Role Responsibilities

The MCA team implements the Government of Alberta's Métis Credible Assertion (MCA) Process, a program exclusive to Alberta Métis and grounded in relevant case law regarding asserted Métis Section 35 Aboriginal rights.

The MCA Advisor works in a first-of-its-kind program within Canada, operating in a complex legal and political environment. The role requires strong legislative knowledge, stakeholder management skills, and an understanding of the impacts on Alberta's duty to consult. The Advisor collaborates with ministries involved in Indigenous consultation, Constitutional and Aboriginal Law, Métis organizations, industry, and other governments interested in Alberta's model.

The MCA Advisor leads assigned files, oversees MCA Analysts, and manages the review and analysis of highly confidential historical, legal, and genealogical records. Through a multi-phase review process, the Advisor assesses evidence supporting asserted Section 35 Métis Aboriginal rights. Given the complexity and sensitivity of these decisions, the role requires strong project leadership, analytical rigor, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to work highly independently with little supervision and with team members on assigned assertions.
• Leads multi-phase projects that requires researching evidence provided in the form of qualitative data from historical, legal, and genealogical documents. Each phase is foundational to the next and the MCA Advisor decides when to move on to the next phase when the evidence is sufficient to meet the criteria.
• Perform in-depth research of historical, legal, and genealogical documents by reviewing and extracting data to gain an understanding of historical communities and the extent of familial, trade, and traditional practice linkages.
• Track critical deadlines for project to ensure all collaborators (MCA Advisors and MCA Analysts) are aware and on target.
• Work with Métis organization on assertions by preparing correspondence that provides feedback and gaps analysis on submitted materials as well as procedural updates (e.g. process questions, assertion document issues).
• Provide Métis organizations with a better understanding of the credible assertion criteria and associated case law through discussions and engagement sessions.
• Develop infrastructure for grant including financial logic model for grant.
• Monitor Government of Canada policy direction for unilateral changes in their relationship with the Métis in Alberta.
• Provide analytical support on FOIP requests and ensure they are responded to in an effective and efficient manner.
• Provide coaching in relation to project efforts while reviewing MCA Analyst's work.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

Systems Thinking – Integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions

Creative Problem Solving – Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems

Drive for Results – Commits to what is good for Albertans even if not immediately accepted.

Build Collaborative Environments - Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion

Qualifications

The position requires a university degree in a related field (such as History, Native Studies, Genealogy, Law or Policy) and a minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience with direct connection to Indigenous issues.

Equivalency:

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

•  1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
•  1 year of experience for 1 year of education..
  
  

Required Experience:

• Experience writing formal documents (e.g. briefing notes) and knowledge of the ARTs system.
• Significant history writing lengthy documents, papers, reports.
• Experience presenting to managers and supervisors on sensitive subject matters.
• Significant history of performing research and detailed analysis related to Indigenous communities and preferably Métis records and histories.
• History of work on sensitive projects preferably on Indigenous subject matters.
• Significant experience in analysis of historic and contemporary records in support of decision making.
• Organized and understands the need for proper record keeping and an understanding of FOIP protocols.
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian constitution, legal case law and how these impact Alberta's relationship with the Métis within Alberta.
• Strong knowledge of Alberta's and Canada's Indigenous history with specific knowledge of Aboriginal rights.
• Strong ability to work both independently with little supervision and in team environments with a drive for results.
• Strong knowledge of, and experience with, project management and project leadership.
• Knowledge of grants development and administration.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

Temporary full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday (In-office). Location 8th Floor, 9920-108 St. Edmonton AB T5K 2M4

Candidates may be asked to participate in a written assessment.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill current and future vacancies at equal or lesser classification across the Government of Alberta.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

• Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).
• Applicants being considered for this position will be required to complete a level Security screening (including an enhanced criminal record check as part of the pre-employment checks for this position.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

What the Government of Alberta has to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.