Director Qanittaq ICC

Preamble

Increases in Arctic shipping present emerging opportunities and challenges for Inuit and Canada with significant implications for the environment economy geopolitics and Inuit rights in the Arctic. It is a priority area for Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada which is actively collaborating with partners to share Inuit knowledge and perspectives and to advance Inuit priorities in Arctic shipping. As the only international Indigenous organization at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ICC is uniquely positioned to advance the sustainability governance safety and efficiency of Arctic shipping on behalf of Inuit and Canadians.

ICC Canada and Memorial University were awarded $91 million by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to cocreate the Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative (Qanittaq) along with the University of Ottawa as institutional partner. Qanittaq is an innovative global partnership to build a knowledge base and deliver the evidence necessary to effect national and international policy change for Arctic shipping including creating the tools and solutions needed to improve the environmental sustainability safety governance efficiency and affordability of Arctic shipping. Qanittaq seeks to engage Inuit from across Canada and internationally to broaden and deepen Inuit involvement in all aspects of Arctic shipping.

Job Summary

The Director Qanittaq (ICC) is a senior leadership role responsible for implementing ICC Canadas coleadership of the Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative with Memorial University. The Director Qanittaq (ICC) is responsible for working closely with senior staff and leadership at ICC Inuit representational organizations Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) Memorial uOttawa and other project partners to realize a shared vision for the initiative which is centred on Inuit priorities for Arctic shipping research.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership of Qanittaq Initiative

The Director is responsible for advancing all aspects of Qanittaq coleadership on behalf of Inuit and Canada. The Director works closely and proactively with all project partners to build Qanittaqs governance administration management and sustainability by developing effective working relationships and finding creative solutions to complex and novel challenges.

Responsible for ensuring Inuit selfdetermination in Qanittaq the Director reports to ICC Canadas Executive Director and works with Memorials senior administrative lead to implement the strategic direction set by Qanittaqs governance bodies. They serve as an executive liaison within ICC and with senior officials at Inuit representational organizations Memorial and other project partners to realize a shared and sustainable longterm vision for Qanittaq advancing Inuit priorities building research capacity and Arctic shipping leadership in Inuit Nunangat. This includes responsibilities to identify and pursue strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

The Director will develop synergies with related work of ICC and other Inuit organizations to advance Arctic shipping policy and governance and Inuit selfdetermination in research including feeding directly into ICCs activities at the IMO and other international fora as well as coordination with ITK at the national level (e.g. National Inuit Wildlife Committee National Inuit Marine Committee Inuit Qaujimajangit National Committee InuitCrown Partnership Committee) as appropriate.

Inuitled Research and Capacity Building

A key focus will be to enable and support Inuitled research and capacity building by creating strong connections within Inuit Nunangat and supporting broad Inuit participation in Qanittaq. This includes significant outreach and relationship building efforts to engage existing Inuitled initiatives in Inuit Nunangat related to Qanittaq and active support for regional capacity building activities. The Director will work closely with Inuit representatives and academic partners to develop and administer Qanittaqs Inuit Research Fund and to coordinate Inuitled research initiatives as required.

Oversight of Qanittaq operations

As the senior leadership and operational contact point for Qanittaq at ICC Canada the Director will maintain close collaborative contact with coleads at Memorial and Inuit representatives. The Director works collaboratively to develop and implement ICC Canadas Qanittaq workplan which includes shared activities with Memorial and Inuit organizations as appropriate.

The Director provides administrative and operational leadership at ICC Canada overseeing daytoday operations for Qanittaq including directing and coordinating the activities of ICC staff and contractors engaged in Qanittaq. This includes: oversight of ICCspecific roles related to project management; ICC budget and finances; regional engagement support and liaison; communications events partnerships; information management; and reporting.

As the primary recipient of the federal grant Memorial University has the ultimate financial and reporting responsibilities to CFREF. The Director and their team work in close collaboration with Memorials Qanittaq lead and the Memorialbased Qanittaq administration centre to support Qanittaq governance and committees and to support and enable sound financial management and reporting effective communications cultivation of partnerships and of events for the Initiative.

Knowledge and Skills

The ideal candidate will have:

Excellent leadership communication and interpersonal skills to foster effective working relationships with individuals and groups from Inuit organizations academic institutions research teams government and industry representatives and community members;

Significant experience in financial management project management program development and evaluation policy development and advocacy and Indigenous engagement.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles of Inuit selfdetermination in research and how they can be implemented throughout Qanittaq;

Knowledge and understanding of Inuit culture Inuit land claims agreements and governance structures;

Knowledge and understanding of academic culture policies and institutional arrangements including research funding and governance;

A working understanding of Arctic shipping issues from community environmental and industry perspectives;

Creative problemsolving skills and a collaborative and selfmotivated work ethic;

Excellent organizational and analytical skills; and

Computer skills (i.e. Microsoft office email).

Minimum Qualifications

• A university degree in a relevant discipline combined with at least seven years of experience in project management research administration and/or management of research projects.
• A graduate degree in a related field; experience in working in multisectorial partnership; experience in largescale research initiatives involving Indigenous partnerships; and French or Inuktitut language skills will be considered assets.

Working conditions and other information

• ICC provides a hybrid in office and work from home environment.
• Long periods of sitting at a desk in front of a computer.
• Occasional domestic and international travel and regular meetings.
• Politically sensitive issues may become stressful.
• Intensified timelines and short notice deadlines.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for their interest in ICC; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applicants who are a Beneficiary under a Land Claims Agreement will be given priority hiring. We encourage Land Claims Agreement Beneficiaries to selfidentify.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however preference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. ICC is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. ICC encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women; people of any sexual orientation gender identity or gender expression; Indigenous Peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. All applicants are invited to identify themselves as a member of an equitydeserving group(s) as appropriate. ICC is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment. If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process please contact directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.