Repatriation and Community Liaison 

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POSITION TITLE:     Repatriation and Community Liaison    POSITION NUMBER(S):    115272    DIVISION:    Collections, Knowledge & Engagement        

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Repatriation and Community Liaison is responsible for consulting with First Nations in the development of a proactive repatriation program and researching, assessing and reviewing repatriation requests both in accordance with and outside of the British Columbia Treaty Process.  The Repatriation and Community Liaison facilitates and manages Indigenous consultations by developing the consultation framework and decision making processes, establishing working relationships with First Nation communities, organizing consultation sessions and providing advice. The Repatriation and Community Liaison maintains an inventory of BC First Nation artifacts located outside of their source communities and helps facilitate the transfer of important cultural property from other museums where requested by the source community. 

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES / DELIVERABLES
Consultation
•    Facilitate and/or participate in consultation with First Nations in the development, submission and determination of repatriation requests. Determine protocols that will need to be addressed, ensure protocols are properly managed (ie calling upon local First Nation leader and/or Elder(s); protocol gifting; honourarium or fees).
•    Develop consultation plans and approaches (ie one-to-one meetings, group meetings, community meetings and presentations).  Includes knowledge of local Indigenous protocols as well as the protocols of First Nations throughout the province.
•    Document consultation processes in a legally defensible manner to demonstrate that full First Nations consultation and/or accommodation took place.
•    Develop consultation questions (depending on community and key topics the community wants to address). Coordinate meetings (protocol, location/time, hosting needs, invitations, local transportation, travel, chair, host or emcee meetings) and transcribe and distribute notes and prepare internal briefing materials.
•    Support Indigenous communities as required by reviewing draft agreements and explaining museum policies and programs where requested.
•    Document and summarize consultation decisions and monitor results.
Research
•    In collaboration with departmental colleagues, undertake detailed collections-based research in support of repatriation activities.  
•    Working with colleagues, develop and manage an inventory overview system that can be readily accessed and shared with First Nation communities and the Indigenous Advisory and Advocacy Committee.
•    Correspond with museums in other provinces and countries to provide guidance on the processes the Royal BC Museum is engaged in to address TRC, UNDRIP and commitments to repatriation.
•    Research funding sources to share with communities as part of research planning.
•    Compile and maintain lists of ancestral remains in response to and in support of repatriation activities.
Capacity Building
•    Managed all aspects of grant program: – responding to inquiries about the program, receiving applications, confirming receipt of application, initial screening & review of applications to ensure all necessary documents are included, identify application assessment committee from IAAC, arrange for application review session, chair application review process, document all feedback, transcribe application feedback to provide to applicants, prepare letters of response, prepare budget approval, prepare Briefing Note for Executive Committee and Finance department, prepare cheque requisitions and cover letters, prepare letters for applicants that were not approved, follow up with communities to address any problems or areas of concern (including any minor changes to grant project), prepare and provide helpful templates on project planning, project management and reporting, arrange site visits to provide any other assistance required by applicants.
•    Develop templates to be included in Repatriation Handbook, locate photos for publication, and provide input on edits to other sections of the Handbook.
•    Design and deliver presentations / workshops that enable partners / similarly mandated organizations to understand the scope and meaning of repatriation, and to design policies and procedures that support repatriation.
Administration
•    Establish and maintain an inventory of BC First Nation artefacts located outside of their source communities 
•    Assist First Nations in the repatriation of human remains and the transfer of important cultural property from museums – both domestic and foreign - where requested by the source community.
•    Compile and update metrics on repatriation, including the documentation of visits, consultations and outcomes.
•    Work collaboratively with provincial ministries, educational institutions and other organizations involved in repatriation processes.
•    Prepare routine correspondence, briefing material, and reports.
•    Facilitate financial support for First Nation communities seeking the repatriation of ancestral remains and the transfer of cultural property in accordance with policies and procedures determined by the First Nations Advisory Committee.  
•    Coordinating meetings of the IAAC including recording/documenting minutes, transcribing and summarizing minutes for distribution to committee; contributing feedback on changes to the Indigenous Collections & Repatriation Policy and IAAC Terms of Reference; travel & accommodation arrangements; travel claims; catering; coding and submission of invoices for payment.
•    Preparation of briefing material for IAAC to review and adopt regarding the committee’s interactions with all RBCM departments (i.e., how do departments seek IAAC advice/direction, and how does IAAC formally respond). Also provide an outline of the scope of IAAC’s role / authority.
•    Preparation of Repatriation Process document (first draft) to be reviewed by IAAC and EC, which will outline as much of the step-by-step process required to respond to First Nations’ requests for the repatriation of cultural belongings (objects / artifacts) in the Indigenous Collections at RBCM.
•    Preparation of briefing material to address internal communications between departments and IAAC.
•    Coordinated and oversaw all logistics for gathering of RBCM Repatriation Grant recipients (space booking, catering, agenda development & coordination of presenters, participant travel arrangements, accommodations, participant travel claim forms).
•    Analysis of grant program for first year; preparation of Briefing Note and Options Paper for recommended changes to grant program.  Once reviewed, making applicable changes to the application package.
•    Working with Finance Department to streamline processes and paperwork required for grant program.
•    Establishing internal processes to inform Facilities, Security and any other related department when repatriation activities / ceremonies are taking place. 
•    Compiling information from departmental team to prepare quarterly reports.
Additional Responsibilities
•    Writing articles for What’s inSight Magazine and ICAR Newsletter (i.e., drafting initial copy & coordinating submissions by team members; sourcing photos & permissions; working closely with Marketing designer to finalize copy; ensuring distribution via Outreach activities and mail-out.
•    Responding to media interviews / carry out interviews; 
•    Serve as administrator for Indigenous RBCM Facebook page.
•    Prepare database of all First Nations in BC along with all Indigenous Cultural organizations involved in the processes of repatriation.
•    Identify opportunities for community engagement and outreach, including presentations, information booths, and workshops. 
•    Work with ICAR team to prepare all documents to be shared & shown during outreach visits. Oversee booth, network with public, provide information on repatriation and BC Archives.
•    Transport museum objects on loan (such as the Anisalaga Chilkat Robe and Mungo Martin Dance Screen) to individuals or organizations requesting short-term loans.
•    Review and recommend edits to department Head for ICAR Policy).
•    Review and recommend changes to department Head for RBCM Collections Policy to align more succinctly with ICAR Policy.
•    Develop a step-by-step process for repatriation request (draft process document to be reviewed by IAAC, Executive and CEO).
•    Develop repatriation program plans that flow from the museum’s strategic plan and service plan.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Assist in quarterly reviews of program department budgets; develop quarterly and annual projections; assist in maintaining appropriate digital and hard-copy files with related program department budget documents (i.e., contracts, invoices, receipts, travel pre-approvals and related travel vouchers)
Ensure all expenditures are appropriately documented & coded to applicable RC / ACCT / PROJECT

VALUES – Every employee is expected to demonstrate the following values during the course of their work:
Accountability, Community, Creativity, Diversity, Partnership, Service

 SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates are initially assessed on the Education and Experience criteria. Those who meet these criteria will be invited to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, abilities and behavioural competencies through various assessment methods.

Education:
•    University degree, preferred

Experience:
•    Experience conducting research and analysis
•    Significant experience working with First Nations communities and facilitating First Nations consultations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
•    Knowledge of constitutional and statutory responsibilities associated with First Nations consultation
•    Excellent research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize and cogently present complex and disparate types of information
•    Highly organized, able to work well within deadlines and concurrently execute administrative and research tasks
•    Exhibit exceptional communication skills when working with museum colleagues, museum executive and First Nations representatives
•    Well-developed teamwork and collaboration skills 
•    Computer literacy and skills, both entry and retrieval, with word processing and spreadsheets (Microsoft Office); browsers and internet exploration 

COMPETENCIES
Cultural Agility – is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably and effectively with Aboriginal people.  It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all.  It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a person shift in perspective.

Building a Trust-based Relationship –  requires a fundamental understanding that “relationship” is the foundation from which all activities happen, and that building a good relationship takes time and commitment.  Building a trust-based relationship requires a high level of consciousness of the experience of Aboriginal people and assumes that strengths abound in Aboriginal people, cultures and communities.

Collaborative Planning, Organizing and Coordinating – involves shared planning, establishing priorities jointly, and assigning resources accordingly with sensitivity to competing demands.  It is expressed by building plans together prior to acting, and ensuring that plans and resourcing align with evolving interests and needs.

Open Listening – means listening to and valuing the telling of stories, and letting pauses in conversation extend into silence.  It’s an awareness of personal bias or judgement and its effect on one’s ability to hear.

Details of the accountabilities for this opportunity and the selection criteria which will be used to assess candidate suitability, can be found in the job description for this position, found on our website at: http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/employment

Please submit your application in pdf format by 11:59 pm (PST) December 13, 2020 quoting competition RB2020:14 via email to:  humanresources@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca