Senior Policy Analyst

Tsawwassen-First-Nation; Delta; Hybrid; CAD 106,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BC Municipal Pension Plan

Employer-paid benefits

15 Personal days per year

Vacation time

Paid time off Christmas/New Year

Job summary

Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is seeking a qualified Senior Policy Analyst to lead a unit of up to three Policy Analysts. You will advance TFN’s strategic interests under the direction of the Chief and Executive Council, providing policy support across Health, Education, Family Services, Language and Culture, and Recreation and Events.

The role requires strong communication, collaboration, and mentoring abilities to guide policy initiatives and engage with external partners and Tsawwassen

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in social science, public administration, public policy, law, political science, Indigenous studies, or economics.
• Minimum three to five years of experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or a senior role within government or a similar organization.
• Experience working with First Nations governments and communities.
• Working knowledge of federal, provincial, Treaty First Nation, and municipal government structures and interactions.
• Experience developing policy, regulations, and legislation.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports, policy papers, and position statements.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing demands.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Manager of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs to: ensure TFN’s interests are effectively represented in engagements and negotiations with external partners, develop work plans and set priorities for Policy Analysts within their unit, and lead major policy initiatives, delegating tasks as appropriate.
• Collaborating with departments to support the development of policies, regulations, and legislation, including researching best practices, analyzing existing frameworks, presenting policy options, and drafting materials that reflect government direction
• Leading a unit of Policy Analysts, including managing the unit workload, providing mentorship, and overseeing performance
• Planning and facilitating engagement with Tsawwassen Members on specific policy issues
• Researching, analyzing, and preparing briefing materials and reports for presentation to Executive Council and the Legislature
• Supporting policy development and intergovernmental engagements related to: Family services, Human Resources and Talent Development, Culture and Heritage, Income Assistance, Language, Recreation and Events, Community Safety

Skills

Policy analysis

Advocacy

Public policy

First Nations governance

Research methods

Written communication

Deadline management

Diplomacy

Collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree in social sciences

Job description

Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is a proud Coast Salish Nation situated in southwestern British Columbia, on the Salish Sea near the mouth of the Fraser River. In 2009, the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement came into effect—the first modern urban treaty in British Columbia and the first treaty successfully negotiated through the BC Treaty Commission process. Today, TFN is a leader in self‑government that maintains a professional public service that supports the day‑to‑day operations of Tsawwassen government.

POSITION SUMMARY

TFN has an exciting opportunity for a qualified Senior Policy Analyst. This position reports to the Manager of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs and works to advance TFN’s strategic interests under the direction of Chief and Executive Council. The Senior Policy Analyst will be expected to use their strong communication and interpersonal skills to lead a unit of up to three Policy Analysts in providing policy support to a variety of Tsawwassen Government departments, including the Departments of Health, Education, Family Services, Language and Culture, and Recreation and Events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working closely with the Manager of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs to:
  • ensure TFN’s interests are effectively represented in engagements and negotiations with external partners,
  • develop work plans and set priorities for Policy Analysts within their unit, and
  • lead major policy initiatives, delegating tasks as appropriate
• Collaborating with departments to support the development of policies, regulations, and legislation, including researching best practices, analyzing existing frameworks, presenting policy options, and drafting materials that reflect government direction
• Leading a unit of Policy Analysts, including managing the unit workload, providing mentorship, and overseeing performance
• Planning and facilitating engagement with Tsawwassen Members on specific policy issues
• Researching, analyzing, and preparing briefing materials and reports for presentation to Executive Council and the Legislature
• Supporting policy development and intergovernmental engagements related to:
  • Family services
  • Human Resources and Talent Development
  • Culture and Heritage
  • Income Assistance
  • Language
  • Recreation and Events
  • Community Safety

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Undergraduate degree in social science, public administration, public policy, law, political science, Indigenous studies, economics, or a related field
• Minimum three to five years of experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or a senior role within government or a similar organization
• Experience working with First Nations governments and communities
• Working knowledge of federal, provincial, Treaty First Nation, and municipal government structures and interactions
• Experience developing policy, regulations, and legislation
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including both qualitative and quantitative methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high‑quality reports, policy papers, and position statements
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing demands
• Strong judgment, professionalism, tact, and diplomacy
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently

Additional Assets

• Familiarity with the culture, governance, and activities of Tsawwassen First Nation
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff
• Ability to attend on‑site meetings on a regular basis

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed primarily indoors in an office environment. Remote work is possible, though the ability to work in office is considered an asset
• Occasional off‑site travel is required to attend meetings, committees, conferences, and training events
• The position involves managing confidential and sensitive information, including intergovernmental and business‑related materials
• Some evening or weekend work may be required based on operational needs

COMPENSATION

• $54.53 to $61.20 per hour (e.g. $106,333 to $119,340 per annum). Placement within the pay scale is based on a review of skills, experience and internal equity
• Annual cost of living increases
• BC Municipal Pension Plan – employee contributes 8.61%, employer contributes 9.31%
• Excellent benefits, 100% paid by employer: 100% prescriptions paid, no deductible
• 100% varied paramedical coverage
• 15 Personal days per year
• Paid time off during the Christmas & New Year break
• Paid vacation time

We wish to thank all interested applicants; however, only short‑listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Pursuant to the Tsawwassen First Nation Government Employees Act, first priority in hiring among qualified applicants will be given to Tsawwassen Members, second priority to spouses (as defined in s. 3 (1) of the BC Family Law Act) of Tsawwassen Members, and third priority to members of other First Nations. If you fall within one of these categories and you wish to have this voluntary information considered as part of your application, please indicate the applicable category in your cover letter.

About Tsawwassen First Nation

Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) is a proud Coast Salish nation with our land base situated in Tsawwassen, B.C. In 2009, the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement came into effect – this treaty was the first modern urban treaty in BC and the first treaty to be successfully negotiated through the BC Treaty Commission process. The Treaty provides us municipal, provincial, and federal types of jurisdiction over a land base of 724 hectares