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Program Manager, Gladue Pathways

Full Time Term Position - March 31, 2031

Location: Winnipeg or Thompson, Manitoba

Under the supervision of the Director, First Nations Justice Strategy, the Gladue Pathways Program Manager provides strategic leadership, operational management, and overall oversight for the MKO Gladue Pathways to Healing Initiative, and other Navigation and Pathway Services as needed.  The Program Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of culturally responsive Gladue services that support First Nation individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Working collaboratively with First Nations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community organizations, justice system partners, and government representatives, the Program Manager ensures the preparation of high-quality Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans that reflect the unique histories, circumstances, strengths, and healing pathways of First Nation individuals.

The Program Manager promotes the principles established under section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code and relevant Gladue jurisprudence while ensuring the initiative is ground in the Indigenous knowledge, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, and community justice.

As a member of the MKO First Nation Justice Strategy leadership team, the Program Manager provides strategic advice, supports policy and program development, oversees staff and program performance, manages funding agreements, and fosters collaborative partnerships that advance equitable justice outcomes for First Nations people across the MKO territory.

Role and Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the MKO Gladue Pathways to Healing Initiative.
• Develop, implement and maintain annual operational workplans, strategic priorities, and performance measures.
• Promote continuous quality improvement through program evaluation, innovation, and evidence-informed practices.
• Identify emerging justice issues affecting First Nations and recommend responsive program strategies.

Program Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Gladue program, ensuring services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with program objectives.
• Ensure Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans are completed to the highest professional and cultural standards.
• Monitor program performance, service outcomes, and reporting requirements.

• Develop knowledge tools, policies, procedures, standards, and best practices supporting consistent service delivery.

Cultural Leadership

• Ensure all services are grounded in First Nation values, cultures, traditions, and community strengths.
• Foster culturally safe, trauma-informed, and healing-centred approaches throughout program delivery.
• Support meaningful engagement with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and First Nations.
• Promote community justice principles and Indigenous approaches to healing and accountability.

Staff Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate program staff.
• Foster a respectful, collaborative, and supportive workplace culture and environment.
• Coordinate staff orientation, ongoing professional development, and specialized Gladue training.
• Support employee wellness and promote culturally safe workplace practices.

Stakeholder Relations

• Develop, foster and maintain collaborative relations with: First Nation Leadership, Courts, Crown Attorneys, Defence Counsel, Legal Aid, Correctional Services, Police Services, Community Justice organizations, Health and Social Service providers.
• Participate in justice reform initiatives that improve outcomes for First Nations people.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Develop and manage program budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and funding agreements.
• Prepare financial forecasts and reports.
• Oversee procurement and contract management.
• Ensure compliance with funding agreements and organizational policies

Reporting & Evaluation

• Prepare reports for MKO Executive, Chiefs, funders and governance bodies.
• Analyze program data and outcomes.
• Development recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Support research, evaluation and knowledge sharing.

Other

• Adhere to MKO policies, procedures and protocols.
• Ability to work independently.
• Other duties as assigned.
• MKO is a political advocacy organization that works to represent the leadership and member First Nations. All staff at MKO may be given other duties as assigned that enable MKO to fulfill the mandate and responsibility to its member communities.
  

Education and Experience

• Post-Secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Criminology, Law, Justice Studies, Public Administration, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience managing justice, Indigenous, or human services program.
  

• Demonstrated knowledge of Gladue and Restorative Justice Principles, Indigenous Justice systems, First Nation histories, the impacts of colonization, and providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive and safe service delivery.
• Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Extensive experience in determining if policies and standards align with program objectives, policies, and agreements.
• Ability to collaboratively with First Nation governments and Indigenous organizations.
• Experience managing funding agreements and reporting requirements.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and social skills.
• Exceptional team player with a strong ability to contribute positively to a team environment.
• Strong computer literacy is required; Microsoft Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and travel as required.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• Possess valid drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Candidates are required to provide a current Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry Self-Check, and Adult Abuse Registry Self-Check.

• Ability to comply with all MKO policies and procedures.

Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience

Interested applicants are invited to submit their cover letter identifying the position applying for and resume, along with 3 professional reference listings (include a most recent employer reference) by 4:00 p.m. on July 21, 2026.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Preference will be given to qualified First Nation applicants; applicants are encouraged to self-declare in their resume or cover letter.  No phone calls will be accepted.

Incorporated in 1981 as the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Indigenous, and human rights for citizens of the 26 sovereign First Nations we represent. The MKO First Nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10.

Please visit our website at mkonation.com