Chief Returning Officer

Project Background

ITK is inviting proposals from qualified candidates with:

• A strong understanding of Inuit Nunangat, including Inuit governance structures;
• Proven expertise and a successful track record in administering election processes; and
• Demonstrated knowledge of the political, geographic, and cultural autonomy of the four Inuit treaty organizations.

ITK Presidential Election and Election Procedures

Under election procedures adopted by the delegates at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s (ITK) Annual General Meeting on October 29, 2020, a Chief Returning Officer (CRO) shall be appointed by unanimous decision of the ITK Board of Directors to manage the election of the ITK President. The CRO will provide oversight and supervision of all administrative aspects of the election, ensuring fairness, impartiality, and full compliance with ITK’s By-laws.

The designated voting day is the final day of ITK’s Annual General Meeting. As stipulated by the By-laws, there shall be one polling station located at the meeting’s venue. For the 2025 Presidential Election, it will be held in Cambridge Bay on the third week of September 2025.

Organizational Background

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is the national representational organization for the 70,545 Inuit living in Canada, the majority of whom live in four regions, including the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Québec), and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). Collectively, these four regions make up Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. Inuit Nunangat includes 51 communities and encompasses 40 percent of Canada’s landmass and more than 72 percent of its coastline. Consistent with its founding purpose, ITK represents the rights and interests of Inuit at the national level through a democratic governance structure representing all Inuit regions.

The comprehensive land claim agreements settled in Inuit Nunangat form a core component of ITK’s mandate. These land claims have the status of protected treaties under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and ITK remains committed to working in partnership with the Crown toward full implementation. In addition, ITK advocates for policies, programs, and services to address the social, cultural, political, and environmental issues facing our people.

ITK is governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of the following members from the four (4) Land Claims Organizations (LCOs):

• Chair and CEO, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)
• President, Makivvik
• President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI)
• President, Nunatsiavut Government (NG)

In addition to voting members, the following non-voting permanent participant representatives also sit on the Board:

• President, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada
• President, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
• President, National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC)

Scope of Work

ITK is seeking a Chief Returning Officer to manage and oversee all aspects of the 2025 Presidential Election.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and administer all election processes in full compliance with ITK By-laws and ITK’s Election Procedure;
• Ensure and enforce fairness, accountability, and impartiality; and
• Communicate information related to the administration and outcomes of the election.

Detailed Tasks

The successful proponent will be responsible for the following:

• Planning and preparing for the 2025 ITK election, including all pre-events and event activities;
• Leading election-related outreach and communications, including the development of public and media materials in Inuktut;
• Attending the AGM in-person in Cambridge Bay on the third week of September 2025;
• Coordinating the full nomination review process; and
• Administering the election under the guidance of the designated Election Chair.

Proposal Requirements

ITK requires a proposal (maximum of 10 pages) with cost estimates and projected timelines for the deliverables described in Section 3 (Scope of Work). Proposals should include:

1. A timeline outlining achievable milestones for a September 2025 election;
2. Detailed description of a collaborative and participatory approach, including engagement with regional and ITK staff in developing the election process and materials;
3. Description of team members’ qualifications and experience; along with resumes; and
4. A detailed budget, with justification, including estimates for level of effort, and daily/hourly billing rates for all team members (all travel will be paid and organized by ITK); and
5. Summaries of two comparable past projects, including client references and contact information.

Selection Criteria and Process

Proposals will be scored out of a total of 100 points, including up to:

• 40 points for the qualifications and capacity of the proponent, including Inuit firms, Inuit leads on the project, experience working in partnership with Inuit, knowledge of Inuit Nunangat, relevant experience and potential for an excellent working relationship with ITK, and relevance of comparable past projects;
• 30 points for methodology and approach, including the appropriateness and clarity of the proposed methodology and approach; and,
• 30 points for the budget and cost-effectiveness.

The assignment will be awarded to the proponent with the highest score and who the selection committee determines is the best match for this project.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Sarazin, Senior Director of Corporate Services at sarazin@itk.ca.

Your electronic submission should be sent by June 27, 2025 to sarazin@itk.ca.