Manager, Educational Programming and Indigenous Relations

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation. 

IISD-ELA acknowledges that its research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many regional schools come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems.

Scope

The Manager, Educational Programming and Indigenous Engagement oversees the development and delivery of educational programming for select target audiences, which may include IISD-ELA visitors, students, organizations, and other targeted audiences.  Responsible for the creation of effective learning programs and experiences that support and promote IISD-ELA’s mission and mandate, this position will organize, manage, and evaluate programs to ensure that objectives are achieved. The Manager is responsible for the management, training, and evaluation of programming and educational staff. 

Additionally, the Manager, Educational Programming and Indigenous Engagement will have specific responsibilities for Indigenous engagement and relationship building, including collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders in the development of programming. This entails:

• collaborating with Indigenous communities, organizations, and individuals to ensure that programming accurately reflects Indigenous perspectives, histories, and experiences;


• integrating Indigenous Knowledge, traditions, and cultural practices into educational programming to promote understanding, respect, and reconciliation; and


• ensuring that Indigenous voices are represented and amplified within educational initiatives, exhibitions, and public programs.

Key Responsibilities

• With the Executive Director, ELA, establish goals, objectives, and priorities for the program that are relevant to and consistent with IISD-ELA’s mission and mandate, including Indigenous engagement initiatives.


• Maintain and develop strategic partnerships by responding to and seeking out beneficial relationships that will advance program goals, including fostering relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations.


• Develop and implement appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines and monitor adherence to ensure programs run smoothly and effectively, including guidelines for respectful engagement with Indigenous stakeholders.


• Oversee the coordination of educational programs and activities to ensure operations are well integrated and efficient, always considering the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and voices.


• Organize and manage program budgets: monitor expenses and ensure the cost-effectiveness of expenditures, including allocating resources for Indigenous engagement initiatives.


• Establish performance objectives for all program staff and monitor accountability; supervise, schedule, train, mentor, and evaluate staff on an ongoing basis, including providing training on cultural competency and sensitivity in Indigenous engagement.


• Assess participant satisfaction and programming effectiveness; recommend relevant modifications to programming, including adjustments to better incorporate Indigenous perspectives and feedback.

Qualifications

• University degree, college diploma or certificate in a related field (e.g., environmental science, education, Indigenous studies, or public administration).


• At least 10 years of experience providing leadership in program development and education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required

• Experience developing and implementing educational programs or curricula and providing related training to educators in areas related to outdoor education and/or sciences.


• Demonstrated knowledge of various philosophies and methods of communication and education.


• Proven ability to conceive and achieve programming objectives (e.g., learning objectives, visitor satisfaction targets, etc.).


• Experience providing leadership, coaching, and training to staff.


• Ability to manage various projects or programs simultaneously; strong organization and time management skills.


• A high level of initiative and desire to identify the needs of targeted audiences to provide effective and relevant programming.


• The ability to cooperate with internal and external parties to achieve an end result; strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• The ability to manage budgets and ensure the cost-effective use of resources.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.


• Cultural competency and sensitivity in engaging with diverse communities.

Desired

• A master’s degree in a related field (e.g., education, adult education, museum studies) is an asset.


• Demonstrated experience in engaging and collaborating with Indigenous communities and stakeholders.


• The ability to communicate in both official languages, oral and written, is an asset.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Working Conditions

• Primarily working in an office or home office setting, utilizing computer systems and office equipment.


• Ability to travel domestically or internationally as required.

Physical Demands

• Limited physical demands, primarily focused on office-related tasks.


• Occasional standing and walking during meetings or presentations.


• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.


• Potential for periods of high workload, requiring efficient time management and adaptability.

Salary:  CAD 90,000–CAD 105,000 annually (based on experience and education)

Location:  Winnipeg 

Term:  Full-time

Application deadline:  April 4, 2025 at 4 PM CST

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada where they expect to be based without any sponsorship from IISD.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)


• A cover letter (one page)


• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional; right-click to download)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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