Senior Government Relations Advisor (Contract until June 30, 2027)

Please note: This job posting will close on March 6, 2026, at 5 PM and this posting is for an existing vacancy.

Objective:  

The Senior Government Relations Advisor is a strategic leader who advances organizational and local community-driven priorities across all levels of government. The role provides expert advice, builds high-level relationships, and leads election readiness and advocacy frameworks to ensure Friendship Centre voices are represented in public policy and decision-making.  

Key Deliverables: 

• Advance Friendship Centre priorities through the development of strategic government relations strategies. 


• Build and manage senior level relationships with government and urban Indigenous partners. As well as providing high-level strategic advice to Senior Leadership and Friendship Centres executives on effective Government relations tactics and strategies. 


• Lead election readiness initiatives and ensure Urban Indigenous and Friendship Centre priorities are included in government platforms.  


• Provide cross-organizational knowledge sharing on government relations advice relevant to OFIFC programs and policy. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Government Relations Analysis, Strategy and Advocacy (65%): 

• Manage external communications and advocacy of the provincial and federal budget cycles, emerging priorities, and OFIFC submissions. 


• Anticipate emerging political opportunities and risks, ensuring organizational positioning is proactive.  


• Provides strategic advice to Policy and Program Directors, Policy Advisors, and Senior Leadership on government relations tactics, as well as working regularly with confidential information and making highly specialized/technical recommendations. 


• Leads election readiness strategies, including analyzing party platforms and coordinating candidate engagement across OFIFC and Friendship Centre movement 


• Leads the development of strategic approaches to the implementation, evaluation and amendment of government relations strategies that support a healthy public policy landscape for urban Indigenous communities, which in turn supports increased self-determination. 


• Solicits, analyzes and integrates input from relevant parts of the OFIFC and member Friendship Centres to develop advocacy frameworks, strategies, and resources. 


• Promotes and champions government policy adherence to the Urban Indigenous Action Plan. 


• Serves as an organizational expert on key issues and leading practices through familiarity with data, including research, government and stakeholder reports, policies, frameworks, legislation, laws, and statistics within the area of responsibility. 


• Builds knowledge, awareness, and capacity across OFIFC and Friendship Centres of the political landscape and key opportunities for strategic development by providing advocacy frameworks and tools for local engagement. 


• Participates in committees, government tables, and working groups to advance strategic organizational policy objectives and supportive public policy, including engagement with Directors and Assistant Deputy Ministers as required.  

Relationships/Partnerships/Support (35%): 

• Maintains and develops relationships with political staff at all levels of government and with other stakeholders to advance supportive public policy. 


• Manages significant relationships with all levels of government, including with senior political staff as required, maintaining confidentiality, diplomacy and influence. 


• Develops supportive and trusting relationships with Friendship Centre Executive Directors through the advancement of key priorities of member Friendship Centres.  


• Participates in Friendship Centre field visits and takes responsibility to address key issues relayed from Friendship Centre Executive Directors. 


• Participates in capacity support to Friendship Centres by promoting and facilitating stakeholder relationships at the local level and assisting in local advocacy. 


• Organizes and leads engagements with Friendship Centres to advance advocacy and support capacity development. 


• Maintains strategic relationships with Indigenous PTOs, NIOs, as well as relevant non-Indigenous organizations. 

Education/Work Experience: 

• Post-secondary education in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, or another relevant discipline 


• 3-5 years’ experience in policy advisory role  


• Experience in project management an asset 

Behavioural Competencies: 

• Strategic & Analytical Thinking 


• Creativity & Innovative 


• Problem Solving & Decision Making 


• Initiative & Self-Motivated  


• Integrity & Credibility 


• Strict Confidentiality   

Technical Competencies: 

• Experience working within the Indigenous non-profit policy sector.  


• Superior understanding of the development, analysis and implementation of public policy, including legislation, regulation, and policy frameworks. 


• Strong familiarity with government organizational structures, political theory, the policy cycle, and legislative processes. 


• Excellent ability to synthesize multiple ideas and complex information into a coherent summary, to communicate concepts clearly, and to make cogent recommendations for the modification or creation of legislation, policies, and programs. 


• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to be persuasive while maintaining tact, clarity, enthusiasm, and accuracy for varied audiences. 


• Ability to advance creative solutions toward the achievement of strategic objectives. 


• Ability to meet multiple competing deadlines and to produce high-quality policy products including correspondence, submissions, position papers, and briefings at short notice. 

What we offer:

• Culture-based organization


• Registered Pension Plan - Employer Matching


• Hiring Range: $80,000 - $84,400


• Full Pay Range: $80,000 - $98,000


• Comprehensive Health benefits after the probationary period including Health Care Spending Account & Lifestyle Spending Account (100% Employer paid)

The OFIFC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce; we promote employment equity and encourage applicants to indicate if you belong to one of the four designated employment equity groups Women, Indigenous peoples, Persons with disabilities, or Members of visible minorities when you apply. 

Preference will be given to qualified Turtle Island Indigenous people including members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis (recognized by the Metis National Council).  Applicants claiming Indigenous ancestry will be required to provide supporting documentation to substantiate their claim.

Accommodation:

The OFIFC is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Candidates who participate in an interview will be informed of the outcome of their candidacy within 45 days following their final interview.

OFIFC does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools in the screening or selection of candidates for this position.

Pre-screen Interviews are scheduled to start March 9 – 19, 2026.

Formal interviews are scheduled to take place March 20 – 26, 2026.