PolicyJobs OTT #6
Welcome to this week’s edition of PolicyJobsOTT. Between the Met Gala and the conclave, it's a big week for ritual, robes, and attracting global attention.
From our desks: we’ve updated our tariff tracker. Check it out here for the latest.🤓
read, listen, watch
Searching for answers 🔎🖥️
This story on the growing dependence on AI by university students (including a Laurier U mention) 🎒🧑🎓
The opposite of ChatGPT? This student-operated call-in centre at Alabama University where students answer inbound queries from the public via landline 📞🧓
It’s not just you, Google is bad 💻💔
If you could read my mind 💭💡
PM Carney went to Washington this week and put on a facial tour de force 🍁🏛️
The first man with Neuralink’s brain chip plays online chess🧠
A young Jane Fonda! A young Carole Burnett! Laugh like your grandma with these old episodes of Password 📺
Gordon Lightfoot but make it dance 🪩🎶
the jobs
1. Policy Analyst — Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) (2 positions)
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is seeking two policy analysts.
The Policy Analyst (Environment) will focus on broad environmental governance through an Indigenous rights-based approach. The Policy Analyst leads research and policy analysis on interconnected environmental issues—like biodiversity, water, and pollution—and supports CAP’s engagement with government, affiliates, and external partners. Key responsibilities include advancing nexus-based policy approaches, preparing legislative briefs, and contributing to CAP’s Environmental Justice Strategy and communications. 🌿📑🌎
The Policy Analyst (Climate Engagement) centers specifically on climate change policy and Indigenous knowledge systems. The Policy Analyst supports CAP’s climate literacy efforts, facilitates the inclusion of traditional knowledge in federal decision-making, and tracks emerging trends in climate science and governance. This role emphasizes knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and strategic input into climate mitigation and adaptation policies. Responsibilities include knowledge-sharing with affiliates, drafting policy briefs, supporting climate literacy, and contributing to public communication and funding proposals. 🌎🧠📣
2. Advisor, Government Relations — Export Development Canada (EDC) (2 positions)
Export Development Canada is seeking two Advisors (one full-time, one 12-month contract) to join its Government Relations team in Ottawa. These roles involve supporting EDC’s engagement with government and Parliament by advising on policy developments, managing stakeholder relationships, and contributing to strategic issues management. Advisors will analyze legislative and regulatory changes relevant to Canadian trade, brief senior leaders and elected officials, and support executive outreach on priority files. 🚢🏛️📈
3. Policy and Research Manager — National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
The NAFC is hiring a Policy and Research Manager to lead its national urban Indigenous policy agenda and research activities. Based in Ottawa and reporting directly to the CEO, this senior role oversees a team of ten and directs research and policy development across broad focus areas including urban Indigenous governance, social and economic equity, health and well-being, justice and human rights, and environment and sustainability. 🏙️📊🧡
4. Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy — Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
The Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Public Policy will lead CBIE’s efforts in the area of government relations and public policy to represent and advance the interests of the organization and its member institutions to federal and provincial/territorial governments and other key sector stakeholders. The Senior Advisor will provide leadership on CBIE’s efforts related to national and provincial advocacy campaigns, media opportunities, the annual Federal Budget process, key governmental consultative processes. They will also shape targeted advocacy events, including leveraging CBIE’s Annual Conference and regional meetings, and support in drafting and disseminating briefs and other policy-related assets. 🏫🎒
5. Senior Research Associate, Sustainability — The Conference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Sustainability team to research topics such as disaster recovery, climate adaptation, community resilience, and/or emergency management. The Senior Research Associate will lead research projects utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies as well as conceptualize new research ideas, methodologies and strategies to maximize research impact. They will also lead content development, stakeholder relations, speaker identification, sponsorship outreach, and event delivery for sustainability-related leadership roundtables and convenings. 🌱☀️🌊
6. Government Relations, Lead — Interac Corp.
The Government Relations Lead (Federal) will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to engage with federal government officials and agencies, advocating for Interac's interests, and building effective relationships to advance Interac’s corporate strategic objectives. They will prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations for meetings with government representatives as well as identify strategies to enhance Interac's visibility and engagement with key federal government audiences. They will also deliver regular briefings on federal government activities and analyze federal government policies, legislation, and regulations that impact Interac. 💳🏧💲
7. Chief of Staff — Councillor’s Office, City of Ottawa
Reporting directly to the City Councillor, the Chief of Staff leads all aspects of office operations, strategy, and staff management for a high-profile political office. This senior role is responsible for setting priorities, supervising staff, overseeing policy development, managing casework systems, and ensuring alignment with the Councillor’s mandate. The Chief of Staff represents the Councillor in internal and external forums, provides leadership on key files and political issues, and serves as the primary liaison between the office and City officials, residents, and stakeholders. 🏛️👩💻🏙️
Eds. No, the posting does not say which Councillor. Yes, we understand that would be relevant to prospective applicants.
8. Director of Policy — Assembly of First Nations
The Director of Policy will oversee the development, analysis, and implementation of policies that align with the strategic priorities of the AFN Secretariat. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Policy will be responsible for leading policy initiatives that support AFN’s advocacy efforts and broader goals. This role involves working closely with senior directors, policy sectors, the National Chief’s Office (NCO) and key collaborators to elevate AFN’s influence on First Nations issues at the national level. 📑✏️🧡
9. Special Assistant — Office of the Honourable Senator Marty Klyne
The Special Assistant will report directly to the Senator and work closely with his team to manage the daily executive and administrative functions of the office. Key responsibilities include managing the Senator’s inbox and calendar, and coordinating travel logistics. The Special Assistant will preparing briefing materials, formal communications, and official documents while also supporting public outreach and communications, including social media, press releases, and policy research. 🏛️📅💻
10. Summer Public Affairs Officer — First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB)
Through the Canadian Summer Jobs program, FMB is hiring a Summer Public Affairs Officer for temporary position supporting government relations, communications and events. Key responsibilities may include tracking media and government activity, preparing reports and presentations, and supporting engagement. The role may also involve contributing to communications campaigns, social media content, and event coordination. ☀️📣📜
Eds: This position is a summer contract, for eight weeks, ideal for a current student or recent graduate.
11. Head of Government Affairs - Canada — Fortinet
Fortinet is hiring a Head of Government Affairs – Canada to lead its public affairs and advocacy strategy across federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Reporting to the VP, Corporate & Government Affairs, the role focuses on advancing Fortinet’s cybersecurity policy priorities, public sector engagement, and strategic relationship-building. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining relationships with key officials, supporting cybersecurity policy engagement, and ensuring advocacy efforts align with business goals. 📡🏛️🔐