Elections Nova Scotia

First Nations & ENS Collaboration Strategy

First Nations to Collaborate with Elections Nova Scotia in Next General Election

February 16, 2017

Elections Nova Scotia’s Chief Electoral Officer and the Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief have agreed to work together to enhance elections services offered on Reserve in the next provincial general election.

Chief Electoral Officer Richard Temporale hopes the collaboration will be the first step towards an unprecedented co-operation to improve elections services to First Nations people in Canada.

“I am honoured that Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Morley Googoo has agreed to co-sign letters with me, to each of his colleagues representing the thirteen bands in Nova Scotia, urging them to commit to this initiative.”, says CEO Richard Temporale.

ENS intends to hire a Community Relations Officer (CRO) for each band to support the initiative. Electors from within the local reserve community will be hired to fill the positions required to be enumerators and election officers during the next general election. The CRO will work with ENS and the local returning officer to ensure the list of electors used on their Reserve is up to date and accurate, to identify suitable polling locations, and provide feedback on the improvement of election services within each Reserve community.  

This initiative hopes to capitalize on Elections Canada’s experience during the last federal general election which saw a 14% increase in the number of registered electors living on reserves who chose to vote. The evidence of the growing elector engagement among First Nations people indicates this new initiative is well timed. Elections Nova Scotia welcomes this opportunity to complement its mandate to provide fair and inclusive elections to all electors throughout Nova Scotia regardless of where they live.

 

Job Opportunity

Job Title:     Community Relations Officer (CRO)
Location:     In your band community within your electoral district
Duration:    Prior to, and during the writ period (approx.2 months)

Job Overview

The Community Relations Officer (CRO) shall be appointed in each of the Tribal Council communities of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians and the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq.  This position works in cooperation with a Returning Officer at large responsible for this initiative and reports to the Returning Officer (RO) of the electoral district but may interact with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (OCEO) as required.  This position will serve band members in the following way:

  • Increase election awareness: election processes and timeframes;

  • provide elector information: how, when and where to register and vote;

  • explain the importance of registering and voting;

  • assist with any registration initiatives organized by the returning officer; and

  • make voting and candidate information as accessible as possible in your community.

     

    Key Activities

    The CRO shall work with the returning officer at large and assist the RO and the OCEO to deliver an election in their community. 

     

    Under the guidance of the RO, the CRO may:

  • work with the returning officer at large responsible for the overall strategy delivery;

  • Assist OCEO in Information Sharing Agreement activities;

  • complete a community profile;

  • direct individuals to elections website or provide RO contact number or email;

  • interact and share information on a daily basis with community band members;

  • make nomination papers available to individuals considering candidature;

  • alert the RO and be present when nomination papers and candidate deposits are to be delivered;

  • post notices as directed by the RO;

  • source polling station availability;

  • assist with any registration activities planned by the RO

  • deliver advance/special voting polls;

  • execute all plans and preparations for polling day;

  • serve as deputy returning officer; and

  • recruit additional election workers.

     

    Skills

    Some of the key abilities a CRO should possess:

  • non-partisanship while working with ENS

  • the ability to be seen as politically neutral within the community;

  • excellent verbal communication skills that allows for information to be delivered in the simplest explanations;

  • the willingness to be an effective team player, but capable of working independently; and

    good organization and time management skills;

  • IT Experience

 

Education

The position of Community Relations Officer (CRO) is best served through the completion of Grade 12 or equivalent.  Some University or College is preferred. However, equivalencies will be considered.  Education alone is not the sole criteria when determining suitability for an appointment to the position of CRO.  In addition to education levels, successful candidates must demonstrate an appropriate combination of the above listed skills and work experience, and possess qualities that ensure public trust.

 

Ineligibility

Persons may not be eligible for consideration of appointment to this position in accordance with Section 24 of Nova Scotia’s Act Respecting the Election of Members to the House of Assembly and Electoral Finance.

Email your application to: elections@novascotia.ca

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