Lead Indigenous Peoples Engagement

Freeport-McMoRan; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading exploration company is seeking an experienced individual to engage with First Nations in Canada on exploration projects, overseeing permitting and due diligence processes. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in Indigenous engagement. This role demands strong project management skills and the ability to maintain positive relationships. The position is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and 7 years experience in relevant fields or equivalent experience.
• Strong Project Management skills and experience required.
• Direct Indigenous Peoples engagement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with First Nations on exploration projects.
• Oversee permitting processes in British Columbia.
• Advance negotiation of contracts related to First Nations.

Skills

Project Management

Leadership

Microsoft Office skills

Writing and verbal communication

Indigenous Peoples engagement

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Associate's degree in relevant field

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The role will take the lead for on the ground engagement with First Nations in Canada, with a focus on Freeport-McMoRan’s exploration projects in British Columbia, working and collaborating with relevant Freeport teams in following engagement best practices and positioning Freeport as the development partner of choice, providing both strategic advice as well as implementing strategy. Additionally, the role will oversee the permitting and title process in British Columbia, coordinating the relevant due diligence processes and monitoring any new regulatory developments.

Additional Responsibilities

• Working with relevant Freeport-McMoRan staff, advancing the negotiation, development, and management of contracts, agreements, protocols and other First Nations processes for Freeport’s exploration projects in British Columbia.
• Facilitating and monitoring of First Nations engagement with various joint venture partners across British Columbia.
• Coordination of First Nations due diligence processes for potential future Freeport exploration projects across British Columbia.
• Assist with permit and title applications, reviews, and approvals in British Columbia, as well as identifying new developments in the permitting processes.
• Advance and manage social investment programs available to First Nations.
• Through meaningful engagement, advise and provide recommendations related to maintaining positive relationships and building trust with First Nations to senior leadership
• Work with internal and external communications personnel to develop relevant messaging and materials related to the company, operations, and First Nations.
• Liaison and support to the US based team or other projects as appropriate or directed
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Community / Sustainable Development, Public Administration, Business Administration / Economics, International Relations, or other social or environmental sciences or related field and seven years direct experience in one or more of the fields listed above, and three years of lead or supervisory experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree in one of the fields mentioned above and nine years direct experience in one or more of the fields listed above, and three years lead or supervisory experience OR
• Associate's degree in one of the fields mentioned above and eleven years direct experience in one or more of the fields listed above, and three years lead or supervisory experience OR
• High School Diploma or GED and Thirteen years direct experience in one or more of the fields listed above, and three years lead or supervisory experience.
• Strong Project Management skills and experience
• Direct Indigenous Peoples, First Nations and / or Native American Government experience and engagement or experience with other relevant external governments or agencies (National / Federal, Provincial / State, etc.)
• Leadership skills
• Microsoft Office skills
• Strong abilities in writing and verbal communication
• Breadth of Indigenous Peoples, First Nations, Native American experiences and relationships
• Familiarity with the legal and political landscape in Canada and British Columbia with respect to First Nations and resource development projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of mining, extractive, resource development, construction activities or operations
• Experience with negotiating benefit agreements, access agreements, etc. with or for indigenous Peoples / First Nations
• Understanding shared decision-making, where the goal is to move from consultation to more collaborative, consent-based processes
• An understanding of the Impact Benefit Agreements framework
• Familiarity with the British Columbia government’s Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF), and the associated processes for notifying First Nations prior to staking claims