Job Description

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35-hour work week
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision, and EAP. All premiums are covered by the employer.
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development
• Possible reimbursement on a portion of cell phone and internet expenses

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honor the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally, and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Senior Policy Analyst leads policy research, analysis, and development to provide strategic recommendations for improved public policy that supports the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and their families. Reporting to the Policy Manager, the Senior Policy Analyst provides evidence-based public policy leadership to support ONWA’s advocacy efforts and the ongoing development of culturally relevant policies, legislation, programs, and best practices.

The Senior Policy Analyst conducts research and analysis of local, provincial, national, and international reports, policies, programs, initiatives, and economic trends that affect Indigenous women and their families. They examine existing and emerging legislation and policy developments to identify potential impacts, opportunities, and gaps affecting Indigenous women and their families.

The Senior Policy Analyst develops decision-making documents, including business cases, briefing notes, discussion papers, submissions, and policy papers. They lead the development, coordination, and presentation of briefing materials, reports, recommendations, and presentations for ONWA management and senior leadership, as well as provincial and national partners, committees, and government representatives.

The Senior Policy Analyst supports ONWA’s provincial, national, and international advocacy efforts and represents ONWA at relevant regional, provincial, national, and international committees, policy tables, and engagements.

QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS

• Post-secondary degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Social Sciences, Women’s Studies, Indigenous Studies, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in policy-related roles, including demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Peoples.
• Advanced policy analysis and development skills, with experience analyzing and/or developing policies that impact Indigenous Peoples.
• Demonstrated experience in the full policy development cycle, including research, critical analysis, options development, recommendations, and evidence-based decision-making using an Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis.
• Strong research, analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to identify policy gaps, assess limitations, formulate and defend positions, and propose innovative solutions.
• Experience in project management, including coordinating and managing cross-functional projects, developing work plans, establishing deliverables, monitoring progress, and completing reporting requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver briefing notes, written submissions, policy papers, presentations, reports, and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic policy advice and recommendations to management, senior leadership, government representatives, committees, and external partners.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work effectively with multiple government departments, Indigenous organizations, communities, and not-for-profit organizations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and meet strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, databases, research tools, and other relevant technology.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered an asset.

KNOWLEDGE

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Indigenous issues, including the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, systemic racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma on Indigenous women and their families.
• Advanced knowledge of public policy development, legislative processes, government systems, and government administration at the municipal, provincial, federal, and/or international levels.
• Knowledge of Indigenous rights, human rights frameworks, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Knowledge of Indigenous women's issues, including safety, violence prevention, justice, health, education, economic development, environmental stewardship, and social and cultural well-being.
• Understanding of Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis and the importance of applying an intersectional approach to policy research, analysis, and development.
• Knowledge of policy research methodologies, evidence-based decision-making, environmental scanning, and legislative and regulatory analysis.
• Understanding of the relationship between public policy, legislation, government funding, and the delivery of programs and services for Indigenous women and their families.
• Knowledge of current political, social, economic, cultural, and legislative developments affecting Indigenous women and their families.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at hr@onwa.ca.