Location

Toronto/Ignace

Employment Category

Regular Full-Time

Department

Government & External Relations

Job Reference

10435

Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.

External Relations Officer

Fulltime – One (1) Position Available

Position Location: Toronto Head Office – 22 St. Clair Avenue East

or Ignace, Ontario – 304 Main Street

Job Summary:

The External Relations Officer will be responsible for coordinating a dynamic government and external relations team, stakeholder research, analysis, outreach, and engagement activities. Reporting to the Section Manager, External Relations, the External Relations Officer will lead planning and coordination of policy-related initiatives, prepare public presentations, and events, and establish and manage internal and external relationships to facilitate coordination of a comprehensive annual workplan including budget, strategy and communication needs. They will also coordinate meeting requests, communicate policy issues, and capture key issues raised during government meetings. They will conduct policy research to support the annual strategy, evaluate policy implications, make recommendations on policy issues, and develop strategies to address these issues.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director and other team members, manage the organizational coordination of conferences, sponsorships and events; inclusive of identifying opportunities, developing strategies and creating and implementing conference/event plans.
• Support and contribute to policy research and evaluate policy implications. Maintain an awareness of a wide range of corporate needs/issues, including annual and multi-year strategies and produce sound analysis and recommendations.
• Lead the planning and coordination of external stakeholder meetings to ensure consistent, proactive and strategic briefings of the NWMO’s work. This would include complex issues requiring a collaborative approach with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and appropriately resource annual departmental workplans, meetings, organize and prepare meeting materials including internal briefing notes, background materials, PowerPoint presentations and other supporting materials while ensuring communications standards are met. Support executive communications planning, as required.
• Capture key issues raised during government and/or stakeholder meetings and lead departmental compliance with records procedures and standards. Ensure proper records management and expense records reporting in coordination of engagement activities, and in alignment with NWMO policies and procedures.
• Represent the NWMO by participating in government or external relations briefings/meetings/conferences/other key events to build awareness of the NWMO and Canada’s Plan, and any additional NWMO projects (i.e. ILW, SMRs), as required.
• Organize and lead tours that the Government and External Relations team might be leading. This would include advance planning, internal coordination, communication with government officials or stakeholders, and participation in the in-person tours.
• Leverage internal and external relationships to connect the NWMO with key government representatives and external stakeholders, as well as expand existing audiences’ understanding and appreciation of the organization and its mandate, through briefings, representation at events, and conferences.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry, government, stakeholders, and internal contacts to advance NWMO strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic support for the implementation of federal, provincial and municipal election strategies, to ensure that the NWMO is well positioned to mitigate risks, educate candidates, and are attentive to rolling risks
• Coordinate internal departmental procurement, financial, project management, and other administrative processes, including maintaining a robust mailing list for industry, stakeholders, government (federal and provincial, municipal and international) contacts to ensure smooth coordination of the team’s work, as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience; however, those with lesser experience should not hesitate to apply.

• 4 year university degree in in political science or policy studies or an equivalent level of education.

• A minimum of four years’ experience in external affairs, stakeholder/public relations and communications.

• A good understanding of government relations.

• Requires a knowledge of and experience in community development and public engagement.

• Experience planning and coordinating cross-departmental, interjurisdictional government and external meetings, conferences, and events.

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write using a variety of styles.

• Good presentation and verbal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize and manage multiple projects.

• Must be able to effectively apply theoretical and practical technical knowledge and use sound analytical thinking to solve problems.

• Confident and works well under pressure.

• Proficient in the use of standard word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications.

Preferred

The following skills and experience are considered assets:

• Bilingualism (French/English) would be a strong asset.
• Experience or knowledge of regulatory process in Canada.

Other Information

Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.

NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.

Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Office Location – 22 St. Clair Avenue East until their role is required to relocate.

Current employees may continue working from their existing work location/arrangements until their role is required at site.

We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and pension plan.

The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities.

The NWMO is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process. While we sincerely appreciate every expression of interest, only those candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted directly.