Director, Intergovernmental Relations

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

Working and living in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the Director, Intergovernmental Relations plays a key leadership role in the development of government-wide strategies to address intergovernmental relations advocating GNWT interests and advancing GNWT priorities. This dynamic role will have an opportunity to provide expert advice relating to intergovernmental relations to Senior Leadership and, where appropriate, the Premier.

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, Indigenous and Intergovernmental Affairs, this position has an opportunity to collaborate with senior government officials, including Deputy Ministers, with coordinating the implementation of specific intergovernmental strategies. The Director, Intergovernmental Relations is accountable for coordinating, managing, and directing all government-wide intergovernmental relations with the federal, provincial, territorial and international governments, supervising the Chief of Protocol and protocol-related work of the GNWT and for liaising with other GNWT departments in the fulfillment of their mandate-specific intergovernmental relations.

The ideal candidate will possess expert knowledge about national, provincial/territorial and domestic political environments along with the complex system of governance in the NWT and NWT's environment. Some of the key critical skills and abilities include:

• Effective and strong communication, inclusive of negotiation and diplomatic skills
• Exceptional leadership skills in a cross-cultural setting with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and represent the department
• Strong strategic thinking and project management abilities

Typically, these skills and expert knowledge are acquired through the completion of a university degree in political science (or related area), plus 7 years of progressive experience preferably in government, including at least 3 years of supervisory/management experience; or equivalencies can include:

• A college diploma in political science (or related area), plus 9 years of progressive experience preferably in government, including at least 3 years of supervisory/management experience; or
• A college certificate in political science (or related area), plus 11 years of progressive experience preferably in government, including at least 3 years of supervisory/management experience.

The GNWT offers a competitive salary, an annual northern living allowance, a generous defined benefit pension plan, and health/dental benefits in addition to relocation assistance.

GNWT Inquiries

Inquiries Only:

Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE 5TH FLOOR
BOX 1320 YELLOWKNIFE NT X1A 2L9
Tel (867) 767-9154 Extension 14106
Fax (867) 873-0445
jobsyk@gov.nt.ca

Note: If you do not receive electronic notification confirming receipt of your application, please follow up via telephone.