Senior Partnership Advisor

Government of Yukon; Whitehorse; Remote; CAD 106,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Government of Yukon as Senior Partnership Advisor in the Department of Education, First Nations Initiatives. You will lead strategic engagement and negotiations with Yukon First Nations to advance shared education priorities and improve Indigenous learner outcomes.

You will provide senior leadership with analyses, recommendations and briefings, while developing partnership agreements and coordinating multi‑party initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience working with First Nations governments, organizations or leadership on governance or self-government.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships, agreements and collaborative initiatives.
• Experience preparing briefing materials and decision documents for senior leadership.
• Experience managing complex, sensitive or high‑profile multi‑party issues.
• Experience leading or supporting engagement processes and negotiations is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic engagement, negotiations and partnership initiatives between the Department of Education and Yukon First Nations.
• Provide strategic advice on First Nation governance, jurisdiction and education partnerships.
• Develop and implement partnership agreements and collaborative processes.
• Support senior leaders with briefings, recommendations and decision material.
• Foster trust, collaboration and reconciliation to improve learner outcomes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical abilities

Negotiation

Relationship building

Communication skills

Political and cultural awareness

Decision-making

Resilience

Diplomacy

Education

Public Administration / Indigenous Governance / Law / Political Science / Education / First Nations Studies

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Government of Yukon -> Education - Student Learning and First Nations Initiatives

Location

Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6 CA (Primary)

Job Type

Permanent

End Date

Full/Part Time

Full-time

Standard Hours Bi-weekly

75

Classification

AR18

$105,596.00 - $122,633.00

Union

YEU

Days Off

Saturday/Sunday

Travel

25%

Admissibility

Open to all Candidates, Preference - Canadian Indigenous Ancestry, Preference - Yukon First Nations ancestry

This competition is open to all candidates who meet the above noted Admissibility. A hiring preference will apply for qualified candidates of Canadian Indigenous ancestry, with a priority for qualified Yukon First Nation candidates. This initiative is in support of Yukon government’s goal for a representative public service. For more information on the hiring preference visit www.yukon.ca/hiring-preference .

Job Summary and Requirements

This competition is to fill (1) full-time permanent position working 75 hours bi-weekly.

Living in Yukon Thriving in Life

Join the team at the Department of Education with the Yukon government!

Our goal is to support all learners in developing the essential skills, knowledge and personal qualities that they need to thrive in life.

Our department plays a crucial role in delivering a wide range of services and supports that span from early learning to adult education and encompass K-12 schooling. We are proud of our diverse team of professionals who collaborate to develop and implement policies, programs and initiatives that promote student success and enhance educational outcomes across the territory.

The Department of Education is committed to supporting learner success and strengthening educational outcomes for First Nations learners through meaningful collaboration, partnership and reconciliation. The First Nations Initiatives (FNI) Branch works closely with Yukon First Nations, education partners and Government of Yukon departments to advance shared priorities, support the coordination and advancement of commitments under the Joint Education Action Plan (JEAP) to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners and ensure Yukon schools reflect Yukon First Nation ways of knowing, doing and being.

The branch is responsible for developing and maintaining strong government-to-government relationships with Yukon First Nations and supporting collaborative approaches to education planning, program development, funding agreements and learner success initiatives. Through ongoing engagement, partnership-building and strategic problem-solving, the branch helps advance shared priorities to improve outcomes for Yukon First Nations and indigenous learners, families and communities.

Join our team and contribute to strengthening relationships, advancing reconciliation, and supporting education initiatives that make a meaningful difference for Yukon First Nations learners.

The Opportunity

The Senior Partnership Advisor is responsible for leading strategic engagement, negotiations and partnership initiatives between the Department of Education and Yukon First Nations. Reporting to the Director, First Nations Initiatives, the position works collaboratively with First Nations government representatives, partners, and senior leadership to advance shared education priorities and support the implementation of agreements, commitments and initiatives that improve outcomes for Indigenous learners.

This position provides strategic advice and leadership on matters related to First Nation governance, jurisdiction, self-government agreements, education partnerships and relationship management. The Senior Partnership Advisor leads complex discussions and negotiations with First Nations governments, identifies opportunities to advance shared priorities, and helps find practical and sustainable paths forward on complex and sensitive issues.

The position supports the development and implementation of partnership agreements, strategic initiatives and collaborative processes, while providing analysis, recommendations and briefings to senior leaders. Success in this role requires strong critical thinking and analytical abilities, sound judgment, political acuity, and the ability to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, resilience and respect.

Working closely with the Director, First Nations Initiatives, Yukon First Nations Governments, and education partners, the Senior Partnership Advisor plays a key role in building trust, strengthening partnerships and advancing reconciliation through collaborative approaches that support First Nations learner success and long-term educational outcomes.

Essential Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Public Administration, Indigenous Governance, Law, Political Science, Education, First Nations Studies, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience working with First Nations governments, organizations, or leadership on governance, self-government, treaty implementation, land claims, jurisdiction, agreements.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships, agreements and collaborative initiatives.
• Experience preparing briefing materials, recommendations and decision documents for senior leadership.
• Experience managing complex, sensitive, or high-profile issues involving multiple parties.
• Experience leading or supporting engagement processes, complex negotiations, consultation projects and multi-party initiatives is an asset

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Suitability:

• Strategic and critical thinking.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Political and cultural awareness.
• Relationship and partnership building.
• Sound judgment and decision-making.
• Resilience and professionalism in challenging situations.
• Tact and diplomacy when handling sensitive matters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence, collaborate and work effectively with diverse partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands.

Additional Information

Job Requirements:

• Travel within Yukon as required.
• Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence.

If you have questions about this position, please contact: Paula Banks, Director, First Nations Initiatives, at [e-mail]
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact: Desiree Martsinkiw, Human Resources Manager at [e-mail]