolution skills.
• Grade 12 and four (4) years of direct experience at Aboriginal rights negotiations.
  

- All other equivalencies will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Disciplines and areas of study of the Bachelor of Social Science include Anthropology, Criminology, Economics, Environmental Planning, Geography, Community Development, History, Human Ecology, Human Services, International Development, Industrial Relations, Political Science, Psychology, Demography, Public Health