Contract Position

Contract: Marine Shipping & Response Coordination

Organization: Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance

Location: remote – from home office living near Vancouver or Vancouver Island including some travel to Central Coast

CONTRACT FOR SERVICES OPPORTUNITY AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

Project Support Services

Opportunity details

Type of agreement: Contract for services Services sought: Marine Shipping and Response coordination (Maternity Leave coverage) Program area: Marine Planning and Implementation Reason for opportunity: Planned temporary coverage and file continuity Anticipated contract term: August 1st, 2026, to September 1st 2027 Estimated level of effort: 37.5 hours/ week Work location: Remote with approved travel as required Travel requirements: Opportunities to travel to Central Coast communities as requested by Central Coast Nations technical staff. Contract fee or budget: $75,000 for 13-month contract Primary CCIRA contact: Rachel Munger, CCIRA’s Marine Planning and Implementation Program Manager; Molly Fraser, CCIR’s Marine Shipping and Response Coordinator. Submission deadline: July 17th by 5 PM PST Preferred start date: August 1st, 2026; additional start dates in August will be accommodated for the right fit.

About CCIRA

The Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance (CCIRA) was established by the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai'xais, Nuxalk, and Wuikinuxv Nations to support Nation-directed marine stewardship and resource management in the Central Coast. As coastal First Nations, the Nations' cultures, well-being, governance, livelihoods, and future generations are deeply tied to healthy waters and the resources they sustain. CCIRA helps uphold a common voice for living waters by supporting work that advances Nation priorities.

CCIRA's ways of working

CCIRA's work is carried out in service of Nation-directed priorities and in ways that support long-term Nation capacity, continuity and self-determination. We work respectfully and collaboratively with our member Nations, guided by humility, respect, cultural safety, confidentiality, and Nation-owned data and knowledge stewardship principles. We aim to provide technical expertise in practical and accessible ways, support knowledge transfer, document work clearly, and help ensure that information, tools, relationships and project knowledge remain with the Nations over time.

Contracted services are expected to reflect these ways of working and must be carried out in accordance with applicable Nation protocols, CCIRA policies and procedures, agreed deliverables, and guidance from the designated CCIRA contract contact.

Background and objective

CCIRA is seeking an independent contractor to provide services during a planned temporary coverage period. The purpose of this contract is to maintain continuity on active files, support timely delivery of agreed work, meet time-sensitive obligations, and ensure that information, relationships, records, and next steps remain clear during the coverage period.

Scope of services

The Contractor Will Provide The Following Services And Deliverables

This contract supports CCIRA and Central Coast Nations in advancing priority marine shipping and response initiatives under the Oceans Reconciliation Framework Agreement (ORFA), with a focus on strengthening collaborative governance, advancing Nation-led priorities, and supporting effective decision-making across various processes.

The Scope Of Work Centers On Three Core Areas

Coordinate and facilitate Central Coast Nations’ participation and input in marine shipping and response initiatives at subregional and regional levels, as directed by the Organization and/or the Nations. Support the monitoring and tracking of deliverables of tri-partite marine response and shipping workplans (Nations–BC–federal), including progress tracking, milestone updates, and recommendations to advance Nation priorities. Engage and collaborate with ORFA Nations, provincial and federal marine shipping and response technical staff, stakeholders, and third-party contractors.

Work will be delivered in close collaboration with CCIRA, Central Coast Nations, government and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with governance processes, timelines, and Nation priorities.

Unless otherwise directed by CCIRA, the Contractor will provide to CCIRA all draft, final, and working files created under this Agreement, including any underlying data, models, code, analyses, maps, notes, and other project materials, upon request and in any event upon completion or termination of the Agreement.

Deliverables

Deliverable — Description / Output — Timing

Support Oceans Reconciliation Framework Agreement (ORFA) and Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) Initiatives

Co-chair the Central Coast Sub-Regional ORFA Steering Committee and support region wide First Nations coordination on ORFA and OPP initiatives Duration of contract term

Tri-Partite Marine Response and Shipping Workplan Coordination and Tracking

Support the monitoring and tracking of deliverables of tri-partite marine response and shipping workplans (Nations–BC–federal), including progress tracking, milestone updates, and recommendations to advance Nation priorities Duration of contract term

Meeting Coordination, Research, and Facilitation Support

Review materials, conduct research, prepare meeting summaries and agendas, briefing documents, presentations, and workshops (virtual and in-person), and support facilitation of collective Central Coast Nations’ positions. Duration of contract term

Marine Shipping and Response Program Coordination

Coordinate and facilitate Central Coast Nations’ participation and input in marine shipping and response initiatives at the subregional and regional levels, support the implementation of ORFA work plan initiatives, and, where directed by the Organization or Nations, convey Central Coast First Nations’ collective concerns and management direction in meetings with governments and stakeholders. Duration of contract term

Marine Response Training, Workshop and Exercise Coordination

Plan and coordinate training sessions, workshops, and marine response exercises to support the Nations, under the direction of the Nations and in collaboration with partners. Duration of contract term

Program Reporting, Administration and Tracking Support

Support CC Nations technical leads in producing all deliverables for reporting requirements such as tracking who is coming to meetings, progress of files and supporting Nations spending project funds. Duration of contract term

Capacity Building and Technical Support

Support capacity-building for Nation technical staff through mentorship, training coordination, and technical collaboration, as appropriate. Duration of contract term

Communications Support and Collaboration

Collaborate with other CCIRA contractors to support the Central Coast Nations in the development of communications materials, as requested. Duration of contract term

CCIRA Project Coordination and Alignment

Coordinate with CCIRA contractors and Central Coast Nations to ensure alignment between the Contractor’s projects and broader CCIRA initiatives. Duration of contract term

Working arrangements

The contractor will determine how the services are carried out, subject to agreed deliverables, timelines, confidentiality obligations, Nation protocols, information management requirements, and CCIRA standards.

The primary CCIRA contact for this contract will be Rachel Munger, Marine Planning and Implementation Program Manager. The contractor may also coordinate with CCIRA project leads, ED, Administrator, Nation technical leads, partners, funders, committees, or working groups as applicable.

The contractor must provide timely updates on progress, risks, information gaps, and decisions requiring CCIRA direction. The contractor does not have authority to bind CCIRA, approve expenditures, make commitments on behalf of CCIRA, or represent CCIRA externally unless expressly authorized in writing.

Travel must be approved in advance and must follow CCIRA travel and expense requirements. If travel or vehicle use is required, the contractor must ensure they have appropriate vehicle insurance for the use of the vehicle in connection with the services.

What We Are Looking For

CCIRA is seeking an independent contractor or consultant who can provide practical, reliable and well-documented support during the temporary coverage period. This includes:

Experience relevant to the services being requested, including Marine Shipping and Response. Respectful experience working with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, governance partners, communities, or related organizations. Strong coordination, organization and follow-through. Clear written communication, including the ability to prepare notes, summaries, briefing materials, reports, correspondence, and transition documentation. Sound judgment, including the ability to identify gaps, flag risks early, protect confidential information, and seek direction where required. Ability to work independently and remotely while contributing to a respectful and collaborative working environment. Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Zoom, Slack, etc.

Contractor Requirements

The contractor is responsible for their own taxes, statutory remittances, business expenses, equipment, insurance, and professional obligations, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The contractor may provide services to other clients, provided there is no conflict of interest, breach of confidentiality, breach of data or knowledge stewardship obligations, or conflict with agreed CCIRA deliverables and timelines. The contractor may use approved subcontractors only with prior written approval from CCIRA and only where confidentiality, data stewardship, conflict of interest, quality, and insurance requirements are met. Proof of insurance must be provided before services begin and upon request during the term of the contract. This includes: Professional liability insurance, including errors and omissions coverage: not less than $2,000,000, unless otherwise agreed in writing by CCIRA. WorkSafeBC documentation must be provided, including WorkSafeBC registration number and clearance letter, or written confirmation that registration is not required for the contractor and scope of services. The contractor will be required to provide business registration information and a clear criminal record check where appropriate for the scope of work. Insurance, WorkSafeBC, travel, privacy, and documentation requirements may be amended only by mutual written agreement with CCIRA. How To Submit

Interested contractors should send one combined submission to Molly Fraser, molly.fraser@ccira.ca by July 17th, 2026, at 5 PM PST.

Subject line: Expression of Interest - Marine Shipping and Response coordination (Maternity Leave coverage)

Please Include

A brief expression of interest or cover email outlining relevant experience, availability and fit for the assignment. A current CV and short professional profile. Any known availability constraints during the contract period. Work samples or examples if helpful for the services.

Review and selection

Submissions will be reviewed for technical fit, relevant experience, ability to support continuity, availability, and a respectful approach to Nation-directed work.

CCIRA may invite shortlisted contractors for a brief conversation, request clarification, check references, or adjust the scope before finalizing the contractor services agreement.

CCIRA welcomes interest from Indigenous contractors and from contractors with demonstrated respect for Indigenous governance, stewardship, and community-based work.

Privacy, confidentiality and conflicts

All submissions will be handled with appropriate confidentiality. Contractors may be required to sign confidentiality, privacy, data stewardship, knowledge stewardship, and conflict of interest documents before services begin. Contractors should disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest in their submission or as soon as they become aware of it.

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