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Fire Policy Advisor
Operations Advisor (2 positions available)
Fire Policy Advisor
The ILI is seeking a strategic Fire Policy Advisor to join our team. The Fire Policy Advisor will conduct policy analysis, knowledge synthesis, and relationship-centered advising to support Indigenous Nations and organizations in advancing their stewardship and conservation goals towards Nationhood, with a focus on Indigenous fire stewardship through Indigenous Guardian Programs, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, Indigenous-led Nature Climate Solutions, and Indigenous wildfire knowledge systems.
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 being part of a highly productive team that is diverse in expertise and backgrounds, supports open communication, and works collaboratively. Together, our team will advance our goals of supporting Indigenous-led conservation, asserting rights over land and water, and ensuring Indigenous voices are heard in decision-making processes that impact their lives and environments.
Preference will be given to Indigenous Peoples. Candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must meet the ILI’s definition of Indigenous identity:
A person who is a member of an Indigenous Nation and community, that is recognized as an individual within their community, its leadership, members and other traditional governance systems and who can provide verification of their claim to being Indigenous.
The community should also be recognized by other communities within their Nation, and the Indigenous Person should be able to provide verification of the community’s status within their Nation.
Key Responsibilities and Requirements
Fire Policy Review and Advice
Review existing on-the-land fire, land, climate, and emergency management policies across jurisdictions for impacts on Indigenous fire stewardship.
Analyze policy gaps, barriers, and opportunities related to increasing Indigenous decision-making, Nationhood, and authority on fire management and stewardship.
Turn complex policy information into clear summaries that support decision-making
Prepare policy advice, briefing notes, and recommendations for leadership and partners.
Track emerging legislation, policies, strategies, and regulatory changes relevant to Indigenous fire stewardship.
Research and Policy Support
Synthesize Indigenous fire stewardship research into usable policy evidence.
Support research, including data gathering, that strengthens Indigenous-led decision-making and policy influence.
Assist with the development of research-based policy products, including reports and backgrounders.
Indigenous-led Engagement and Relationship Building
Engage with Indigenous Nations and their communities, Knowledge Holders, and practitioners to understand priorities, challenges, and policy needs.
Support respectful, protocol-driven knowledge sharing and co-development of policy positions.
Assist in organizing and documenting meetings, advisory circles, and collaborative policy discussions.
Ensure Indigenous voices and leadership are centered in all policy and research outputs.
Organizational Policy Infrastructure
Maintain awareness of emerging fire policy developments and share relevant updates internally.
Work with the fire team to develop and maintain internal policy positions, principles and frameworks related to Indigenous fire stewardship.
Support coordination across programs (including communications) to ensure consistency in policy-related work.
Build internal tools and briefing materials to improve policy readiness and responsiveness.
Contribute to strategic planning, funding proposals, and reporting as they relate to fire policy and stewardship.
Qualifications
A combination of:
University degree in related field.
Minimum 5+ years of experience working with and in Indigenous Nations and their communities, ideally in fire, policy, stewardship, conservation, or land governance.
Demonstrated experience in Indigenous fire stewardship.
Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis.
Knowledge and understanding of indigenous land stewardship conservation concepts.
Experience with writing for a general audience.
Deep understanding of Indigenous rights, governance, Nationhood, and Nation-to-Nation relationships.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and contribute to system-level change in Indigenous-led conservation.
Excellent communication skills in English (required). French (preferred). Ability to communicate in an Indigenous language is a strong asset.
Effective under pressure, highly self-motivated, and able to work independently in a remote environment.
Experience writing briefing notes and policy analyses.
Proven ability to represent Indigenous perspectives and initiatives at national, regional, and international levels.
Standard office computer literacy, using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint).
Skills
Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers, Indigenous Nations and their communities and partners.
Exercises sound judgement.
Able to adapt to a variety of situations.
Is self-motivated and self-reliant.
Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.
Service and goal oriented.
Demonstrates strong stewardship ethic.
Takes initiative for project development.
Able to maintain utmost confidentiality.
Works collaboratively with a team and independently as required.
Works collaboratively with other organizations in this space.
Participates in meetings as required in person and virtually.
Meets work objectives within established time frames.
Manages time effectively.
Manages and ensures projects and priorities are responded to on time.
Self-motivated.
Available to travel for meetings and within communities.
Available for overnight travel.
Able to maintain flexible hours as needed.
Knowledge and awareness of Indigenous culture, practices, traditions, and community.
Willing and ready to learn.
Accountability
Carries out duties related to the job description.
Keeps current with knowledge and expertise in the field.
Upholds ILI policies and Code of Conduct.
Working Conditions
This is a flexible, remote position. Colleagues are located from Pacific to Newfoundland time zones.
Travel to Indigenous communities and to meetings is required.
ILI is committed to decolonizing approaches to conservation, work-life balance, and values-driven leadership.
This is a one year, contract position with the possibility of renewal, with a compensation range of $380-$580 per day. You can view additional details about the job here.
Applications are open until March 20, 2026.
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.
To Apply:
Send a cover letter explaining your interest and experience, along with a CV/resume to: info@ilinationhood.ca no later than March 20, 2026
In the subject line of your email, please include ‘Application for Fire Policy Advisory’
Operations Advisor
(2 Positions Available)
The ILI is seeking a strategic, community-centred Operations Advisor 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.
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.
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.
Provide technical input and coordinate with subject-matter experts where and as needed.
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.
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.
Working Conditions
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: info@ilinationhood.ca and include “Operations Advisor” in the subject line.
Applications will be accepted until March 31, 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.