Legal Counsel

Job Description

Who We Are

Join us at the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), where we support First Nations to strengthen their governance and financial practices. Since our establishment in 2006 under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, we have been dedicated to providing fully optional tools and services tailored to meet the unique needs of First Nations communities.

As an independent organization governed by a Board of Directors, the FMB is committed to fostering self-determination and financial sustainability. Be a part of our mission to support First Nations in achieving their financial goals and enhancing their administrative capabilities.

Why Apply

• Flexible work hours and a 37.5-hour work week
• Annual salary and potential for an annual bonus
• Generous, employer paid extended benefits, including a Registered Pension Plan with matching contributions
• Above average vacation days, wellness days, and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A talented, diverse, and inclusive team doing transformative work on a national scale
• Remote and hybrid work opportunities available

What You Will Do

• Provides input into the FMB's policies, procedures, strategic planning and operations.
• As directed, monitors the Financial Administration Law (FAL) funding budget.
• Explains complex legal concepts, including FAL Standards and Sample FAL, to non-legal audiences.
• Design, implement, and deliver FAL workshops to clients and various partners.
• Conducts internal training on legal policies, processes, procedures, and operational support services.
• Provides expert and strategic legal advice to the Director, IELR to ensure compliance with all legal requirements and procedures of the FMB and First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FMA), Indian Act, modern day treaties, and self-government agreements.
• Anticipates legal issues and assesses legal and operational risks, identifying proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate such risks.
• Provides legal opinions on business line issues as required.
• Remains current on legislation and regulations that may impact business lines and makes recommendations to remain in compliance.
• Under direction from the Director, IELR, negotiates relevant agreements and with third-party contractors and suppliers to ensure delivery of professional and applicable business line services.
• Drafts agreements, contracts, and policies of departmental related documents making recommendations as needed.
• Assists with representation of the FMB in legal consultations involving proposed revisions to the FMA, legislative amendments and adaption regulations.
• Supports General Counsel to negotiate with provincial and territorial governments to establish access to the FMA for Self-Governing and Modern Treaty Nations.
• Collaborates with various Directors to review and recommend changes to various standards, documents, templates, standards, Board documents, and Board approvals.
• Conducts informal and formal reviews of new and updated FALs and responds to inquiries or provides feedback regarding FAL/FAB Standards and templates while providing legal opinions where required using the FMA and Indian Act.
• Liaises directly with clients and/or their legal counsel when needed.
• Collaborates with the IELR Legal Counsel (East) and IELR Paralegal (East) to manage the informal and of FALs and FABs to ensure quality assurance and secondary review and conducted.
• As directed, engages the external Legal Counsel for FAL and FAB reviews as required by Board policy.
• Manages the Paralegal, ensuring that they have tasks delegated, are well trained, supported in their work, and encouraged in their development through positive feedback, coaching, evaluations, and regular feedback.
• Responsible for the filing and reporting in CRM and HPE for client tracking and maintains a registry of reports.

The Legal Counsel performs other duties as assigned.

Who You Are

• Must possess a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD).
• A practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of their province or eligibility to transfer from another Canadian jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a law firm or in-house counsel for a First Nations association, working with Federal Government organizations and representatives, or Indigenous Governments, organizations, and communities
• An understanding, awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture and history.
• Willing to participate in ongoing education and training for the role including Indigenous studies.
• Adaptable and flexible to various competing priorities with high work volumes in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be fluent in English (spoken and written). Additional fluency in French is preferred.

What to Expect

FMB aims to keep the recruitment process as open as possible. As such, candidates can expect the following steps:

• Initial phone screen
• Panel interview with 3 FMB members
• A trait assessment
• Second interview with the Legal team
• References and background check
• Offer

FMB is committed to inclusive practices. As such, please email should you require any accommodations as a candidate or if would like a copy of the full job description.

FMB is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of all First Nations and people across Canada. We are an inclusive organization that treats all employees equally. As a First Nations Organization, applicants of Indigenous descent will be given preference.