Title: Aquaculture Development Officer

Employment Type: Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week, M-F, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Remote, Hybrid, In-Office, or a combination of all, with inter-provincial travel as required and authorized in advance.

We are an Indigenous-owned organization that delivers business financing and regional economic development services to First Nation communities and businesses throughout North-Eastern Ontario.

We are part of the network of Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario and Indigenous Financial Institutions in Canada. The organization also administers the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI) and Aquaculture Program across central Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and some of Quebec).

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Aquaculture Development Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong background in business development and aquaculture to make a meaningful impact on the aquaculture industry.

Responsibilities

• Assess, identify, and develop opportunities applicable to the community’s interests and needs.
• Assist with planning, feasibility analysis, and preparation of business opportunity development plans, proposals, and applications.
• Develop plans, milestones, and schedules for evaluation; conduct evaluations and prepare written reports on results.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and advisory support service, such as:
  • coordinating training
  • developing business management policies, procedures, and plans
  • sharing research information, websites, and reading materials
  • detecting government programs to support or enhance business management and operational practices
  • identifying new innovations or approaches for development
  • discovering sources of financing
• Work closely with First Nation Economic Development Officers, Community Committees, representatives of funding sources, relevant government networks, aquaculture industry contacts, and researchers to keep current, comply with regulations, provide information, meet the needs of the communities, and support the aquaculture business planning process.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in aquaculture, fisheries, science, business, or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• Extensive background and experience in the technical and business aspects of aquaculture with an in-depth understanding of the issues and challenges facing the sector.
• Experience collaborating with Indigenous communities, individuals, small businesses, and organizations.
• Familiar with Indigenous governance approaches, and government policy processes.
• Ability to think strategically, analyze trends, and identify business opportunities.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a strong drive to succeed.
• Must have a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office and other relevant software applications.
• Must have a valid G driver’s license and a clean driver’s abstract.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless medically exempt.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience working in a professional role, such as a consultant, governmental advisor, or in a not- for-profit leadership role.
• Bi-lingual or tri-lingual – English, an Indigenous Language from the service area, and or French.
• Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants with the required qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities.