Indigenous Relations Advisor IV

High-Level Description

• This provisioned contractor role implements strategic engagement with Tribal Nations and citizens for Major Projects and Operations in the Midwest Region, primarily in Minnesota. Tribal Nations and citizens include, but is not limited to, elected leadership, Tribal citizens, influential Tribal business leaders, Tribal emergency responders, and non-government organizations. This engagement is consistent with the principles contained in Enbridges Indigenous Peoples Policy.
• Maintain, cultivate and document relationships and engagement activities with key influential leadership within Indigenous communities. Must have a basic understanding of our business, issues, risks and opportunities associated with respective communities, organizations and Tribal communities.
• Inform team of Tribal and stakeholder concerns and critical activities. Accountable for contributing to or leading the development, implementation and modification of regional engagement plans, major project engagement plans and related budgets.

Specific Accountabilities

• Oversee, hold and cultivate relationships with key influential leaders and work with internal partners within and outside Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability (PACS) (e.g. Supply Chain Management) to develop innovative engagement strategies, approaches and tools to maximize efficiencies and minimize risk related to US Tribal Engagement.
• Responsible for providing the awareness and guidance to the team and company on Tribal cultural protocols, norms and politics to ensure the company respectfully engages with Tribal communities, builds positive relationships, meets regulatory engagement requirements and effectively manage the related risk.
• Assist stakeholder engagement in the field with individuals, communities, Tribal groups and local governments and organizations in support of business goals and project objectives, working cooperatively with internal functions such as Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Business Development, and Operations.
• Assist and support with development and implementation of specific engagement plans, including project specific engagement plans and Regional Engagement Plans, strategies, talking points for media spokesperson and related budgets that reflect the interests of both the Company and the potentially affected stakeholder/Indigenous groups. Meet regulatory requirements and build, maintain and enhance Enbridge's reputation as a trusted corporate citizen.
• Support the development of regulatory strategy and participate in formal regulatory process. Contribute to regional engagement knowledge in support of Corporate Community Investment policies and governance.
• Provide timely advice and counsel to Enbridge management and staff and business teams with respect to Tribal Engagement, including cultural awareness, consultation, relationships and partnership opportunities, negotiations, issue management, risk and opportunity assessments. This includes bringing the voice (interests and perspectives) of the communities into the Company for appropriate and timely consideration.
• Contribute regional knowledge and policies into Business Development to ensure consideration of local and regional stakeholder risks and opportunities.
• Work with Public Awareness team to identify opportunities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of supplemental stakeholder outreach and other activities within the Public Awareness Program.
• Where applicable, consistent with Company guidelines, and in concert with the business units and Company departments such as Law, Operations, Regulatory, EHS and other departments within PACS, assist with the development of Protocol and Engagement Agreements, Letters of Intent and project agreements, etc., that support Tribal relationship building and communication, capacity building, and key stakeholder and Tribal training and education, contracting and hiring that will strategically advance business objectives.
• Where applicable, working with the Sustainable Supply Chain Management team, identify opportunities in conjunction with project teams or Operations regarding Indigenous content on Company's projects or operations. This includes providing insight into community dynamics, capacity and politics, identifying potential local impacts and regional Indigenous participation opportunities and benefits (e.g. educational, skills development, employment, and business opportunity initiatives).
• Provide expertise and consultation to industry trade associations through participation on advisory panels and working groups.
• Contribute to functional area or project budget(s) and other resources with a view to cost effectiveness and ensuring appropriate controls.
• Establish and maintain well-organized record of contact and in the relationship management database.
• Maintain professional and individual development.
• May support the crisis communications & response team (CCRT) during operational incidents or emergencies and non-operational events such as a reputational crisis. If identified as a member of the CCRT, training will be provided.

Scope/Dimensions

• Directly impacts Company reputation and our social license to operate.
• Regulatory risk impacts to projects and operations and resulting regulatory timelines and cost implications.
• Impacts project budgets and timelines.
• Directly impacts relationships and social/public affairs risk in area of responsibility (name region) and has indirect impact to reputation more generally in dealings with key stakeholders and Indigenous peoples.

Contacts (Working Relationships)

• Interaction: Directors and Managers within Public Affairs, Operations, Business Development, Regulatory, EHS, Law, Security, Regional Leadership, Enbridge senior management, senior external stakeholders among communities, associations, etc.
• Supervision of external consultants and contractors.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge:

• University degree from a related post-secondary program.
• Knowledge in the energy industry / energy transportation infrastructure sector is helpful.
• Knowledge of and direct experience engaging with Tribal communities, including on US Tribal history and rights, on cultural protocols and norms, on Tribal politics and the ability to successfully engage with Tribal people.
• Familiarity with applicable government and regulatory requirements, as well as present day issues and community dynamics.
• Experience in and understanding of a large, public company with operations in multiple regions.

Technical Skills:

• Specific experience in cross-cultural stakeholder/Indigenous and community engagement.
• Knowledge of community development practices and organizational effectiveness strategies.
• Ability to interact effectively and establish credibility with a wide audience including Tribal leaders and community representatives, field and corporate staff, external stakeholder groups, partners and contractors.
• Solid written and verbal communication, presentation and organizational abilities.
• Sense of urgency, with well-developed prioritization, time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong research skills in subject matter field.

Social Process (People) Skills:

• Team-oriented attitude and the ability to work independently.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, internal and external.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including consultation, negotiation, facilitation, risk communication and conflict resolution.
• Passionate about and experienced in community development.

Working Conditions

• Office environment
• Frequent travel
• Attends after-hours Indigenous and community events on business time throughout the year