Principal Consultant, Social Performance and Stakeholder/Indigenous Engagement (Principal Level)

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant to join our Canadian team with a focus on indigenous engagement and stakeholder engagement, including consultation and engagement to support Canadian regulatory requirements and international best practice standards.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of planning, developing and implementing multi-dimensional stakeholder engagement programs (virtually and in person) and participatory/ collaborative processes. They will provide technical leadership at a senior level and manage project delivery/teams. They will be responsive and adaptable to rapidly evolving legal, regulatory and social expectations to advise clients, support timely approvals, and effectively manage social risks.

This is a full-time, permanent position. ERM is a leading global consultancy for social performance. In Canada, our Social Performance team includes more than 40 dedicated consultants working supporting a variety of sectors and clients through services related to social impact, human rights, stakeholder engagement, sociopolitical risk, and DE&I.

Responsibilities

Subject matter expertise:

• Provide technical expertise and leadership for a variety of projects related to mining, oil and gas, power, renewables, and other sectors. Projects may relate to stakeholder and Indigenous engagement, including planning, strategy, program development, implementation/management, monitoring, and reporting.
• Design, develop, lead and/or participate in participatory/collaborative processes with Indigenous groups, including co-design of engagement processes, facilitation, and capacity building.
• Provide strategic and risk management advice to clients and internal stakeholders regarding sensitive and evolving topics (including Indigenous agreements and negotiations, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), reconciliation, etc.), supported by background research and professional experience.
• Work effectively and respectfully with clients and project teams to address stakeholder/ Indigenous concerns, find alignment, build consensus, and respond to issues.
• Deliver in-person and virtual outreach programs (i.e., event planning, facilitating workshops, one-on-one meetings, interviews, open houses, etc.) to engage stakeholders, disseminate project information, respond to grievances and stakeholder feedback, and provide updates on regulatory activities and public participation opportunities.
• Ensure the completion of substantive and accurate regulatory filing documentation for the areas of stakeholder and Indigenous engagement programs, in compliance with Federal, Provincial and local regulatory requirements.

Team and business responsibilities:

• Lead and/or support other team members in other social performance scopes of work including baseline research, social impact assessment, traditional knowledge/land use studies, social risk analysis, management plans, and other tasks.
• Mentor junior- and mid-level consulting staff to support development of their skill sets including technical skills, project experience, and general consulting and decision-making skills.
• Contribute to proposals and business development, including development of technical scopes and cost estimates in accordance with ERM’s policies and processes.
• Build relationships with clients to support new and repeat business.
• Work with other global ERM resources to deepen relationships with ERM key clients to expand ERM’s profile and market share through a combination of excellence in technical delivery and business development support.
• Comply with ERM’s operational policies and protocols.

Qualifications and Desired Skills

Technical Skills/Experience

• Experience leading the planning and implementation of engagement to support extractives industries, capital projects and permitting/regulatory processes in Canada.
• Experience advising clients on requirements and best practices for engagement, with the aim of managing social risk and supporting local benefits.
• Proven ability to draw on different engagement tools/processes, with varying levels of participation, to drive desired engagement outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous peoples in Canada, and with clients on Indigenous-related issues, including creative and innovative approaches tailored to project-specific needs.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations, trainings, and leading discussions with small and large groups of diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to translate technical content (science, engineering, etc.) into accessible communications materials is an asset.
• Experience designing and implementing social media campaigns, communications, and/or monitoring programs is an asset.
• Facilitation experience is an asset.
• Thorough understanding of, and experience applying, relevant international standards and guidelines including IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, UNDRIP, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and industry-specific guidance (e.g., ICMM, TSM, IPIECA) is an asset.
• Experience developing proposals, budgets, and workplans is an asset.

Consulting Skills/Experience

• Versatile, responsive, and results-oriented, with strong critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and technical writing skills, with a keen attention to detail and understanding of how to frame deliverables to suit the specific need/audience.
• Proven ability to organize, prioritize and complete deadline-driven tasks; be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and deadlines; work closely with clients, team members, and other stakeholders; and maintain flexibility and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Business acumen to understand/communicate business risk and challenges and recognize commercial opportunities.
• Commitment to working with a diverse team including mentorship and/or line management of more junior staff.
• Commitment to safety and following established health and safety protocols.
• Project management skills/experience is an asset.
• Willing and able to travel domestically (and, if required, internationally) is preferred.

General

• Post-secondary degree in Indigenous studies, communications, international development, geography, public health, economics, social science, law, public policy, political science, resource management, anthropology or similar. Masters degree (or higher) is an asset.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience including demonstrated ability to lead discrete scopes of work; manage teams and budgets; and provide technical guidance, oversight, and quality control. Experience in a consulting role is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Fluency in English is required. Working ability (speaking and writing) in other languages, especially French or Spanish, is an asset.  

When applying please submit cover letter and include responses to the following questions (required): max 400 words each

1. What would you say is the most interesting emerging social issue related to resource development (or other major capital projects) in Canada? How are you, or would you like to, support clients around this issue?

2. What are your priorities when embarking on a new project or client relationship?

For the Principal Consultant, Social Performance and Stakeholder/Indigenous Engagement position, we anticipate the annual base pay of $112,670 – $133,631 CAD.  An employee’s pay position within this range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs.  We also may have instances where compensation may be outside of the range, based on the factors noted above.  This job is also eligible for an annual discretionary based performance bonus.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, paid parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability and AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and any other benefits to eligible employees as applicable.

You can apply for this role through https://www.erm.com/careers/apply/ or through the internal careers portal if you are a current employee.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. 

ERM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

ERM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.