Director of Family Advocacy

Animakee Wa Zhing #37 is seeking a dynamic individual to join its team as the Director of Family Advocacy. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Director of Family Advocacy is a senior executive leadership role responsible for defending, upholding, and exercising the Nation’s inherent rights regarding child, youth, and family wellness. The Director provides strategic leadership for the organization’s legal advocacy and child welfare programs. They oversee a team of Legal Advocates and Band Representatives, ensuring compliance with provincial and federal legislation while advancing culturally appropriate, community-led approaches to child welfare. The Director also works closely with the General Manager and Chief and Council on program vision, policy development, and budgeting.

General:

• Number of employees: 60
• Salary range: $95,000 – $105,000 per annum

Perks & Benefits:

• Employer-paid health and dental benefits.
• Company-matched pension plan.
• 4-day work week.
• Statutory and Indigenous holidays.
• Paid vacation allotment, plus 2 weeks paid vacation at Christmas.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

Position Overview:

• Lead strategic legal advocacy and support the implementation of community-led child and family wellbeing laws and practices.
• Oversee complex and high-risk child welfare matters, including court and tribunal proceedings.
• Develop and oversee customary care agreements that prioritize children remaining safely within their families and community.
• Recruit, lead, mentor, and evaluate Legal Advocates, Band Representatives, and supervisory staff.
• Manage departmental budgets, funding, resource allocation, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and implement policies and protocols governing the Nation’s interactions with external child welfare agencies.
• Provide expert advice to Chief and Council, Tribal Councils, and provincial and federal partners on child and family representation.
• Monitor and advocate for compliance by external child welfare agencies with legal, cultural, service, and Indigenous data sovereignty requirements.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Social Work (BSW/MSW), Indigenous Governance, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 5 to 10 years of progressive management experience in a public sector, social services, or First Nation administration environment, with a strong background in legal advocacy or child welfare.
• Advanced, practical knowledge of provincial child welfare legislation, family court rules, and federal frameworks regarding Indigenous child and family jurisdiction.
• A profound understanding of the historical impacts of the
• Access to reliable transportation.
• residential school system, the Sixties Scoop,
intergenerational trauma, and local ancestral protocols.
• Exceptional skills in legal writing, political diplomacy, and alternative dispute resolution.
Ability to speak the regional Indigenous language is considered a highly valued asset.
• Must provide a current, clear Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Clean driver’s abstract.
• Other duties as assigned.

The position is open until filled.
Interested applicants can apply via email to: jobs@nwa37.ca
When applying, you MUST include a cover letter addressing the position, detailed resume, and 3 references.
We thank all applicants for applying. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.