Project Coordinator - Child Well-Being Law Development and Jurisdictional Readiness

Department:                                   Health & Wellness

Classification Level:                      PS-2            

Employment Status:                      Fulltime (Year 1 of 5-year Strategy)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Purpose

M’Chigeeng First Nation is committed to strengthening community wellness and is undertaking a multi-year initiative to develop a Nation-based Child Well-Being Law and a culturally grounded community-care model rooted in prevention, self-determination, and Anishinaabe values. As a vibrant and united community of the Anishinabek of the Three Fires Confederacy, M’Chigeeng is guided by a vision of being a proud, progressive, and Ojibwe-speaking Nation where people are healthy, self-reliant, and grounded in their responsibilities to Mother Earth.

To support this work, M’Chigeeng First Nation requires dedicated roles that will lead engagement, planning, research, coordination, and capacity development. Year 1 represents a critical readiness phase focused on community engagement, needs assessment, data gathering, and intergovernmental coordination to prepare for exercising jurisdiction under the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth and families. These roles will ensure that the development of the Child Well-Being Law and community-care model is community-driven, culturally informed, and aligned with M’Chigeeng’s long-term vision of self-governance, family wellness, and sustainable service delivery.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Coordinator is responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing Year 1 of M’Chigeeng First Nation multi‑year initiative to develop a Nation‑based Child Well‑Being Law and a comprehensive Community Care Model grounded in culture, prevention, and self‑determination. Year 1 priorities include community engagement, research, service review, model development, governance planning, and foundational law and policy work to support readiness for jurisdiction under An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program.

The Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Health and Wellness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Coordination and Staff Oversight

• Coordinate and oversee the work of up to three project staff, providing day-to-day direction, support, and accountability for Year 1 priorities, deliverables, and timelines outlined in the Child Well-Being Law Development Work Plan.
• Support onboarding and orientation of project staff, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, reporting expectations, and culturally grounded practices.
• Ensure team activities are carried out in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, practice standards, and project reporting requirements.

Community Engagement and Needs Assessment

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Community Engagement Plan.
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement Facilitators, coordinate engagement sessions with youth, parents, caregivers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, internal departments (health, education, social services), and external service providers.
• Facilitate surveys, focus groups, sharing circles, and readiness assessments.
• Document findings and prepare Engagement Session Reports and a Comprehensive Needs Assessment Report.
• Maintain culturally respectful engagement practices, confidentiality, and data integrity.

Research, Jurisdictional Analysis and Model Development

• Conduct a jurisdictional scan of First Nation child welfare laws and models across Ontario and Canada.
• Prepare a Jurisdiction Scan and Literature Review, Service Gap Analysis Report, and draft Community-Based Model Framework.
• Identify Anishinaabe laws, teachings, and governance principles relevant to child and family well-being.
• Prepare the Cultural Framework, Guiding Principles Document, and draft Community Care Model.

Law and Policy Development

• Support development of foundational elements of the M’Chigeeng First Nation Child Well-Being Law.
• Identify legal and policy priorities for future drafting phases.
• Coordinate engagement with legal and technical advisors.

Governance, Quality Assurance and Reporting

• Support establishment of project governance structures and processes.
• Develop performance indicators, tracking tools, and reporting templates.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports for the Director of Health and Wellness, Engaagdenjged and Chief and Council.
• Maintain financial tracking and reporting aligned with ISC requirements.
• Ensure documentation, records, and project management systems are accurate, concise, up to date, and audit ready.

Project Coordination and Administration

• Provide training on project management tools and processes as needed.
• Ensure alignment with ISC jurisdiction funding requirements and reporting expectations.
• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other relevant legislation.

Monitoring, Problem-Solving and Risk Management

• Monitor progress against milestones, deliverables, and timelines, and escalate issues that may affect project implementation.
• Prepare status updates, resource assessments, and risk-informed reporting to support decision-making and project oversight.
• Address challenges in planning, procurement, or risk management with a detail-oriented, solution-focused approach.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND DEVELOPMENT

• Fosters an inclusive, respectful, and culturally safe environment for all community members, partners, and participants engaged in project activities.
• Demonstrates professional integrity, serving as a positive representative of M’Chigeeng First Nation in all work-related and community interactions.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance competencies in project management, community engagement, and legislative development.
• Participates in regular supervision with the Director of Health and Wellness and completes scheduled performance evaluations to support continuous learning and accountability.
• Contributes to organizational improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen coordination, and enhance project efficiency.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Reports directly to the Director of Health and Wellness, who provides strategic oversight, direction, and performance supervision for the position.
• Accountable to the M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief and Council for supporting the advancement of the Child Well-Being Law Development and Jurisdiction Readiness Project.
• Collaborates closely with internal departments, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and external partners to ensure coordinated and culturally grounded project implementation.
• Ensures adherence to M’Chigeeng First Nation financial policies, procedures, and approval authorities, recognizing that financial accountability remains with M’Chigeeng First Nation.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all information is kept in the strictest confidence. This includes program information, personnel information and client information which is in most cases very delicate (police records, mental health issues, family issues, paternity issues, etc.).

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The Coordinator must be fully fluent in English, both verbally and in writing. Equally essential is fluency-or at minimum a strong working knowledge of Anishinaabemowin. The Coordinator is also expected to actively pursue supports, training, and initiatives that strengthen their ability to understand and communicate in the Anishinaabemowin language, in alignment with the M’Chigeeng First Nation’s commitment to language revitalization and cultural continuity.

CONTACTS

Establishing and maintaining positive relations with pertinent contacts at levels of government and within various organizations is essential to the success of the programs; therefore, the Coordinator must have strong communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Indigenous Governance, Public Administration, Law, Child and Youth Care, project management, or related field (equivalencies considered).
• Master’s degree and or project management certification is an asset.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in project coordination, child welfare, or a related field with a focus on Indigenous communities.
• Experience in developing culturally relevant policies and working with legal and governance frameworks specific to Indigenous communities.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and navigate complex project dynamics in a community driven environment.
• Experience with First Nation communities, preferably in governance, service transformation, or jurisdictional initiatives.
• Experience with community engagement, facilitation, consensus-building, and working respectfully with families and community members.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data tracking tools, and project management software.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of Anishinaabe culture, teachings, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and community governance structures, with respect for local protocols and practices.
• Knowledge of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, Metis children, youth and families, the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program, and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
• Knowledge of child and family services, prevention frameworks, and Indigenous jurisdiction initiatives.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in writing clear and concise reports.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing environment and timelines and manage competing demands efficiency.
• Ability to understand and speak Anishinaabemowin is a definite asset.
• Ability to work independently and maintain objectivity.

Other Requirements

• CPIC with Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Valid Class “G” Drivers License, and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Must have $1 M Automobile Insurance coverage.
• Commitment to cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and community driven approaches.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with frequent community-based engagement activities.
• Regular interactions with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, service providers, and leadership.
• Travel for training, meetings, or jurisdictional research.
• High level of responsibility for managing sensitive information and community trust.
• Staff regularly encounter high-risk situations involving verbally or physically abusive, emotionally unstable, or intoxicated individuals, creating potential threats to personal safety and requiring strong crisis-management and after-care practices.

Performance Measurements

• Maintain compliance with M’Chigeeng First Nation policies, legislation, and practice standards, with identified issues addressed promptly.
• Timely completion of key deliverables, including the needs assessment, cultural/prevention framework, and draft community care model.
• Quality and accuracy of research, documentation, and reporting, meeting organizational and governance standards.
• Effective coordination and engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and partners.
• Demonstrated progress in organizational readiness, including planning, tracking, and identifying capacity needs.
• Consistent alignment with Anishinaabe values, cultural protocols, and community-driven priorities in all work.
• This position must ensure that positive public relations are practiced.
• This position must ensure that the M’Chigeeng First Nation professional reputation is maintained or enhanced where possible.

CRC Rationale

CRC must be thirty (30) days current and be an original or certified copy.  All individuals applying for employment with MFN Education programs are required to submit Criminal Record Check upon successful interview. 

Interested applicants must submit cover letter, resume, and three (3) current work related references (2 work-related references from a direct supervisor/manager and 1-character reference that will be contacted upon a successful interview) and education certifications to the address below or by applying to this posting:

Coordinator
c/o Human Resources
[email protected]
M’Chigeeng FN, P.O. Box 333
M’Chigeeng, ON P0P 1G0 (Fax 705-377-4980)