PROGRAM LEAD, INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT AND RECONCILIATION – Across Canada

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few   

• In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

• A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

• Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Part of the Sustainability, DEI & Social Impact team, the Senior Advisor will act as Program Lead of Indigenous Engagement & Reconciliation and will be accountable for leading the development and implementation of the bank’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a multi-year strategy that accelerates our commitment to responding to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action for the corporate sector. The successful candidate will report to the National Lead for DEI & Social Impact and play a key role in supporting BDC’s efforts to advance reconciliation with its key constituents and will collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders.

The incumbent will be responsible for leading BDC’s efforts to advance reconciliation, including the development and execution of strategies relating to the RAP to ensure BDC policies, programs and standards reflect our stated commitment to the Calls to Action. Their work will involve conducting research and benchmarking, strategy development, project management and stakeholder engagement (internal/external). 

CHALLENGES TO BE MET 

• Provide expert advice and guidance on Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation to strengthen BDC’s strategies, policies, and programs in its commitment to the Calls to Action. 

• Lead the development of a bank-wide Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), in consultation with key internal stakeholders. 

• Recommend solutions in line with the objectives and priorities of the RAP and assist BDC stakeholders on the implementation of the RAP into processes, policies, procedures, and strategies, supporting in the identification of gaps and areas for improvement. 

• Advise on and lead the process for BDC to obtain PAR (Progressive Aboriginal Relations) certification. 

• Advise on best practice with respect to internal governance and advisory structures on Indigenous Engagement & Reconciliation, including the need for and suitability of an Elder Council or similar. 

• Conduct research and benchmarking to advise on Indigenous engagement and reconciliation best practice, standards, policies, trends and regulatory requirements (where applicable).  

• Interpret national and provincial legislation, such as UNDRIP, and advise on the most appropriate approach and adoption strategy for BDC. 

• Identify key external stakeholders for BDC to engage, consult and partner with, as part of our reconciliation journey.  

• Provide support on the development of a Human Rights Position Statement and Implementation Plan, specifically in the provision of expertise and guidance on the rights of Indigenous peoples, particularly in line with UNDRIP and/or other provincial or federal legislation and regulations (current or incoming). 

• Provide support to the National Lead on DEI & Social Impact in strategic planning, allocation, and delivery of activities to promote and advance human rights and reconciliation at BDC. 

• Provide support and advice on an as-needed basis, to internal partners such as the Partnerships, HR Talent DEIA and Client Diversity teams on their workstreams to advance representation, strengthen inclusion in the workplace and expand market reach to underserved groups.  

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

• Minimum of ten years of related experience, including organizational leadership, strategy and policy development, and experience leading organizational change within the DEI and human rights field. 

• Experience managing or providing consulting services on human rights, DEI, and/or Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation initiatives in a corporate setting. 

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Human Rights, Indigenous Studies, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Social Science or a related field. Master’s degree or Law degree in Human Rights is an asset. 

Knowledge and Skills 

• Demonstrated understanding of human rights principles and legislation 

• And experience with Truth & Reconciliation in a corporate setting, for example, knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the UNDRIP. 

• Understanding of the complexities of historic obstacles experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

• Knowledge of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, the TRC Final Report and Calls to Action (including Call to Action #92)  

• An ability to develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate corporate strategies that contribute to reconciliation by the business community. 

Soft Skills 

• Strong communication, presentation skills, and influencing skills, with an ability to build strong relationships. 

• Collaboration and ability to be a contributing member of a team. 

• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to collect and analyze data. 

• Strong project management skills. 

• Results oriented and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. 

• Expertise with the Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc) 

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the financial sector an asset. 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills in both official languages (English and French) are an asset. 

#INDHP

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at accessibility@bdc.ca.

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.