Director, Official Languages

This employment opportunity is open to all applicants.

The Government of Nunavut was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People and recent graduates in 2023. With one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in Canada, Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory, committed to becoming an even better place for future generations.  As a government, we are strengthening our unique model of governance - one that integrates Inuit societal values, promotes use of the Inuktut language, achieves a representative public service, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges and opportunities for training and career advancement.

The Director, Official Languages (Director), reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister of the department of Culture and Heritage and is accountable for the management, coordination, and implementation of the Official Languages Act, Inuit Language Protection Act, and associated regulations and policies by the Departments of the Government of Nunavut (GN) and public agencies. The Director oversees the implementation of the Uqausivut 2.0. Uqausivut 2.0 identifies implementation measures through which departments of the Government of Nunavut and public agencies will meet their obligations under the language legislation.

The Director is further accountable for the effective administration of the Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of the French and Inuit Languages, community grants and contributions, the Inuit Language Implementation Fund and the language revitalization and language training units. Additionally, the Director is responsible for developing initiatives to promote the equality of official languages in Nunavut, while fostering the preservation, use and promotion of Inuktut, particularly among age groups and communities with concerns of language loss.

The Director is responsible and accountable for:

• Managing, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Official Languages Act, Inuit Language Protection Act, and associated regulations and policies by the Departments of the Government of Nunavut and public agencies.
• Administering the Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of the French and Inuit Languages, community grants and contributions, and the Inuit Language Implementation Fund.
• Developing, implementing, evaluating and auditing the GN wide language act implementation strategies of the Uqausivut Plan.
• Promoting the vitality of Inuktut across Nunavut, while developing and coordinating policies and programs supporting the revitalization of Inuktut among youth and communities with concerns of language loss and strengthening its use among Nunavummiut.
• Design and oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive strategic approach to the design, development, and coordination of language training programs for the territorial public service.
• Protecting and promoting the French language and the vitality of the Francophone community, consistent with the obligations of Nunavut and Canada and with their policies.
• Developing initiatives to promote the equality of official lanuguages in Nunavut.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job are usually obtained through a recognized post-secondary degree, Administration or Community Development, or other relevant degree plus four (4) years of experience in managing community programs. The incumbent must have had progressively responsible management positions with a diverse background in the areas of finance, human resources, and community and territorial/provincial operations. Experience in the area of language research, and/or policy development is also required. This is a Position of Trust and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check is required.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any of the official languages of Nunavut. Fluency in more than one of Nunavut’s official languages would be considered an asset. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also considered assets.

Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

If you are interested in applying for this job, please email your cover letter and resume to IqaluitApplications@gov.nu.ca. Please include the REFERENCE # in the subject line of your email.

• The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; therefore, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as being enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
• Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for your application to be considered. 
• Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates from being considered. An assessment of the criminal record will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This is only a requirement for positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check. 
• Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• The onus is on candidates in receipt of foreign post-secondary education credentials to have their foreign credentials assessed through a recognized Canadian education institution.  Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.