Working collaboration with the Northern Latitudes Partnerships (NLP) and the Indigenous Sentinels Network (ISN) to support the advancement of subsistence food sovereignty and stewardship efforts lead by five Tribal Conservation Districts (TCDs) and their partners across Alaska. Specifically this position will:
- Provide coordination, advice and secure technical support needed by TCDs and their partners Alaska Native/American Indian programming and research.
- Assist TCDs with development of research and knowledge efforts to address priorities around traditional and locally harvested foods, including access, stewardship, and habitat conservation – particularly in the context of threats to food security due to climate change and other human impacts.
- Help develop and maintain a network of ‘Sentinel’ positions who will lead subsistence species and habitat work within communities that make up these TCDs
- Help organize training efforts and other convenings for TCD staff and partners as well as others working in Indigenous-led stewardship efforts around Alaska and northwest Canada.
- Assist in the development of outreach activities for diverse audiences like leaders and decision makers from tribes, Indigenous organizations, agencies and universities
- Build and strengthen internal and external relationships in collaboration with the NLP and ISN.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with tribal entities, community leaders, municipalities, and other stakeholders connected to TCDs.
- Consulting tribal governments, tribal councils, resource councils, or Municipal Councils, Native and Regional Corporations, and others involved in the TCDs about stewardship and information priorities associated with subsistence foods and habitats via a variety of methods such as community specific consultation strategies, meetings, phone calls, correspondence to promote participation, understanding and co-operation.
- Identifying, planning, promoting and coordinating partnership opportunities with Indigenous communities and stakeholders partnering to support TCDs and other Indigenous-led stewardship efforts.
- Providing input and leadership during negotiations and in the preparation of new research proposals and funding opportunities
- Undertaking comprehensive documentation and tracking of communications with TCDs and other tribal entities; ensuring that the required reports and documentation are produced and available
- Integrate Indigenous and western knowledge systems and co-production models throughout research activities
- Pursue collaborative research and stewardship funding in partnership with the NLP and ISN to support continued efforts by TCDs, tribes and other Indigenous organizations
KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
- Working knowledge of Alaska Native/American Indian way of life, culture, socio-economic, educational and political workings.
- Interpersonal skills and knowledge of collaborative process to identify shared priorities between diverse partners as well as best practices to facilitate and collaborate with Indigenous communities.
- Leadership skills to work with a wide range of stakeholders with differing interests and cultures
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience scheduling, coordination, and documentation to conduct effective meetings, negotiations, and research/stewardship activities
- Administrative skills to organize trainings, track budgets and expenditures of partners and assist with research/stewardship.
- Ability to prioritize, organize and coordinate research/stewardship and outreach activities in timely, and effective manner
MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience (including relevant job experience, leadership experience, as well as direct experience with Indigenous knowledge and western science),
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION
- 3+ years working in outreach or community engagement field
- Ability to travel to remote locations (i.e. Alaska Native villages) with limited supervision
