Research Manager - Stewardship (Internal Applicants Only)

Position Title:       Research Manager
Team:                      Stewardship (STW)
Reports to:            Technical Lead and Program Manager
Job Location:       As identified in existing contract

Travel:                     Approximately 4 days/month (1 work week), on average (25%) 

Positions Open:   1

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS
Firelight is an Indigenous-owned consultancy that provides research and technical support to Indigenous Nations and organizations across Turtle Island. We specialize in six core areas: Livelihoods (Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economics), Indigenous-led Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Stewardship (Ecology, Planning, Implementation), and Health.

Majority-owned by First Nations individuals from Ebb & Flow First Nation (MB), Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (YK), and Garden River First Nation (ON), our work is grounded in community values and guided by the principles of relationships, accountability, quality, and responsibility.

Since 2010, Firelight has supported over 250 clients and delivered more than 1,000 projects focused on Indigenous rights, knowledge, and self-determination. Our growing team of 100+ professionals works remotely across Canada, with offices in West Vancouver, Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Kahnawà:ke.

JOB OVERVIEW

Firelight’s Stewardship team collaborates with local Indigenous experts, governments, and organizations to develop ecological inventories, monitoring programs, land use and stewardship plans, and land governance and strategic policies,  that are centred on Indigenous Knowledges, are scientifically rigorous, and provide practical tools for decision-making in complex governance environments. The Research Manager is passionate about community-driven research, building community capacity, and upholding Indigenous Knowledges while applying their ecological expertise to support the exercise of Indigenous rights through land stewardship and decision-making. The Research Manager leads and supports projects from development, design, and strategy to project management, research implementation, and final deliverables. They apply their research and facilitation expertise to address challenges and opportunities related to environmental change. The Research Manager consistently provides a superior client experience, enhances the company’s reputation, and ensures Firelight’s values guide project strategies and processes. They report to the Program Manager and are supervised by a Technical Lead, Research Director, or Business Lead.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Technical Advising

• Lead project design, strategy, and execution, related to terrestrial ecology


• Execute ecological research projects, data collection, analysis, and client deliverables according to project timelines and budgets.


• Lead and oversee the development of environmental regulatory reviews and provide final sign off for client deliverables.


• Produce high-quality, innovative deliverables in ecological research by applying technical and strategic research and evaluation expertise.


• Lead and support the application and development of best practices in community-driven research, including Indigenous wise practices at the local level.


• Lead community capacity-building efforts related to ecological monitoring and baseline data collection and guardian training.


• Uphold diverse Indigenous Knowledges in all phases of stewardship research through design and implementation by allowing local Indigenous Knowledges to guide the conversations.


• Ensure community-driven research applies a strengths-based approach by prioritizing and centring Indigenous Knowledges, traditions, core values, worldviews, and cultural integrity. 


• Ensure all work undertaken applies recognized best practices and standards related to ecological research and decision-making.


• Lead the development of high-quality research materials and reports under demanding timelines.


• Provide facilitation support to clients based on subject matter expertise.


• Support the implementation of innovative research practices aligned with emerging trends.


• Lead and oversee the development and maintenance of team tools, guidelines, procedures and policy with respect to ecological research to ensure clear processes guide our work

Project Management

• Oversee the development, execution, and evaluation of complex, multi-methods projects that are aligned with Firelight values and meet client expectations.


• Develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure successful project delivery.


• Support the timely execution of current, planned, and modified tasks in alignment with project scopes and schedules.


• Identify and allocate fiscal and human resources, develop work plans, and delegate tasks to achieve project success.


• Manage project budgets and invoicing to ensure profitability and healthy cash flow.


• Coordinate with the Program Manager and Finance Department to communicate with clients and ensure timely invoicing and payments.


• Lead discussions with clients to prioritize requirements for complex financial and organizational issues.


• Manage information, data, and documents following established procedures.


• Assure quality control.


• Support Indigenous self-determination and data sovereignty by upholding Indigenous protocols and principles regarding data collection and repatriation processes.


• Oversee and coordinate logistics for multi-day in-community work with research teams (i.e. research/data collection, engagement, etc.).


• Manage up to eight projects, ranging in value from $5,000-$250,000 at any time.

Client Engagement and Business Development

• Demonstrate and communicate Firelight's approach and ensure Indigenous voices are at the forefront of our work.


• Represent Firelight at client meetings and Indigenous community gatherings. 


• Represent clients at technical meetings as an expert witness.


• Collaborate with community partners, clients, Firelight team members, and external consultants to coordinate activities, including developing, designing, and implementing projects.


• Cultivate new and existing partner and client relationships through service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development (capacity building).


• Coach and mentor Firelight team members in respectful community engagement aligned with Firelight values and shared objectives. 


• Manage conflicts, disputes, and communications effectively and positively to serve as a strong facilitator of dialogue for clients.
  

People Leadership

• Foster a positive and respectful workplace aligned with Firelight’s vision, values, and goals.


• Inform performance management and professional development by providing feedback on staff performance to the Program Manager.


• Supervise Researchers and Research Analysts on project-specific work, including peer review, coaching, mentorship, and annual performance reviews to foster service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development (capacity building).


• Coordinate and oversee the work of Researchers and Research Analysts and provide feedback to identify areas for further development and growth.

• Satisfy health and safety guidelines and regulations for all office and in-community work, including while travelling.

• Support the development of Firelight’s organizational learning, including innovation in research methods and knowledge mobilization approaches.


• Model healthy workplace habits by prioritizing individual and team wellness. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Approximately 7+ years of experience in applied research with expertise in terrestrial ecology.


• Approximately 7+ years of experience working with, within, and for Indigenous communities.


• Master’s degree or equivalent experience, which may include community-based knowledge, lived experience, and connections to Indigenous communities                   (i.e. in-community experience).


• RPBio (or eligibility within six months) an asset. 


• Demonstrated strong writing experience, including publications of reports, guidance documents, community-facing summaries, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.


• Fluency in spoken and written English.

HOW TO APPLY?

Please respond to our online ad with the following: 

1. Resume


2. Cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements.


3. All files should be in PDF format using your last name as the file name.

As an Indigenous-owned organization, we are particularly committed to supporting the employment of Indigenous individuals because we recognize the unique challenges and barriers faced by Indigenous people and because we feel it is necessary to reflect Indigenous perspectives and values in the work that we do. We encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their cover letter so that we consider their application accordingly, as Firelight may give preference to these applicants.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals with a full package (resume, cover letter) will be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and remain open until the position is filled. 

At Firelight, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive team and we welcome all cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of all peoples and actively promote development of inter-cultural competence within our team.

If any candidate requires accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at [email protected]. 

Working at Firelight means being passionate about what we do. Be part of our amazing team, with a very exciting future.