Position Title: Senior Director of Intergovernmental & International Relations

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Remote,Hybrid or local (MNC Office, #600-180 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON)

Position Status: Full Time (35 hours per week) indeterminate, with perks

Application Deadline: September 20, 2026

The Organization:

The Métis Nation is a distinct Indigenous people recognized under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982.

The Métis National

Council (MNC) and its Governing Members advocate for the Métis Nation. The primary mandate of the MNC is to work with federal and other key stakeholders to resolve systemic issues and concerns of the Métis Nation such as the fiscal relationship with the federal government; economic development; health; childcare and family services; education; environment, Métis veterans, and language promotion and protection. The MNC represents the Métis Nation both domestically and abroad and seeks to reinforce the Métis Nation’s right to self-government in Canada.

The Position:

The MNC is seeking a Senior Director, Intergovernmental relations to lead the day-to-day strategic management and delivery of the intergovernmental and international relations functions.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director serves as MNC’s senior subject matter advisor on intergovernmental relations and leads the day-to-day strategic management and delivery of MNC’s intergovernmental and international relations functions, translating the organizational priorities and executive direction into coordinated strategies, policy advice, engagement plans and deliverables.

Working closely with the Chief of Staff, and senior leadership, the Senior Director leads MNC’s approach to Canada-Métis Nation relations, with a particular focus on strengthening and advancing the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (PBM) and ensuring effective coordination of MNC priorities within federal intergovernmental processes. This role also supports MNC-led initiatives including the Métis Policy Forum (MPF) and promotes collaboration accountability, and cohesion, while ensuring responsible stewardship of branch resources.

The Senior Director leads the Intergovernmental Relations team, builds and maintains senior relationships with federal officials and government partners, and monitors the federal policy, legislative, and political environment to provide timely, strategic advice and analysis to MNC leadership.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead MNC’s Intergovernmental and International Relations Affairs Branch, including strategic and operational planning, priority setting, work planning, resource allocation, staff leadership, performance management, risk management, and delivery of portfolio commitments.
- Lead MNC’s work to strengthen and advance the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism, including coordinating MNC and Governing Member priorities, developing proposals and strategies for its continued evolution, supporting senior-level engagements with Canada, and ensuring effective implementation of and follow-up on commitments.
- Develop and implement intergovernmental strategies and engagement plans based on direction established by the Board of Governors, President, CEO, and executive leadership.
- Promote accountability, transparency, inclusive collaboration, and organizational cohesion across MNC leadership and teams by maintaining open communication, sharing information in a timely manner, coordinating priorities and workplans,



supporting clear and participatory decision-making, and constructively resolving cross-functional issues in support of MNC’s collective objectives.
- Provide effective financial oversight of the Branch, ensuring that funds are planned, allocated, administered, and monitored with integrity, transparency, and accountability, in alignment with MNC’s financial policies, ethical practices, approved budgets, and funding obligations.
- Coordinating with MNC policy leads to ensure relevant research, policy analysis, data, organizational positions, and technical expertise are incorporated into intergovernmental strategies, positions, and engagements.
- Monitor federal policy, legislative, fiscal, and political developments and coordinate analysis of their implications for MNC and shared Métis Nation priorities.
- Build and maintain senior working-level relationships with federal departments, central agencies, Indigenous organizations, and other partners to advance approved MNC priorities.
- Coordinate preparation for federal and other intergovernmental engagements, including briefing materials, strategic analysis, correspondence, engagement objectives, recommended positions, and follow-up actions.
- Support the President, CEO, and Chief of Staff in political and executive-level government engagements by providing intergovernmental expertise, relationship intelligence, strategic advice, briefings, and follow-through.
- Support implementation of the Métis Policy Forum by working with the CEO, Chief of Staff, and relevant MNC teams to coordinate intergovernmental relations and policy contributions.
- Oversee the quality, accuracy, consistency, and timely preparation of intergovernmental relations briefing notes, decision documents, policy products, and recommendations for the President, CEO, and Board of Governors.
- Support negotiations with federal departments and other partners, including the negotiation, implementation, and administration of federal agreements, contribution agreements, and other intergovernmental commitments, as directed.
- Establish and maintain mechanisms to track intergovernmental commitments, decisions, risks, and deliverables; ensure timely follow-up across the portfolio; and escalate significant risks, opportunities, or decisions to the CEO and Chief of Staff.
- Lead the coordination and implementation of international relations activities assigned to the portfolio, ensuring alignment with MNC’s approved international priorities, governance direction, and broader organizational objectives.
- Provide strategic leadership and advice on emerging intergovernmental and international issues, identifying opportunities, risks, partnerships, and recommended courses of action for executive and political leadership.
- Represent MNC, as authorized, at intergovernmental tables, bilateral and multilateral forums, conferences, and meetings with governments, Indigenous organizations, and domestic or international partners.

Qualifications

- Master’s degree in a related field and/or a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively senior experience in public policy,



intergovernmental relations, or a related field.
- Extensive experience working with and engaging federal government departments, central agencies, elected officials, and committees, with a strong understanding of the Canadian federal system and intergovernmental processes.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex policy files, including in areas such as economic development and/or housing, with the ability to align policy development to organizational and government priorities.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and political principals, including the development of briefing materials, strategic advice, and decision support for executive-level audiences.
- Proven ability to lead and operationalize complex initiatives or forums involving multiple partners and stakeholders (e.g., intergovernmental tables, policy forums, or collaborative mechanisms).
- Highly developed negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to build consensus, manage sensitive issues, and navigate competing priorities across governments and partners.
- Experience negotiating funding agreements, contribution arrangements, or partnerships with government and non-government entities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate positions and influence decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams, including performance management, coaching, and staff development.
- Commitment to advancing Métis Nation priorities and supporting distinctions-based approaches to policy and governance.

Knowledge and Skills

- Understanding of Métis culture, governance, and the historical, political, and legal context of the Métis Nation.
- Knowledge of federal policy and decision-making processes, including experience navigating intergovernmental and distinctions-based policy environments.
- Understanding of Indigenous rights implementation, Crown consultation obligations, distinctions-based policy approaches, and the respective roles of rights-bearing Indigenous governments, representative organizations, and advocacy bodies. Resilience, adaptability, and sound decision-making in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Additional Requirements

- Complete a clean Criminal Record Check with the Vulnerable Sector.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, at times with short notice.

The Métis National Council is an organization that is primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons identified by their Métis citizenship. For this position, preference in employment will be given to applicants who identify as Métis, in accordance with section 24(1) of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Since this role involves delivering culturally appropriate services to the Métis community, being Métis is a reasonable and bona fide requirement of the position. Applicants are invited to indicate their Métis identity in their application and provide proof of Métis citizenship at the time of application. The Metis National Council is an equal opportunity employer and are committed to the principles of Employment Equity. We encourage applications from qualified applicants of all genders, including Indigenous persons, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

📌 Senior Director, Intergovernmental Relations (Ottawa)
🏢 Metis National Council Secretariat
📍 Ottawa