Program Manager

Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq

Capacity Development Department

Job Description

Position Title: Project Manager (Regional Data Centre)

Supervisor: Governance Manager

• Location: Membertou or Cole Harbour Office (other work locations considered)
• Employment Term: Full-Time (Two Year with Possibility of Extension)

Scope of Position

• Reporting to the Governance Manager, the Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq (UNSM)
• is seeking a skilled and culturally grounded Project Manager to lead the Regional Data
• Centre project.
• This Regional Data Centre will serve as a vital hub for data sovereignty, self-
• determination, and the preservation of Mi'kmaq knowledge, culture, and governance. It
• will provide secure, reliable, and culturally appropriate data storage, management, and
• analytical capabilities for Mi'kmaq communities and organizations across the region. This
• initiative is foundational to empowering Mi'kmaq control over their information and
• supporting evidence-based decision-making for future generations.
• The Project Manager will lead the planning, development, and implementation of the
• Regional Data Centre, supporting Mi'kmaq data sovereignty and information governance
• initiatives across Nova Scotia. The Project Manager will oversee project planning,
• stakeholder engagement, governance processes, procurement, budgets, risk
• management, and contractor coordination while ensuring alignment with OCAP®
• principles and community priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• . Guide and support the development of a Regional Data Centre on behalf of the
• Mi’kmaq communities and organizations of Nova Scotia;

• Advance data governance practices which are reflective of community values,

support informed decision-making, and uphold Indigenous data sovereignty;

• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of the

data centre infrastructure;

• Translate strategic objectives into actionable project plans:
• Develop and manage the project plans, timelines, and deliverables;
• Ensure the proper project governance structures are in place to effectively engage

with a variety of stakeholders including committees such as the Regional Data

Centre Steering and Advisory Committees;

• Ensure the proper administration of the associated Committees including but not

• limited to, coordination and facilitation of meetings, documentation, reporting,
• and presentations;

• Manage project budgets, funding agreements and procurement processes;
• Responsible for coordinating project resources and provide functional oversight to

• contractors, consultants, subject matter experts and technical specialists required for
• the project.

• Identify project risks (including cybersecurity), develop mitigation strategies and

employ best practices;

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and Indigenous data governance

frameworks (e.g., OCAP®);

• Provide regular updates and reports to the Manager of Data Governance and project

stakeholders; and

• When required, participate in activities such as training, conferences and meetings.

Qualifications

• -Post-secondary education in relevant field (business/public administration,
• governance, project management, information technology) or equivalent
• work experience;
• -Five plus years of relevant work experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder
• projects, preferably in Indigenous or public sector contexts;
• -Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), iOS hardware and software,

Gmail, and Calendar;

• -Strong understanding of Indigenous data sovereignty and digital infrastructure;
• -Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills;

• Maintains confidentiality and builds trust through ethical conduct;

• -PMP or PRINCE2 certification is an asset;
• -Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana, or similar) is
• an asset;
• -Ability to speak and/or understand the Mi’kmaw language is an asset;
• -Travel within and outside of Province is required therefore a valid driver’s license and
• access to a reliable vehicle are essential.
• Please note that the duties outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and other
• duties may be required.

Cultural Safety and Respectful Engagement

• The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to culturally safe, respectful,
• and inclusive practices that reflect Mi'kmaw values, perspectives, and ways of knowing.
• They will foster positive relationships, communicate respectfully, and contribute to a
• workplace environment grounded in cultural humility, reconciliation, and continuous leaning
• Closing September 11