Senior Policy Advisor (Heritage Policy and Programs Branch) / Conseiller principal en politique[...]

First Nations Jobs Online; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

First Nations Jobs Online seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to lead the development of impactful heritage policies and programs across Ontario. The successful candidate will influence government decisions and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Key responsibilities include policy development, managing stakeholder relationships, and delivering Indigenous engagements. Ideal candidates should demonstrate significant experience in policy analysis, project management, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in policy and program development, evaluation, and implementation.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Strong consensus-building and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate policies and programs through research and analysis.
• Lead research initiatives and translate findings into accessible materials.
• Manage projects and consultations with Indigenous communities.

Skills

Policy development

Program evaluation

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Relationship building

Job description

Meet the Team

Lead the development of impactful heritage policies and programs that also advance Indigenous relationships and priorities across Ontario. Make a difference with the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM).

About the Job

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will drive the creation of heritage policies, programs, and strategies. Your work will influence government decisions and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities across Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate policies and programs, including research, analysis, and environmental scans.
• Lead research initiatives and translate technical findings into accessible materials.
• Prepare policy papers, Cabinet submissions, and briefing documents.
• Plan and deliver Indigenous engagements and consultation meetings.
• Manage inter‑ministry and external stakeholder projects and consultations.
• Provide strategic advice and issues management to senior leadership.
• Build and maintain networks with Indigenous partners and government stakeholders.

What you bring to the team

Policy and program expertise

• Experience in policy and program development, evaluation, and implementation.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and policy analysis tools.
• Ability to assess economic, social, and political factors impacting policy decisions.

Project management and analytical skills

• Experience managing complex projects from concept to completion.
• Ability to evaluate policy and program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and emerging trends to inform evidence‑based policy decisions.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt in a fast‑paced environment while meeting deadlines.

Relationship and consensus building

• Ability to build trust and partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Experience in negotiation and consultation to gain stakeholder support.
• Strong consensus‑building and mediation capabilities.
• Familiarity with Indigenous priorities and perspectives, and experience working directly with Indigenous communities and organizations.

Communication skills

• Expertise in preparing reports, briefings, and correspondence on complex issues.
• Ability to present technical material clearly to non‑technical audiences.
• Tact and diplomacy in communicating political impacts to senior decision‑makers.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We encourage everyone interested in working with us, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialised individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, to apply.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and comply with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.