Join Our Team

Project Director
Flexible 2023 start date
Based in Yellowknife, NT with land-based travel opportunities
1-year fixed term contract with potential for renewal
Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
$80,000 – $97,500 (dependent on experience) + comprehensive benefits
15 days vacation and 10 days paid sick leave annually

Northern Youth Leadership (NYL) is a project on MakeWay Charitable Society’s shared platform. NYL brings together youth from across the Northwest Territories (NWT) and Inuit Nunangat for remote land-based programming to develop leadership skills, life skills, emotional resilience and to engage in positive risk-taking. NYL camps and programming are free for all participants as NYL covers all camp-related costs including return airfare from participant’s home community.

Position Overview

NYL is seeking a candidate with extensive experience in grant writing, non-profit management, and working with youth for the position of Project Director. The ideal candidate would be as comfortable working in an office managing day to day fiscal and organizational operations as they are spending a week or longer out on the land facilitating programming with youth.

The Project Director reports to a committed group of volunteer Steering Committee members and works closely with and is supported by the MakeWay Charitable Society team to successfully implement and maintain operating, financial and administrative systems, and policies and procedures. Given the nature of the role, particularly during camp operations, at times this position requires additional working hours that cannot be foreseen or formally outlined. This position may be required to work evenings and weekends during the summer months.

Key Responsibility Areas:

1. Project Management and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership for the planning and mobilization of NYL land-based programming including day-to-day operations and program monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure the financial health of the project by implementing a fundraising strategy to secure a strong, diversified and sustainable funding base through grant writing and funder stewardship.
• Prepare annual budget and budget updates for Steering Committee and MakeWay approval.
• Financial management including submission of expenses and invoices, review of financial reports and ensuring accurate documentation in line with MakeWay policy and procedures.
• Develop and nurture positive working relationships with key stakeholders including program participants, parents, staff, volunteers, partners, community agencies, and service providers.
• Ensure compliance with all grant agreements and all policies and procedures of MakeWay.
• Organize and implement full cycle human resource process with employees, contractors, and volunteers in accordance with MakeWay human resources guidelines, including: recruitment, orientation, training and development, and performance management.
• Facilitate access and connect youth with resources at the community, territorial, and national level, assist with systems navigation and advocate for youth.
• Represent NYL, with responsibility for implementing effective branding, social media, media relations, and partnerships.

2. Land-Based Program Implementation

• Direct and oversee program preparation, liaising with participant guardians and Indigenous Knowledge Holders and updating risk management documentation.
• Supervise youth and deliver camp activities during remote wilderness programming.
• Connect and engage with Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Holders.
• Demonstrate and instruct physical activities including hiking, paddling, and swimming.
• Assess and manage all risks while on camp.
• Responsible for the health, safety and well-being of all camp participants and staff.
• Understand and implement NYL policies and procedures and follow all safety guidelines.
• Management, maintenance, and organization of NYL assets (e.g., camping gear, satellite phones, etc.).

We recognize that not everyone will meet every requirement for this position, however, if you are excited about this position and possess experience that you feel would make you a strong candidate we encourage you to apply and highlight what makes you a good fit for this role.

Preferred Education, Certifications and Professional Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience managing non-profit projects with annual budgets of at least $300,000.
• 3-5 years’ experience with grant writing and donor stewardship leading to annual revenue generation of at least $300,000.
• 3-5 years’ experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working in remote, northern, and/or Indigenous communities.
• Undergraduate degree in non-profit management, social work, child and youth care, outdoor education, other related fields or equivalent experience.
• Supervisory and/or managerial experience and performance management.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification.
• Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Instructor Tandem Certification, Paddle Canada Canoe Tripping and/or Instructor Tandem and Solo Certification is an asset.
• Mental Health First Aid and/or ASIST is an asset.

Preferred Land-Based Skills and Attributes

• Experience with planning, logistics, and camp preparation of extended remote wilderness trips.
• Supervise and manage attendees in a wilderness setting using skills such as risk management, decision-making, leadership, and team building.
• Ability to spend days or weeks on the land under unfavourable weather conditions.
• Physical ability to lead and participate in all camp activities which include, but are not limited to: extended outdoor adventure trips, full day hikes, and multi-day portage canoeing trips.
• Must be capable of lifting/carrying reasonably heavy loads up to 50lbs.
• Ability to lead by example and maintain a positive attitude and work ethic during camp days that can exceed 12 hours.

Preferred Program Coordination Skills & Attributes

• Passion for working with youth in land-based contexts.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and efficient, with strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet applications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team during busy seasonal conditions.
• Willingness to learn and ability to follow direction and implement structure.
• Strong networking skills and ability to interact tactfully, respectfully, and non-judgmentally.
• Strong collaborative leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to act as a positive role model and mentor to youth.
• Ability to manage crisis and adverse situations with staff, youth, and families.

What we offer

• 1-year fixed term contract with the annual possibility of renewal dependent on funding and performance.
• Starting salary of $80,000 – $97,500 (depending on experience) plus a comprehensive benefits package.
• Ten days of personal/sick leave and fifteen days of vacation leave annually.
• Accrual of banked time at a rate of 1:1 during operational seasons.
• Opportunities for professional development and on the land training.
• Workplace flexibility. This position is strongly preferred to be based from NYL’s Yellowknife office with the opportunity to work from home during non-operational times of the year. For the right candidate this position could be based in another NWT community, however the incumbent will be required to be in Yellowknife during operational times of the year and would be responsible for any costs associated with residing in Yellowknife during those times.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record and vulnerable sector check prior to the start of employment.

How to Apply

Please email your cover letter (1 page maximum), resume (3 page maximum), and LinkedIn profile link (if applicable) to [email protected] with “Application for Project Director” in the subject line.

In your cover letter, please include responses to the following questions:

1. How did you hear about this position?
2. What interests you most about this position?
3. Briefly tell us how your skills and experiences are a good fit for this position.
4. Briefly tell us about your current/most recent job.  Why are you looking for a change?

For more information about Northern Youth Leadership and MakeWay Charitable Society, we encourage you to visit www.northernyouth.ca and www.makeway.org

Indigenous and Northern applicants will be given priority consideration.
For a more detailed job description or to ask questions, please email [email protected]

As Northern Youth Leadership is a project of MakeWay Charitable Society, the selected candidate will be an employee of MakeWay. MakeWay is strongly committed to creating a diverse workplace environment and we welcome and encourage applications from the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. MakeWay will provide accommodation during all steps of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with differing abilities. Please advise us if you need any accommodation.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Our sincere appreciation to all those expressing interest in the position,
however only short-listed applicants will be contacted.