Our Approach

Education in Canada is a success story. Study after study shows that our public schools are among the best in the world. But high overall quality masks deep inequality. Only 48 percent of First Nations youth living on reserve have a high school diploma. In the North, those numbers are even lower. And, too often, teachers arrive in northern First Nations without the preparation and support they need to succeed—and stay—in the classroom. The twin challenges of teacher supply and turnover compound historical injustice and systemic inequities to produce a statistical education gap between First Nations and non-First Nations communities.

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada is a non-profit organization that works with northern First Nations to recruit, prepare, and support committed teachers who will increase student outcomes in the North. This model has been defined by First Nations community partners, our Circle of Advisors, our Board of Directors, and experienced northern educators.

Our Culture

Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada has a supportive work culture and offers a variety of benefits to its team members, including 4 weeks of annual vacation that increases with tenure, access to mental wellness supports, flexible hours, and team-wide professional development opportunities. In addition to these perks and benefits, Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada also honours National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as statutory holidays, and the last week of every calendar year is paid time off too!

Your Responsibilities

The Vice President of Programs has overall strategic and operational responsibility for all program areas.

Program management

• Manage and support Teacher Recruitment, Teacher Development, Community Engagement, and Education Pathways departments to ensure departmental and organisational outcomes are met, programs are reviewed and their effectiveness is improved, and coordination occurs across programs to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
• Develop and streamline cross-departmental program-related policies and operational practices.
• Support decision making and response in complex situations that emerge with Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada educators, applicants, and First Nation partners.
• Lead and project-manage all engagement with Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada alumni who have completed 2+ years of teaching in the north.
• Monitor and track program budgets to ensure that programs are fiscally responsible.

Internal strategy

• Ensure effective implementation, review, and planning for new program areas that are being developed for the next five years with Teacher Recruitment, Teacher Development, Community Engagement, and Education Pathways teams.
• Lead development of Endaayan, Gakino’amaage’s community-based teacher certification program, alongside First Nation and post-secondary partners.
• Support the President’s decision-making and planning regarding Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada’s expansion into new jurisdictions.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the President and Board of Directors, including by attending all meetings of the Board of Directors.

External relationships and partnerships

• Represent Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada and present our work at forums, meetings, and conferences that are relevant to our focus areas, especially northern First Nations education.
• Build relationships and partnerships with external organisations that can support or inform Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada’s work, as it relates to our programs (e.g. peer organisations, Deans of Education, Indigenous governance bodies, etc.).

Leadership

• Align team members around a shared compelling vision.
• Serve as the internal culture ambassador and help maintain a healthy workplace culture.
• Serve as a spokesperson on media interactions as needed.
• Meet with current and potential donors as needed.
• Integrate diversity and inclusion strategies into annual and strategic plans.
• Manage and coach the Director of Teacher Recruitment, Director of Teacher Development, Director of Community Engagement., and Director of Education Pathways to support and advance the goals of the department and the organization.

Your Fit

• You are respectful of Indigenous cultures and histories: You have a deep respect for the histories, cultures, and goals of Indigenous communities in Canada, particularly those of First Nations.
• You are a builder: You are a multi-talented go-getter who has unbridled ambition to create things: policies, structures, multi-year strategies, and more.
• You are resilient: You thrive in a fast-moving environment and have a high tolerance for change and ability to adapt.
• You are a people person: You build relationships easily and you enjoy spending time with people. You empathize easily and are calm under stress.
• You are results focused: You enjoy setting goals and being held accountable for goals. You believe if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right—every single time.
• You are a skilled communicator: Your verbal and written skills are impeccable; you can speak about complex situations clearly and compellingly.
• You are an internal workplace ambassador: You know how to foster and maintain a happy, healthy workplace and team.

Application Process

To begin your application, please submit your resume and cover letter. The hiring process includes the following stages:

• Virtual Introductory Interview
• Pre-interview Task
• Two-part Virtual Interview
• In-person Meeting
• Reference Check

Equity, Accessibility

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. As an organization that works with First Nations, we value Indigenous perspectives in the workplace and strongly encourage Indigenous candidates to apply.

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the hiring process.

Indigenous Integrity

Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada is committed to increasing the representation of First Nations team members across all roles in the organization. We encourage First Nations candidates to self-identify in their application. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential.

This information supports our efforts to hire First Nations candidates, particularly from the Nations and treaty territories we serve, whenever possible, and to provide meaningful support throughout the recruitment process.

We are also committed to upholding the integrity of Indigenous claims of identity. If you self-identify as Indigenous and are the successful candidate, you will be asked to provide substantiating documentation.

Job term: Full-Time Permanent (40-44 hours/week)

Desired Experience:

• 5+ years of experience leading and managing cross functional teams with demonstrated skill in cultivating a high-performance team
• 5+ years of experience in program development, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation
• Experience in education and/or working with Indigenous communities or organizations 
• Experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and reporting 

Background Check Requirement

This position involves visiting schools and working with children, and as such, the successful candidate will be required to apply for and obtain a Police records Check for the vulnerable sector.