Job Description

The ILI is seeking TWO strategic, community-centred Operations Advisors to join our team.

The Operations Advisor will provide operations support and strategic guidance for Indigenous Nations advancing Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and informed decision-making on lands and waters.
*See how to apply at end of the description.
*For french description, read here: https://www.nationaliteautochtone.ca/emplois-ouverts

The Operations Advisor will be part of ILI’s interdisciplinary team focusing on a range of Indigenous conservation initiatives, such as: Indigenous Guardians, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), and work related to Nature Climate Solutions, Indigenous wildfire stewardship, and culturally grounded conservation economics such as evaluation and social return on investment.

The successful candidate will have expertise in one or more of these domains and demonstrate a working knowledge of others. They will recognize how these areas of work are interconnected and how they strengthen Nationhood. They will bring experience and knowledge working with Indigenous Nations and organizations. And they will thrive in being part of a highly productive team that is diverse in expertise and backgrounds, supports open communication, and works collaboratively. Preference will be given to Indigenous peoples. Candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify in their cover letter.
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Key Responsibilities & Requirements
– Strategic Operations Support:
· Provide operations and strategic guidance for community-led conservation and stewardship initiatives and organizational capacity-building.
· Support Indigenous partners of these initiatives in initial engagement, strategic planning, communications, partnerships, and implementation.
· Initiatives could include: Indigenous Guardians programs, IPCAs, Indigenous wildfire response and fire knowledge systems, and Indigenous-led Nature Climate Solutions.
– Capacity Building, Planning & Evaluation
· Co-develop tools and resources that support Indigenous Nations’ planning and stewardship (landscape, wildfire, forestry).
· Facilitate workshops, training, and knowledge-sharing sessions on program planning, monitoring, and adaptive management.
· Assist communities in co-creating evaluation frameworks that centre Indigenous values, indicators, and knowledge systems.
· Support communities to collect, manage, analyze, and report on data in ways that are meaningful and support informed decision-making.

– Analytical & Technical Support
· Offer technical capabilities that support the ILI team and communities in advancing Indigenous-led initiatives. Skills could include budgeting and financial planning, GIS and mapping, and monitoring and evaluation.
· Offer technical capabilities that support the ILI team and communities in advancing Indigenous-led initiatives. Skills could include budgeting and financial planning, GIS and mapping, and monitoring and evaluation.

– Community Engagement & Relationship Building
· Build and maintain respectful and long-term relationships with Indigenous governments, Elders, youth, Guardians, and community organizations.
· Support community-driven and informed decision-making processes and honour Indigenous law, knowledge, and governance systems.
· Ensure all engagements are culturally safe, inclusive, and rooted in reciprocity.

– Working Conditions
· This is a full-time position, which includes a benefit package, in accordance with our current policies.
· This is a flexible, remote-first position, with travel to Indigenous communities and regional gatherings as required.
· The organization supports decolonizing approaches to conservation, work-life balance, and values-driven leadership.
· Salary Range: $96,000 to $120,000 CAD

HOW TO APPLY?
– Please send your application, including a cover letter of interest and CV, to: [email protected] and include “Operations Advisor” in the subject line.
– Applications will be accepted until April 14th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as received.
– Preference will be given to Indigenous candidates. Please note that ILI maintains a policy of verifying Indigeneity, and requires potential candidates to show documentation of recognition or membership of an Indigenous community or First Nations.

Required languages: Excellent communication skills in English (required). French (preferred). Ability to communicate in an Indigenous language is a strong asset.

Education level: University degree in related field

Required skills: – Qualifications, a combination of: · 5+ years of experience working with and in Indigenous communities, in conservation, stewardship, or land governance roles. · Expertise, from a technical, analytical perspective, in at least one of the following areas: Indigenous Guardians, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), Indigenous wildfire response and fire knowledge systems, Nature Climate Solutions/Climate/Carbon, GIS/mapping, or conservation economics. · Strong experience supporting monitoring and evaluation, particularly in Indigenous contexts, with the ability to co-create evaluation approaches that reflect both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. · Skilled at building relationships with communities and partners. · Deep understanding of Indigenous rights, governance, Nationhood and Nation-to-Nation relationships. · Systems thinker with experience successfully overseeing multiple projects and/or supporting the overall movement of Indigenous-led conservation. · Demonstrated effective communication, networking and coordination skills. / Experience facilitating workshops and meetings./Experience working on land, ice or water. / Demonstrated ability to operate and represent effectively at national, regional, and international levels. In addition: · Ability to communicate effectively in English is required, verbally and in writing./ Ability to communicate effectively in French is preferred, verbally and in writing. / Ability to communicate in a First Nation language is a strong asset. / Ability to work to deadline. / Highly motivated self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work remotely. / Must be team-player. / High level of interpersonal skills and cultural awareness.

Closest intersection: Remote Work