Program Officer

Vision

The Indigenous Prosperity Foundation is a national charitable organization dedicated to supporting underserved Indigenous women, youth, and early-stage entrepreneurs in starting and growing successful businesses. We bring together donors, funders, and granting organizations to partner with Indigenous Financial Institutions and ecosystem partners across Canada. Our mission is to create a thriving and inclusive Indigenous economy, grounded in Indigenous values, where every Indigenous person has the support and resources to fulfill their potential and lift others.

Why IPF?

We provide an attractive compensation package with outstanding benefits, which include:

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, and paramedical services.
• Defined benefits pension plan.
• A supportive work environment that values Indigenous culture.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible scheduling to promote work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off, including:
  • Paid sick leave.
  • Competitive vacation time.
  • Personal days.

Position Summary

The Program Officer will play a key role in implementing and supporting the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation’s (IPF) programs aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial digital access and financial literacy among Indigenous youth.

This position involves delivering engaging and culturally relevant training sessions and workshops, while also establishing relationships with Indigenous communities and stakeholders to promote participation and accessibility. The Program Officer will collaborate with mentors and facilitators to enhance the learning experience, providing the necessary guidance and resources for program participants to confidently navigate training concepts. Additionally, the role includes monitoring program engagement, collecting feedback, and fostering a supportive environment to help build a network of Indigenous youth entrepreneurs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design and Delivery

• Conduct assessments of current business curricula and training materials.
• Collaborate with post-secondary institutions to delivering existing programs and identify new partnership opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the communications department to develop supports and resources for current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Partner with Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) to implement youth based programs.
• Administer the online platform for self-paced learning.

Digital Skills and Development

• Conduct assessments of existing Digital Access and launchpad resources.
• Design and adapt digital skills training workshops for Indigenous youth.
• Distribute and track digital tools (tablets, laptops, etc.).
• Recruit, train and provide ongoing support to facilitators as required.

Funding and Mentorship Opportunities

• Support the delivery and tracking of grants and mentorships within the Launchpad Program.
• Support the recruitment, training and matching of mentors and subject matter experts.

Partnership Development and Engagement

• Establish and maintain relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Metis, community organizations and stakeholders to promote the programs and facilitate access for Indigenous youth.
• Collaborate with external partners and organizations to enhance program offerings and alignment with community needs.

Reporting & Evaluation

• Track participation and outcomes of the programs, providing regular reports on progress for grant funders.
• Collect feedback from participants and stakeholders to continuously improve program delivery and effectiveness.

Other

• Other duties as reasonably required within the scope of the role.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Education, or a related field.
• While a post-secondary degree is preferred, candidates with a combination of relevant experience and education may also be considered.

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a support role for educational or youth-focused initiatives.
• Prior experience working with Indigenous communities and/or organizations is preferred.

Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with external partners.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of Indigenous values and traditions.
• Experience in program delivery and participant engagement.
• Experience working with digital training platforms.

Primary Location: Ottawa, Ontario. IPF operates on a hybrid work model. Remote work arrangements may be considered based on organizational needs and role responsibilities.

Persons of Indigenous ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, section 24 (1)).

The Indigenous Prosperity Foundation (IPF) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interviewing, please advise if you require accommodation.