In-House Legal Counsel

Job No: 92978
Location: Inuvik, Northwest Territories

  • Receive a highly competitive salary package + additional allowances of $20,000 per year!
  • Live, work, and play in the scenic town of Inuvik - a place of rich diversity.
  • Enjoy a welcoming, supportive and close-knit environment and job security with the Gwich'in Tribal Council!

About the Gwich’in Tribal Council

The GTC is an Indigenous organization that represents Gwich’in Land Claim Participants in the Mackenzie-Delta of the Northwest Territories, Yukon and across Canada. The objectives of the GTC are to oversee important regional issues such as lands administration and resource management, intergovernmental relations, business development, corporate services, and of course, regional wellness. 

The Gwich’in have traditionally used and occupied lands in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon from time immemorial. Today, the Gwich'in are party to a modern land claim agreement, the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA), finalized in 1992.

In implementing the GCLCA and fulfilling its objectives, the GTC works with various wholly-owned organizations such as the Gwich’in Settlement Corporation and the Gwich’in Development Corporation. The GTC also cooperates with community-level Gwich'in organizations under the land claim.

For more info, please visit https://gwichintribal.ca 

About the Town of Inuvik

Whether you are looking for northern arts and culture, remote rivers and wilderness, a chance to see arctic wildlife, a place to do business or just the occasion to relax and enjoy the midnight sun – Inuvik is your destination.

A place of rich diversity, Inuvik is Canada’s largest fresh water delta, close to the Arctic Ocean, with a spectacular view of the Richardson Mountains. Inuvik ("place of people") is the homeland of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in peoples. Inuvik is nestled between the Arctic tundra and the northern boreal forest, and overlooks the incredible maze of lakes and streams of the Delta.

With air and road transportation, access to Inuvik is convenient and offers adventure and great scenery. The Dempster Highway is an unforgettable driving experience that crosses the Arctic Circle and traverses mountain ranges and river crossings.

Inuvik has endless offerings. To learn more about Inuvik, please visit http://www.inuvik.ca or http://spectacularnwt.com

About the Opportunity

Currently, the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) has an exciting full-time opening for a Lawyer (In-House Legal Counsel) in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

In this key role, you will report to the Chief Operating Officer and be responsible for providing a full-range of legal services to the Gwich’in Tribal Council, as well as affiliated Gwich’in organizations from time to time, such as the Gwich’in Development Corporation, the Gwich’in Settlement Corporation and Designated Gwich’in Organizations.

More specifically, you will be: 

  • Providing legal advice and support to GTC and, from time to time, affiliates, including working to ensure that their mandates are carried out in accordance with applicable law and by-laws
  • Providing counsel to the senior management team on a variety of legal topics, which may include areas such as lands and natural resources, governmental affairs, commercial transactions, transboundary issues, Self-Government, and employment law
  • Advising on land claim matters, including land claim interpretation and implementation
  • Providing legal, advisory, regulatory, and transactional assistance
  • Conducting legal research, analysis, and drafting
  • Assisting with GTC Board of Directors corporate governance, including drafting resolutions, training of board members, and maintaining corporate records
  • Fulfilling the role of GTC Corporate Secretary in collaboration with the GTC Chief Operating Officer or as directed
  • Reviewing and advising on legislative and regulatory reforms
  • Advising and coordinating GTC in duty to consult contexts
  • Assisting with negotiations, including dispute resolution such as arbitration, and mediation
  • Representing the GTC in political and technical meetings with government, industry, and communities
  • Providing strategic guidance and advice on law and policy tools to deliver the optimal results for Gwich’in
  • Assisting with capacity building for Gwich’in and GTC staff in relation to the law and legal affairs
  • Providing leadership, guidance, and direction on services delivered by the legal department

In order to apply, you will need the following:

  • Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree (LLB/JD)
  • To be qualified or willing to become qualified to practice law in the Northwest Territories
  • Minimum of three (3) years of legal practice experience
  • Experience and/or demonstrated interest in Indigenous law

To supplement these qualifications, you will join us with duty to consult experience and experience working for an Indigenous Government or in the broader public sector. Past corporate governance experience and/or past supervisory experience will be considered an asset for this role.

Superior interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to thrive in a highly complex environment, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work in a cross-cultural environment will be essential in this role.

You will be ideally suited for this role if you are resilient, open to change, have a strong attention to detail, can understand long-term business goals and objectives, and enjoy the challenge of working on legal matters across a broad range of areas. 

This role involves some travel within the Region (approximately 4 times per year) and also within Canada (approximately 2-4 times per year). A valid Class 5 driver's licence is also required. 

Priority consideration is given to Participants of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.

Please note, for this role a Criminal Record Check will be required. 

Lastly, it would be a definite asset if you have an understanding of the Gwich’in history, culture and political environment.

About the Benefits

In return for your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a highly competitive salary with the ability to earn performance pay. All employees also receive a generous and competitive benefits package, including:

  • Additional allowances of $20,000
  • Health and dental coverage
  • Short and long-term disability
  • Life insurance
  • Generous vacation and leave entitlements 
  • Relocation available for the right candidate

Upon joining our team, you will encounter a close-knit team with a family-oriented team environment. A healthy work-life balance is encouraged, with our regular hours being 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with the added option of working a flexible schedule when you need it. There is also plenty of room and encouragement for professional development initiatives and taking on new responsibilities.

Above all, here at GTC we value our employee's well-being and provide a total of five (5) weeks of paid vacation time. In addition to this, we offer up to a further three (3) weeks of leave for personal reasons that are in line with GTC policies and encourage our team to engage in fully paid days for learning about Gwich’in culture and traditions and community volunteering in ways that align with GTC's mandate. 

The Gwich’in Tribal Council offers a supportive, friendly workplace. If you're looking for a career with an energetic and progressive Indigenous corporation, don’t miss this chance to Apply Now!

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