The Indigenous Business Development Services Project (IBDS) is an initiative funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada dedicated to improving access to business information for new and existing Indigenous entrepreneurs. The IBDS is delivered by Community Futures Manitoba, the association of Manitoba’s sixteen Community Futures organizations.

We are seeking an Indigenous Business Development Services Project Coordinator for a term position through March 31, 2020, with potential extension based on performance and funding availability.

Based from the Community Futures Manitoba offices in Winnipeg, the Coordinator will continue building a network responsive to the business development needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

IBDS Coordination Functions

1. Planning and Coordination
   • Coordinate IBDS activities in Manitoba.
   • Oversee the implementation of IBDS, including the facilitation of community business linkages
   • Undertake planning processes for future project activities
2. Client Needs Assessment and Assistance, Encouragement of Entrepreneurship
   • Develop initiatives to encourage the development of Indigenous entrepreneurs, and the promotion of entrepreneurship as an employment option in Indigenous communities.
   • Identify gaps in current information products and business resources, through consultation with Indigenous clients and business service providers.
   • Ensure the ongoing development of responsive business resources and information products (such as Indigenous Business Start Guides, onreserve business materials, etc.), services and delivery approaches to fill gaps. Oversee the allocation of resources and information products to communities and partner service delivery organizations.
3. Training
   • Identify training requirements through consultation with the various IBDS partners and clients.
   • Develop and/or deliver targeted workshops (e.g. Starting a Business in a First Nation Community) for live or video conference delivery based upon the needs of the IBDS clients and partner organizations, and/or identify and recommend the hiring of appropriate training specialists.
4. Counselling Entrepreneurs
   • Provide assistance to clients (in person or remotely) with research, business plan development, or counselling for their existing business challenges.
   • Provide assistance to clients with pathfinding for business development assistance from other Indigenous entrepreneurship service providers.
5. Liaison with other Service Providers and Stakeholders 
   • Facilitate the sharing of best practices and current initiatives between Indigenous entrepreneurship service providers.
   • Serve as bridge between groups on specific projects.
   • Maintain regular liaison with established IBDS partner organizations to monitor effectiveness and usage of information products.
6. Special Project Coordination and Delivery
   • Oversee the delivery of a special projects fund to develop capacity building projects. Capacity building projects are meant to be used to build regional or provincial capacity to deliver IBDS services and/or to raise awareness of other services available for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
   • Oversee the delivery of an Indigenous Business Planning Competition (currently called Dragon Quest) or an alternative initiative; potentially in partnership with an Indigenous entrepreneurship service delivery partner.
   • Oversee the delivery of other collaborative projects with Indigenous Entrepreneurship service delivery group partners.
7. Promotion of the IBDS Program
   • Deliver effective marketing activities to promote the IBDS program and the enhanced support systems, products and services that are available to Indigenous businesses and partner organizations. These activities could include, among others: general information distribution, social media, newspaper advertisements, Indigenous business success stories, Indigenous entrepreneur awards, attending/sponsoring National Indigenous Day, and attending tradeshows and other relevant public events.
   • Continue to maintain and develop the existing web site, which links to both customized and general business information through Community Futures organizations and other service delivery partners.
   • Monitoring effectiveness of activities and revising as necessary
8. Data Collection
   • Record and collect data sufficient to measure progress toward meeting project indicators identified in the project’s contribution agreement.
   • Maintain basic data collection on Indigenous client usage.
9. Support Service
   • Serve as a resource for Indigenous Economic Development Officers (EDOs) as requested.
   • Provide Indigenous EDOs with access to information and tools to use with their clients as requested.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Community Futures Manitoba

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinator may be required to supervise and assign duties to subordinate staff such as an Assistant Coordinator or IBDS project interns if budget allows.

TRAVEL: Travel within Manitoba is required. Travel outside Manitoba may also be required occasionally.

The ideal candidate will be a university or college graduate in business with experience in project coordination, strong writing and oral presentation skills, a good understanding of Indigenous cultures, and an ability to develop meaningful partnerships.

The position carries an annual salary range of $50,000 to $70,000 (salary to be determined based on experience and qualifications) plus parking and a comprehensive group benefits package. Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous candidates.

Interested candidates may send a resume, including relevant references, by 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2018 to:

IBDS Project Coordinator
Community Futures Manitoba Inc.
559 – 167 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 0V3
E-mail: jdenbow at cfmanitoba.ca

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.