CPAWS-NWT Executive Director competition now closed
June 2, 2008The CPAWS-NWT ED competition is now closed.
Please stay tuned for further updates and job postings.
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Download the pdf version of the ED job description here.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Our new Executive Director will be a dedicated, successful leader with a track record of collaborating with diverse parties to work successfully toward shared goals. S/he must be flexible and creative to effectively lead our organization through the changing landscape of complex multi-stakeholder land use and conservation issues. Knowledge of land management systems in the NWT, as well as the economic and cultural contexts in which we work, is essential.
Our Executive Director will help to build the future of the NWT and of CPAWS-NWT. This is a time of great opportunity for conservation in our territory, which is both unprecedented and time-limited.
- establishing new protected areas[1] that conserve ecological integrity[2] and protect the health of natural ecosystems and cultural values;
- safeguarding existing protected areas for the continued functioning of natural ecological processes; and
- promoting ecologically sound natural resource management between protected areas.
- providing consulting, project management, technical, administrative and funding assistance to Aboriginal communities working on protected areas initiatives;
- influencing government decisions and policy to support protected areas in general, as well as advancing protection for our priority sites;
- working closely with other environmental non-government organizations and the federal and territorial governments to prioritize and coordinate our conservation work;
- carrying out, supporting and communicating conservation research;
- serving as a watchdog to help prevent or mitigate impacts from human activities on the lands and waters of the NWT; and
- coordinating with other CPAWS Chapters and our National organization on national conservation issues.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Overall Leadership, Conservation and Communications (30%)
- Provide overall strategic leadership for the Chapter; seize strategic opportunities and act in a timely manner on key issues.
- Set conservation project priorities and develop and manage conservation projects with staff to address CPAWS-NWT’s strategic goals.
- Demonstrate creativity, ingenuity and problem-solving skills; initiate and support continuous improvement of our work.
- Ensure that our planning is aggressive and ambitious, and that it results in achievable long-term plans, annual operating plans, and campaign plans.
- Maintain and raise the public profile of CPAWS-NWT by representing and advocating for the organization in the NWT and across Canada; communicate our Chapter’s mission, goals, plans, progress and successes.
- Serve as the CPAWS-NWT spokesperson to our partners, funders, media and the general public.
- Serve as an effective member of the national CPAWS Executive Director Steering Committee, helping to implement national conservation, communication and business strategies and providing advice to the National Executive Director.
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the conservation field.
- Conduct official correspondence of the Chapter.
- Ensure timely production of the bi-annual Chapter newsletter.
2. Fundraising and External Relations (40%)
- Build and maintain effective relationships with Aboriginal organizations, foundations, governments, CPAWS members, CPAWS national organization, the environmental non-government community and other partners.
- Work in partnership with the Board of Directors and volunteers to increase funding, focusing on developing and creating an annual and long-term fundraising plan which includes building our membership and major gifts.
3. Operations Management (30%)
a) Financial Planning and Management
- Prepare and manage the annual Chapter budget and propose revisions if required.
- In coordination with the Bookkeeper, maintain and monitor the Chapter’s financial system to provide accurate, quarterly financial information to the staff and Board.
- Ensure fiscal accountability and compliance with all applicable regulations.
- Administer funding and report to funders.
- Coordinate preparation of annual financial statements.
- Assist the Board to establish and maintain effective strategic directions for the Chapter.
- Assist the Board in recruiting, orienting and retaining high-performing Board members.
- Assist the Board in meeting its legal and financial obligations.
- Assist Board members to efficiently and effectively fulfill their responsibilities and to hold productive meetings.
- Assist the Board develop Chapter policies and procedures for Board approval.
- Prepare monthly reports on staff activities.
- Provide advice and support to the Board.
- Hire staff and consultants; recruit and provide support to volunteers.
- Develop, review and monitor staff job descriptions and work plans; conduct annual performance appraisals.
- Help to create a positive, collaborative, respectful working environment.
- Communicate effectively and in a timely manner; be open with information and provide others with what they need to make informed decisions.
- Support on-going staff and Board member development and education.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate of a post-secondary institution with a major in Resource Management, Biological or Environmental Science, Aboriginal or Indigenous Studies, Communications, Leadership, Economics or related field.
Minimum requirements
At least 5 years of work experience that demonstrates:
- the ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment;
- the capacity to establish relationships, foster trust and strengthen existing connections and networks;
- the ability to exercise sound judgment and to take initiative;
- strong leaderships skills;
- excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
- familiarity with past and contemporary social, economic, political and environmental issues in the NWT.
Assets
- Experience living in the north.
- Experience or interest in: fundraising, working with Aboriginal communities in the north, working with a Board of Directors, and financial planning and management.
- Experience or working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the conservation field.
CHARACTERISTICS FOR SUCCESS
- Drive and persistence to achieve our mission and see on-the-ground conservation results.
- A positive and confident attitude.
- Commitment to our approach that relationships are the foundation of our work.
- Dedication to building and deepening our robust relationships with key Aboriginal organizations, decision makers and other partners.
- Analytical, strategic and systematic thinking and doing, including the ability to set priorities, anticipate future consequences and probabilities, and think proactively.
- Ability to manage an array of complex tasks over time that requires fast and creative problem solving.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, and to meet deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to convey information clearly and to tell our story to diverse audiences.
HOW TO APPLY
Application deadline: Monday, May 26th, 2008. The Executive Director Hiring Committee will be initiating the evaluation and interview process in early June, with an ideal target start date of late July to early August 2008. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.
[1] We define protected areas broadly, and include legislated permanently protected areas, as well as conservation zones in land use plans, where no industrial resource development is permitted.
[2] Ecological integrity: a condition where the structure and function of an ecosystem are unimpaired by stresses induced by human activity and are likely to persist (Parks Canada: Guiding Principles and Operating Policies, 1994).