Colorado River Basin
Position Title: Contractor for Emerging Tribal Leaders Program
Organization: National Wildlife Federation
Location: Colorado River Basin
Position Overview: They seek a contractor that has a fervent desire to help serve young adults in their journeys towards connecting, learning about, and being a voice for the Colorado River and their Tribal communities. We also desire a contractor who has the experience and commitment to helping young adults acquire professional development skills and knowledge to become the next generation of Tribal and conservation leaders.
Duties: As the Emerging Tribal Leaders Contractor, the primary responsibility will be a collaborative effort with the Tribal Partnerships Program Coordinator to co-develop and deliver a comprehensive leadership development council tailored to the CRIYAC’s emerging leaders. You will be tasked with co- designing, co-implementing, and co-evaluating initiatives aimed at nurturing the potential of Indigenous youth to prepare them for future leadership roles through their active participation with the council. This role requires a proactive and collaborative approach, strong project management skills, and the ability to deliver tangible outcomes within defined timelines. This role is critical to assure consistent leadership and implementation of the CRIYAC as the Tribal Partnerships Program Coordinator anticipates extended maternity leave.
CRIYAC Information and Implementation:
The CRIYAC will be launched and facilitated in three major phases:
Phase 1: CRIYAC Launch
The launch phase will include onboarding for the contractor and is a time designed to allow the contractor to be a part of the formative process of co-developing and initiating the CRIYAC.
Phase 2: CRIYAC Support
This support phase will be during the Tribal Partnership Program Coordinator’s anticipated maternity leave. The contractor will be essentially “holding down the fort” in the coordinator’s absence. This includes leading the council meetings, supporting CRIYAC members and elders, and keeping a record of pertinent details to report to the grant funders.
Phase 3: CRIYAC Co-Leadership
Upon the return of the coordinator from maternity leave, the contractor and the coordinator will work together again to co-facilitate and co-lead the CRIYAC. Conversations about contract renewal can be discussed during this phase.
Contract deliverables for launching and facilitating the CRIYAC include:
LAUNCH
Leadership Development and CRIYAC Design (in collaboration with the Tribal Partnerships
Program Coordinator):
• Co-develop a detailed plan outlining the structure, objectives, and content of the CRIYAC.
o This may include draft agendas of each council meeting
o Create a calendar of events for future planning and meetings
- Define specific learning objectives, competencies, and milestones to guide the development
journey of CRIYAC members.
- Co-design a curriculum that encompasses workshops, training sessions, coaching, mentoring, and
experiential learning opportunities
o This will include at least 5 learning opportunities that must consist of (1) professional
development, (2) Traditional Ecological Knowledge, (3) academic, (4) legislative, and (5)
community experiences pertaining to the Colorado River.
• Develop (in collaboration) at least 4 council meeting agendas and identify specific council
priorities (deliverables and action items). This includes planned learning sessions and activities (education about the Colorado River, etc.)
- Develop at least 4 council meeting agendas, coordinate at least 5 learning opportunities, and identify at least 3 specific council priorities.
- Develop an action plan or roadmap for the CRIYAC (year 2). Contractor will collaborate with NWF staff to create an advocacy strategy campaign that includes the efforts of the CRIYAC.
SUPPORT
Program Implementation:
- Execute the CRIYAC according to the established plan and timeline in the launch phase and in the absence of the Tribal Partnerships Program Coordinator.
- Coordinate logistics, resources, and facilitators to ensure smooth delivery of council components. This will also include the CRIYAC’s critical interaction with the CRTVG
- Monitor participant engagement and satisfaction throughout the program, adjusting as needed to optimize effectiveness
- Keep physical records of council attendance and council meeting minutes and all other council participation at other relevant meetings.
3. Mentoring and Council Engagement:
Coordinate and facilitate mentor-youth relationships to enhance knowledge about the Colorado River, Tribal ecological and cultural priorities, and sovereignty, self-determination, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
- With the Tribal Partnerships Coordinator, provide regular individualized mentoring support (at least 3 check-ins with each member) to CRIYAC members to address specific development needs and goals.
- Conduct regular check-ins and feedback sessions with CRIYAC members and Elders to track progress and provide guidance on leadership competencies.
o The contractor will need to keep notes of interactions to report back the Tribal Partnerships team.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Engage with key stakeholders, including senior leadership (Senior Director, Tribal Partnerships
and Policy) and other relevant parties (CRTVG) to gain support and alignment for the council
- Coordinate and facilitate at least one CRTVG meeting and CRTVG’s ongoing interaction with
the CRIYAC
- Provide regular updates on program progress, outcomes, and achievements to ensure transparency
and accountability.
- Utilize strong communications and digital media skills to communicate consistently with Elders,
CRIYAC members, and Colorado River stakeholders about CRIYAC developments, priorities, and efforts on a regular basis
o Bi-weekly digital media posts, blogs, and other media as well as development of website content
o Contractor will be responsible for providing a short synopsis of each interaction
- Update the CRTVG Toolkit in collaboration with the Tribal Partnerships Program Coordinator.
The contractor would be responsible for delivering the final updated product.
- Plan and facilitate at least three “train-the-trainer” convening per year
- Event coordination and tracking of CRIYAC meetings and CRIYAC attendance at other relevant Colorado River meetings. This also includes the CRIYAC’s critical interaction with the CRTVG
- Event coordination of CRIYAC meetings and CRIYAC attendance at other relevant Colorado River meetings.
CO-LEAD AND REPORT
- Contractor will co-lead and co-facilitate the CRIYAC upon the return of the Tribal Partnerships Program Coordinator
- The contractor will provide comprehensive updates through notes and appropriate measures to re- acquaint the coordinator with the events of the CRIYAC.
- Performance Evaluation and grant reporting:
• Co-establish evaluation criteria for CRIYAC members (survey) and utilize metrics (Catena
Outputs table) to assess the impact and effectiveness of the CRIYAC (Year 1).
- Collect and analyze feedback from participants, stakeholders, and program facilitators to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for refinement.
- With collected notes, prepare a comprehensive report and a presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations for program enhancement.
Application Deadline: EOD April 26, 2024
How to Apply: Along with your proposal, please include a resume(s), bios and any other relevant links for profiles and/or project examples with the request for proposal. Proposals should be sent to Nizhooni St. Paul.