- The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) is an incorporated not-for-profit feminist organization that works to achieve substantive equality and the realization of human rights for all women* in Canada through legal education, research, strategic intervention, coalition work and feminist law reform advocacy, particularly at the federal level.
- NAWL is entering an exciting period, organizationally, with strong funding, an energized staff team, an engaged National Steering Committee– and clear strategic direction as it nears its 50th anniversary. This is the perfect time to be joining the organization; help us make real, feminist change in the law for Canadians!
- NAWL is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Head of Feminist Law Reform.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead, in partnership with the Executive Director, the development, implementation and monitoring of the organization’s advocacy objectives and strategies across its key advocacy priority areas (ending violence against women, reproductive rights, women and the climate crisis).
- Track and analyze key national legal developments and opportunities relevant to NAWL.
- Lead organizational work to respond to emerging significant legal developments and opportunities for law reform advocacy and litigation interventions.
- Lead consultations and coalition-building efforts on behalf of NAWL, and in partnership with partner organizations. Build and manage partnerships and alliances to advance and refine NAWL’s advocacy strategies and to meet its objectives.
- Coordinate the drafting of, contribute to drafting, and/or draft legal and advocacy briefs, memoranda, factums, advocacy tools, legislative proposals, position papers, op-eds, and other types of legal advocacy documents working with external consultants, members of NAWL’s National Steering Committee and other team members.
- Cultivate and engage with key government contacts as relevant to the advancement of NAWL’s advocacy strategies, including Parliamentarians, Parliamentary staff, Ministers and their staff, and officials in key departments.
- Represent NAWL within key processes, including Parliamentary processes, and to key external stakeholders, including government representatives, other social justice and feminist organizations, and the public.
- Facilitate and manage all aspects of the participation of NAWL leadership and National Steering Committee members in advocacy activities and events, including preparation of speaking notes and presentations.
- Working with the Head of Communications, manage the monitoring and content quality control of NAWL’s public legal education resources, including its micro-websites Money and the Law Guide and Feminist Law Reform 101.
- Working with the Executive Director and other staff, identify funding opportunities; assist with the drafting of funding proposals and reports relating to the organisation’s advocacy work; and manage grants related to advocacy.
- Collaborate with NAWL’s Head of Communications and fundraising staff to ensure strategic alignment, identify cross-cutting initiatives and opportunities, execute coherent campaigns and ensure accountability and results.
- Contribute to the preparation and drafting of materials to support the organization’s communications strategy.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION:
- Law degree required.
- Graduate studies in feminist legal theory, constitutional law, considered an asset.
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum 6 years’ experience in feminist policy, law/litigation or academia will be considered an asset. Equivalencies will be considered.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- This is a bilingual position; proficient written and oral communication skills in either French or English and functional ability in the other is required.
- Strong commitment to intersectional feminism and knowledge of key intersectional feminist human rights issues in Canada.
- Experience leading or engaging in feminist processes and working with feminist or social justice organizations.
- Experience developing and managing efforts to influence lawmakers and/or policy makers.
- Feminist, intersectional and gender equality subject matter expertise.
- Strong analytical, writing, editing and oral communication skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders.
- Creative, energetic and innovative approach to identifying advocacy strategies.
- Effective as a collaborator internally within the organization and externally with partners and in coalition work.
- Ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy.
- Proven ability to build and cultivate strong relationships.
- Litigation experience, including interventions, considered an asset.
- Managerial experience, including in areas such as finance, governance and/or human resources considered an asset.
- Demonstrable experience navigating law reform processes on Parliament Hill considered an asset.
- Demonstrable expertise in at least one of NAWL’s 3 key priority areas considered an asset.
- Self-reflective, passion for our mission and aligned with NAWL values.
TERMS:
- This position is a full-time contract with an anticipated start date of early July 2022 and ending March 31st, 2024. Possibility of contract renewal subject to funding.
- A competitive salary range: $75, 000 – $90, 000.
- Competitive benefits package, including:
- Eligibility to join NAWL’s Group Insurance Plan
- RRSP contributions
- Annual Cost of Living adjustment
- Competitive vacation, sick day and personal day policy
- The NAWL office is located in Ottawa, on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People.
- You must be eligible to work in Canada and available to work within ground travel distance to Ottawa since advocacy on Parliament Hill is our focus.
- COVID- 19 related precautions are practiced in the NAWL office.
- There may be exciting travel opportunities, within Canada, involving feminist organizing and/or issues campaigning.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Apply by May 24th, 2022.
- Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Please send a letter of interest (that specifically addresses how your skills and experience meet the qualifications required for this position) and CV to the attention of the Executive Director at info@nawl.ca. Please ensure you put “Head of Feminist Law Reform” in the subject line of the email.
- NAWL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. NAWL is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all areas of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process, please make your needs known in advance. Accommodation requests will be provided on an individual basis.
- Research tells us that male-identified candidates apply to jobs when they meet less than 60% of the criteria, women and members of other historically marginalized groups, however, tend to only apply when they have 100% of the qualifications. If you do not have all of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply anyway!
- While NAWL is thankful to all applicants for submitting their candidacy for this position, only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.