Please note: This job posting will close on August 12, 2026, at 5 PM and this posting is for an existing vacancy.
OFIFC Senior Policy Advisors are team leaders, mentors, and change makers who proactively support OFIFC Directors in the advancement of strategic policy priorities aimed at supporting Indigenous self-determination and improved quality of life in urban Indigenous communities.
- To recommend through experienced policy advocacy, Indigenous-led solutions, strengths-based approaches, and fundamental changes to systems that do not work for Friendship Centre communities.
- To directly address and maintain pressure on critical public policy priorities that create the conditions for continued oppression, marginalization, and lack of self-determination in Friendship Centre communities. Work is undertaken in alignment with organizational priorities and strategic plan.
- Performs comprehensive assessments of portfolio-related public policy, identifying potential social, economic, political, financial or legal impacts on the Friendship Centre Movement (FCM) and recommending strategic approaches.
- 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 area of responsibility.
- Provides strategic advice to Policy and Program Directors, Policy Advisors, and Senior Leadership on public policy initiatives, working regularly with confidential information and making highly specialized/technical recommendations.
- Leads the development of strategic approaches to the implementation, evaluation and amendment of public policy to create a supportive public policy landscape for urban Indigenous communities which supports increased self-determination.
- Develops and communicates organizational positions through the development of frameworks, strategies, resources, and communications support.
- Anticipates possible policy issues within area of specialization and their related social, political and economic impacts on Friendship Centres and acts to proactively address concerns.
- Solicits, analyzes and integrates input from relevant parts of the OFIFC and member Friendship Centres to develop policy frameworks, strategies, and resources.
- Promotes and champions government policy adherence to the Urban Indigenous Action Plan.
- Considers policy issues wholistically and from intersecting lenses including impacts on Indigenous youth, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members, seniors and Elders.
- Builds knowledge, awareness, and capacity across OFIFC and Friendship Centres of policy landscape and key opportunities for strategic development.
- Prepares letters, briefing notes, sector research, reports, submissions, position papers, board reports, and applications while also coordinating larger department-wide initiatives.
- Coordinating and contributing knowledge and training to a Policy community of practice at the OFIFC.
- Makes portfolio-related presentations to large external audiences as required.
- Participates on committees, government tables, and working groups to advance strategic organisational policy objectives and supportive public policy, including engagement with Directors and Assistant Deputy Ministers as required.
- Manages multiple projects including supervision of staff, mentoring of staff, coordination with Friendship Centre staff, and preparation of budgets for approval by Directors and the Chief Engagement Officer.
- Ensures OFIFC is compliant with policy deliverables according to funding agreements.
- Contributes substantively to program and other evaluations as required.
- Maintains and develops relationships with policy 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 officials 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, assisting in local advocacy, and communicating funding opportunities.
- Consults with member Friendship Centres to examine the effectiveness of existing public policy to identify required improvements and support implementation.
- Organizes and leads engagements with Friendship Centres to communicate organizational positions, refine advocacy, and support capacity development.
- Shares policy expertise and provides support to other OFIFC workgroups on key projects or initiatives as requested.
- Acts as chairperson, technician, facilitator, spokesperson in fora or meetings convened to discuss relevant public policy directions or responses.
- 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
- Strategic & Analytical Thinking
- Creativity & Innovative
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Initiative & Self-Motivated
- Integrity & Credibility
- Strict Confidentiality
- 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 August 13 - 19, 2026.
Formal interviews are scheduled to take place August 24 – 25, 2026.
