Role Responsibilities

Are you a collaborative, people-focused leader with strong policy and program oversight experience? Do you thrive in complex, high-profile environments and enjoy building respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and cross-government stakeholders? If so, we encourage you to apply.

Reporting within Community and Public Safety Services, the Manager, Indigenous Programs and Policy (IPP) provides strategic leadership, policy coordination, and grant/program oversight to advance Indigenous initiatives within Public Safety and Emergency Services. The role leads the IPP team, including leadership of the Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU), and plays a central role in coordinating Indigenous policy development, engagement, and program delivery across the ministry with an aim to improve the safety of Indigenous people and communities in Alberta.

The position ensures Indigenous programs and services are culturally grounded and trauma-informed, aligned with government priorities, reconciliation commitments, and federal–provincial–territorial obligations, and provides expert advice to senior leadership while strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, partner ministries, and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:
•Lead and supervise the Indigenous Programs and Policy team (including front-line FILU staff), setting clear expectations, supporting development, and fostering an inclusive, trauma-informed workplace.
•Provide strategic direction and program oversight for FILU, including operational leadership, continuous improvement, and culturally grounded service delivery supporting families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).
•Coordinate and inform Indigenous safety policy across PSES and partner ministries; identify emerging issues and advise on systemic impacts; participate in federal–provincial–territorial forums and MMIP discussions.
•Oversee the development and administration of grants, ensuring strong stewardship, compliance, risk management, and achievement of outcomes aligned with department priorities.
•Lead meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and partners (including with Elders and Protocol Table partners), ensuring Indigenous perspectives inform policy direction and ministry initiatives.
•Prepare and lead briefing materials, action requests, and presentations for senior leadership; serve as Acting Director as required.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

•Creative Problem Solving – Analyzes complex issues using diverse perspectives and evidence to develop practical, culturally grounded solutions.

•Agility – Adapts quickly to shifting priorities, emerging public safety concerns, and evolving community needs while maintaining focus on long-term goals.

•Develop Networks – Builds and sustains respectful relationships across Indigenous communities, justice system partners, and government to align initiatives and strengthen trust.

•Drive for Results – Ensures programs and initiatives achieve meaningful outcomes; holds self and team accountable for quality and continuous improvement.

•Build Collaborative Environments – Fosters trust-based partnerships and coordinated action through open communication and shared ownership of outcomes.

Qualifications

University graduation in Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, Social Work, Law and/or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of 4 years' progressively responsible related experience.

Equivalencies may be considered:
Directly related education or experience will be considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Required:
•Knowledge of Indigenous public safety issues
•Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Victims of Crime and Public Safety Act, and related statutes/case law).
•Experience with policy development, intergovernmental relations, and grants administration.
•Demonstrated people leadership (supervisory/management experience); experience leading front-line staff is an asset.
•Strong financial and administrative acumen (government/ministry policies/directives), plus facilitation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
•Experience working in complex, politically sensitive environments, with strong written and verbal communication skills (including briefing senior executives).
•Proven ability to build and sustain respectful relationships with Indigenous partners and stakeholders.

Assets:
•Knowledge of Indigenous Nations and organizations in Alberta.
•Experience building respectful relationships and working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and leadership.
•Experience providing or supporting culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and relationship-based programs, services, or policy initiatives.
•Familiarity with Indigenous cultural protocols and practices, including experience supporting ceremonies, gatherings, and/or circles.
•Awareness and understanding of key reports, legislation, and Calls to Action related to Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S+), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and Indigenous justice initiatives.
•Ability to speak or understand an Indigenous language.
•Experience working within Indigenous-led, community-based, government, or cross-sector environments.
•Lived experience and/or strong cultural understanding of Indigenous realities, histories, and contemporary issues in Canada.
•Experience supporting Indigenous approaches to healing, wellness, community safety, or justice.
•Experience leading engagement, collaboration, or partnership initiatives involving Indigenous stakeholders, communities, or governments.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

•Office is located at John E. Brownlee Building in Edmonton, Alberta
•Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (full time – in person)
•Monday to Friday (8:15 am to 4:30 pm)

Other Application Information:
•Please include a cover letter outlining how your education and skills align with the role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
•Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
•This position will require final candidates to undergo a criminal record check.
•Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.
•Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
•Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
•Leadership and mentorship programs
•Opportunity to join Employee Resource Groups, such as the Indigenous Employee Circle