Come join our dynamic feminist team! The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing substantive equality for all women in Canada through law reform, particularly at the federal level. Our work addresses many areas of women’s rights, including violence against women, reproductive justice, climate justice, and women’s economic empowerment. In 2024, we celebrate 50 years of feminist legal leadership. We are proud to have had a major role in achieving significant milestones for women’s rights, and for our advocacy to have impacted numerous laws and policies across the country. A key focus over the next two years will be to emphasize women's economic security and prosperity, and ensuring that policies account for the unique challenges faced by low-income women, racialized women, and those living with disabilities.
Job summary
The new hire will work closely with, and report to, NAWL’s Director of Legal Affairs in research, advocacy and stakeholder relations to advance NAWL’s feminist law reform mission.
This is a full-time contract with an anticipated start in the summer of 2024 and ending March 31st, 2026. Possibility of contract renewal subject to funding.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct research and prepare briefs and memos on current and emerging law reform issues
- Engage and consult with experts and key stakeholders and develop NAWL’s intersectional positions
- Work with the Director of Legal Affairs to improve NAWL’s feminist law reform education tools, such as NAWL’s free online course, and deliver law reform training to students, partners and other stakeholders
- Study bills, research issues, and propose recommendations for upcoming legislation
- Supervise student interns and volunteers
- Assist with grant proposals
- Draft op-eds on NAWL’s priority issues
- Work closely with NAWL’s Director of Communications and Development to communicate NAWL’s legal work in an accessible manner
- Create an expert working group on women’s economic empowerment and, with the working group, identify priority areas for advocacy for women, including low-income, racialized, and disabled women.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and qualifications
- Law degree (graduate studies an asset)
- Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience
- Excellent writing skills in at least English or French (fluency in both languages an asset)
- Excellent speaking skills in at least English or French (fluency in both languages an asset)
- Excellent understanding of feminist issues and the social justice sector (expertise in at least one of the following areas an asset: climate / environmental law, poverty law, women’s economic empowerment, legislation and regulation, reproductive justice, family law. If you have expertise in a particular area of federal law, indicate it in your cover letter)
- Expertise in racial justice and/or disability rights an asset
- Demonstrated legal creativity an asset
- Demonstrated ability to quickly understand and develop arguments around complex issues an asset
- Experience in media relations, public speaking, legal education or lobbying an asset
Work environment and work conditions
- As a feminist employer, NAWL offers a 4-day workweek
- Work hours are flexible
- Indicate in your application if you are based in, or willing to relocate to, the Ottawa region, and if you are able to work in-person at NAWL’s Ottawa office two days per week. Fully remote work may be possible for the right candidate.
- You may occasionally have to work outside of normal work hours (for example, evening meetings or events, weekend staff retreat).
- You may have to travel within Canada, unless it is not possible due to your circumstances
Compensation, vacations and benefits
- The salary range for this position is $80, 000 – $82, 000 annually, based on qualifications and experience.
- NAWL offers a competitive paid vacation package, including 20 paid vacation days annually and an office closure the last week of the year.
- Competitive benefits package
Equal opportunity
NAWL values the unique skills and experiences each individual has to offer and we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation to participate fully in our recruitment processes, please let us know when we contact you.
NAWL is an equal opportunity employer seeking to live its values in all we do. We are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized persons, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to consider working with and for NAWL. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications, and therefore we seek to use employment equity to evaluate candidates who meet the required qualifications.
If you are comfortable doing so, you are encouraged in your cover letter to identify as a member of an equity-deserving group.
Women and gender-diverse individuals often hesitate to apply when they do not meet 100% of the posted criteria. If you believe you would be a good match, please apply indicating your strengths and opportunities for growth, even if you don’t have every skill we are looking for.
How to apply
Please submit your application on our website.
Please include:
- a cover letter of up to two pages explaining your most relevant experiences and how you meet the requirements for this position. If you are fluent in both official languages, you may submit a bilingual cover letter. In your cover letter, indicate where you are based and if you are available for an in-person or online interview.
- a complete CV
- two writing samples in English and/or French
Applications will be received on a rolling basis and evaluated starting June 3rd, 2024 and until the position is filled. If applying after June 17th, you may reach out to enquire if we are still receiving applications.
Candidates whose applications pass the screening process will be asked to do an evaluation assignment which may take the form of written work or a presentation. Additionally, an interview and reference check will take place.