Manager, NNI Indigenous Governance and Direct Services

The Udall Center at the University of Arizona is in search of a Manager, Native Nations Institute Indigenous Governance and Direct Services.

Working under the direction of the Native Nations Institute (NNI) Program Director and in close collaboration with the NNI researchers and staff, the incumbent will serve as the senior administrator for the NNI outreach and training programs and will act as a co-planner and co-facilitator as needed to fulfill the scope of work on various projects to a largely tribal audience.

The incumbent must possess excellent organizational, prioritization, project management, and communication skills. The position requires a demonstrated ability to take initiative in making independent and professional judgement, including delegating tasks to appropriate staff, meeting deadlines, developing lasting relationships in Indian Country, and managing and administering the varied services, projects, and constituents of the Indigenous Governance Program (IGP) and Tribal and Direct Services (TDS) programs.

The Manager must have experience managing a team that delivers developed training materials, augments those materials to tailored asks, and successfully implements structured training and professional development.

Native Nations Institute was founded in 2001 by the University of Arizona and Udall Foundation as a self-determination, governance, and development resource for Indigenous nations. A program of the university's Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, NNI works with Indigenous nations and organizations to support Indigenous self-determination, strengthen Indigenous governance capacities, and achieve community and economic development objectives. It does this through practical research, educational programs, and hands-on collaboration designed to assist Indigenous peoples in (re)building their nations according to their own designs. The NNI Educational Services program provides outreach and educational services to Indigenous nations and communities and to non-Native entities who work with Indigenous peoples, including UArizona programs, that inquire and/or request educational seminars, facilitation, and strategic planning support.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Manages and coordinates daily operations of Indigenous Governance Program (IGP) and Tribal and Direct Services (TDS) program activities ensuring specified goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with established priorities, time and funding limitations, and/or other specifications. Includes inquiries, agreements, development and delivery of seminars, workshops, convenings, meetings or conferences.
• Determines strategic priorities in collaboration w/NNI Program Director.
• Leads development of action plans to implement new or revised program goals and objectives.
• Coordinates IGDS activities with interrelated activities of NNI, the Udall Center, and other University programs.
• Trains staff.
• Establishes and communicates performance expectations.
• Conducts performance evaluations.
• Accountable for the timely and professional work outputs of individuals as dictated by needs of constituents.
• Adheres to University procurement requirements for all services.
• Coordinates with Udall Center Administrative Manager to ensure budgetary needs are being met.
• Stays current on policies and processes of the University of Arizona.
• Serves as primary contact with clients.
• Maintains and creates new and updated content for Rebuilding Native Nations materials and January in Tucson, as needed.
• Ensures that content meets the needs of constituents and that programs are being managed to maximize engagement and implemented with best practices.
• Edits and finalizes all IGDS summary reports and deliverables.
• Ensures appropriate data from IGDS is reported as needed.
• Manages and facilitates IGDS programs/projects.
• Sets milestones for the team.
• Drafts curricular content in collaboration with IGDS Team.
• Adopts new tools/resources/methods as appropriate.
• Completes professional development as needed and appropriate for team and individual development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skilled in working with American Indian, Alaska Natives, or other Indigenous groups, communities, leaders, programs and/or other Indigenous endeavors.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement project management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences orally and in writing.
• Skilled in public speaking to small and/or large audiences.
• Skilled in organizing and prioritizing work of self and others.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of grant proposals.
• Ability to solicit and manage input from diverse individuals.
• Skilled in conducting information gathering on tribal issues/challenges and producing/presenting informational materials.
• Extensive knowledge of contemporary Indigenous nations and their governance and history.
• Extensive knowledge of the research findings of the Native Nations Institute (NNI) and Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.

• Master's degree in American Indian Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, Education, and/or related disciplines; or Law degree.
• Direct experience working with American Indian, Alaska Natives, or other Indigenous groups, communities, leaders, programs and/or other Indigenous endeavors.
• Management experience.
• Experience with all aspects of grant proposals.
• Demonstrated experience in managing diverse tasks and assignments from a variety of sources.

• A cover letter highlighting relevant experience and why candidate is interested in the job.
• An example of a course or presentation the candidate has prepared for an indigenous or indigenous adjacent audience.