The Associate Principal, Rights & Interests Assessment, leads the development of clear, defensible analyses of how projects may affect Indigenous peoples’ ability to exercise their rights, as well as broader Indigenous interests, in support of impact assessment and regulatory processes across Canada.

In this role, you will lead technical assessments that contribute to informed decision-making by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, industry, and government. Working alongside First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, clients, and multidisciplinary teams, you will undertake research, analysis, and the development of assessment approaches that reflect community priorities while meeting regulatory requirements.

This work emphasizes the application of multiple lines of evidence, including Indigenous Knowledge systems as distinct, authoritative, and expert knowledge. The role requires applying Indigenous and Western ways of knowing through a multi-lens assessment framework, supporting balanced, credible, and transparent analyses of potential project effects on Indigenous rights and interests.

This position is well suited to individuals with strong consulting, analytical, and project management skills who are motivated to continue expanding their expertise in multidisciplinary teams, Indigenous engagements, impact assessment, and regulatory environments.

Associate Principal Responsibilities (All Service Areas)

These responsibilities define the core expectations for all Associate Principals at TWC, establishing accountabilities across project leadership, client engagement, team support, and delivery excellence.

• Lead complex projects, major project components, or workstreams, ensuring delivery of high-quality outcomes that meet client, regulatory, scope, schedule, and budget requirements. 
• Apply and strengthen TWC methodologies, driving consistent quality while contributing to ongoing improvements in tools, processes, and practices. 
• Integrate technical and cross-disciplinary perspectives to deliver cohesive, defensible, and actionable project outcomes. 
• Mentor and develop team members, supporting technical excellence, professional growth, and knowledge sharing across the organization. 
• Build trusted client relationships, providing strategic advice and responsive service that contributes to successful outcomes and repeat business. 
• Support business growth through opportunity identification, proposal development, and contribution to business development activities.
• Manage project risk and compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory, client, health and safety, and quality requirements.

Role-Specific Responsibilities (Rights & Interests Assessment)

These responsibilities describe how the Associate Principal applies their core role within rights and interest assessment, focusing on collaborative, defensible, and relationship-centered analysis. 

• Develop Indigenous Rights and Interests Assessments approaches tailored to the project, client, and context.
• Lead the delivery of Indigenous Rights and Interests Assessments for federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous-led impact assessment and regulatory processes, including evaluation of potential interactions between project activities and Indigenous Rights and Interests. 
• Plan, coordinate, and direct complex technical assessment activities, integrating information from multiple disciplines and sources to produce cohesive, traceable, and defensible conclusions that meet project and regulatory requirements. 
• Provide support and strategic advice to proponents advancing through federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous-led impact assessment and regulatory processes. 
• Support and advise First Nations, Inuit, and Métis undertaking assessment processes, including the design and implementation of Indigenous-led Assessments, other Nation-led assessment initiatives, and collaboration and engagement with proponents and regulators. 
• Provide senior technical leadership and expert advice on the assessment of project-specific effects on Indigenous Rights and Interests, including navigating uncertainty, incomplete information, and differing interpretations of evidence. 
• Prepare and oversee high-quality assessment deliverables, including baseline reports, impact statement sections, technical memoranda, standalone Rights and Interests Assessment reports, and regulatory submissions. 
• Develop evidence-based analyses and recommendations that reflect Indigenous interests, land and resource use, the exercise of Rights, Indigenous Knowledge, and potential project interactions, supporting regulatory review and decision-making. 
• Apply relevant legislation, policy, guidance, and leading practices related to Indigenous Rights and Interests, consultation, and impact assessment, adapting approaches to project- and Nation-specific contexts. 
• Develop and document mitigation, accommodation, enhancement, monitoring, and follow-up measures, including contributions to environmental management plans, commitments registries, and follow-up programs informed by both science and Indigenous Knowledge. 
• Apply Indigenous Knowledge in accordance with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis protocols, governance requirements, and expectations regarding ownership, control, access, and use of information. 
• Establish and maintain assessment records and information management systems, ensuring clear traceability between engagement inputs, Indigenous Knowledge, technical studies, issues tracking, and assessment conclusions.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every qualification but bring relevant consulting experience, lived or professional insight, and a strong alignment with our work. 

• 10+ years of experience leading Indigenous Rights and Interest assessment, impact assessment, regulatory processes, or related work (i.e., engagement tracking, issues summaries), including experience supporting with First Nations and/or Métis peoples in British Columbia. 
• 10+ years of experience in consulting, advisory, or professional services environments, including leading client facing scopes, managing multidisciplinary teams, directing technical work, and delivering projects within scope, schedule, and budget expectations. 
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian federal, territorial, and provincial legislation, policy, and guidance related to Indigenous Rights, consultation, and impact assessment, and regulatory decision-making demonstrated through professional practice. 
• Demonstrated experience in providing support and strategic advice to proponents advancing through federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous-led impact assessment and regulatory processes. 
• Experience building trusted relationships with Indigenous Nations and organizations, supporting collaborative approaches to assessment, planning, decision-making, and regulatory processes. Indigenous lived experience is considered a strong asset, particularly where it contributes to relationship-building, multi-lens analysis, and the meaningful integration of Indigenous perspectives within consulting and assessment processes. 
• Experience working with Indigenous Knowledge in assessment and regulatory processes, in a manner that respects Indigenous protocols, governance, data sovereignty, and the appropriate use of information. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical analyses and develop defensible recommendations related to Indigenous Rights and Interests, including situations involving uncertainty, competing perspectives, and sensitive issues. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing and reviewing high-quality technical reports, regulatory submissions, impact assessment documentation, and executive-level communications for diverse audiences. 
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop staff, supporting technical excellence, professional growth, and collaborative project delivery across multidisciplinary teams. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and client relationships simultaneously, exercising sound judgment, strategic thinking, and a high degree of professional accountability.
• A master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline such as Indigenous studies, social sciences, public policy, environmental studies, geography, economics, planning, law, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with a bachelor's degree and significant relevant professional experience (typically 15+ years) will also be considered.

How to Apply

Please provide a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to independently develop complex analyses and communicate technical information effectively. Examples may include a sole-authored academic publication, dissertation or thesis chapter, Indigenous Rights and Interests Assessment, environmental assessment chapter, technical report, or other comparable work demonstrating primary authorship.