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.

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.

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.

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.