3 jobs found

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is committed to an inclusive selection process and work environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the Human Resources representative when you are invited to meet regarding this employment opportunity.   Diversity Statement Qualified persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference in accordance with s.16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act. About the AFN The AFN is an advocacy organization that takes direction and fulfills mandates as directed by First Nations in-Assembly through resolutions. As a national advocacy organization for First Nations, the AFN seeks to advance First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights through the development of policy, public education, and, where applicable, the co-development of legislation to build First Nations capacity. The AFN was created out of a desire among First Nations leadership for a strong and effective collective advocacy organization. From this, values such as respect for human rights, diversity, justice, and the sovereignty of each rights-holding First Nation guide the work of the organization. Why Work with AFN? At the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), we value our employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, engaging, and rewarding workplace. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy: Employer-Paid Health Benefit Premiums – Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family, with premiums fully paid by AFN. Generous Pension Matching – A competitive pension plan with significant employer contributions to help you build your future. Ample Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days – Generous vacation entitlements, paid sick leave, and personal days, plus additional non-legislative time off throughout the year. Professional Development Support – Coverage for courses, certifications, and training to help you grow your skills and advance your career. Wellness Funds – Annual funds you can use towards fitness, mental health supports, or other wellness-related expenses. Modern, Central Location – Our bright, collaborative office is located in the Sun Life Building in downtown Ottawa, with Parliament LRT Station right in the building for an easy commute. Convenient Amenities – Steps away from cafes, restaurants, and shops. Meaningful Work – Be part of a national organization advocating for First Nations, making a positive difference for communities across Canada. Collaborative & Inclusive Culture – Work alongside passionate, dedicated colleagues in a supportive and dynamic environment.     Position Overview The AFN is seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to serve as the senior legal advisor to the organization and a key member of the executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the General Counsel leads the Legal Sector and is responsible for overseeing all legal services and providing expert legal advice to the National Chief, Executive Committee, and AFN Secretariat. The General Counsel plays a critical role in aligning legal work with AFN’s political mandates and priorities. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading legal strategy, managing complex litigation and legal risk, supporting organizational governance, and ensuring AFN’s legal positions reflect and protect the rights, interests, and priorities of First Nations across Canada.   Key Responsibilities Legal Advisor & Executive Counsel Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, National Chief, and Executive Committee. Advise on legal issues related to Indigenous rights, constitutional law, administrative law, governance, employment, and contracts. Interpret and provide legal advice on Chiefs-in-Assembly Resolutions, policies, and governance frameworks. Assess and manage legal risks and support strategic decision-making across the organization.     Legal Sector Leadership Lead and mentor a high-performing Legal team by managing staff, supporting development, and overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, and reporting. Convene and lead Legal Sector meetings and contribute to all-staff and director-level strategic meetings. Ensure legal operations align with AFN's political and organizational objectives. Provide legal advice and assistance during Annual General Assemblies and Special Chiefs Assemblies.   Litigation Oversight Represent the AFN in complex litigation and manage external counsel in litigation matters. Lead development of litigation strategies and oversee pleadings, affidavits, factums, and submissions. Draft and supervise preparation of court materials and responses to national legal issues.   Internal Collaboration and Organizational Support Review and approve legal agreements, contracts, MOUs, and funding agreements. Collaborate with AFN Sectors including HR on employment law matters, and advise Finance, Communications, and Policy sectors on legal implications in their work. Support internal policy compliance and corporate governance activities.   External Engagement and Advocacy Represent AFN in legal, governmental, and advocacy forums, including parliamentary committees, inquiries, and policy panels. Build and maintain strong relationships with First Nations leadership and community legal representatives. Draft and review speaking notes, briefing notes, memos, and reports for the National Chief, Executive, and Assembly meetings. Contribute to public understanding of First Nations legal issues and AFN’s work through strategic communications.   Governance and Legislative Affairs Monitor, analyze, and interpret relevant legislation and jurisprudence affecting First Nations and AFN’s mandate. Provide leadership on legal policy development, treaty implementation, and nation-to-nation governance frameworks. Deliver training and build legal literacy within AFN and among First Nations partners.   Communications and Records Management Oversee the preparation and filing of legal records and sector documentation in AFN’s records management system (e.g., Laserfiche). Support knowledge transfer across the Legal Sector and provide legal literacy resources to staff. Ensure legal updates are communicated in both official languages and on schedule.     Qualifications Education and Certification LL.B. or J.D. from a recognized Canadian law school. Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) or eligible for transfer.     Experience Minimum 10 years of progressive legal experience. Demonstrated litigation experience, especially in Indigenous, constitutional, or administrative law. Experience working with or advising First Nations governments, organizations, or communities. Proven experience managing legal teams and developing organizational legal strategy.

Position Summary Reporting to the Executive Director, Advocacy, the Advocacy Lawyer monitors, identifies, and evaluates trends and issues in the legal profession. The successful candidate will liaise, develop, and manage projects with CBA constituent bodies, monitor federal legislative and policy development activities, and liaise with government officials, Parliamentary staff, and CBA members on policy initiatives. The successful candidate will coordinate cross-functionally with CBA and Branch staff for CBA responses to those initiatives. Location 66 Slater Street, Suite 1200, Ottawa, ON Languages Bilingualism is required (English and French) Annual Salary $123,377.83 per year ($70.30 per hour) Responsibilities Monitors, identifies, and evaluates trends and issues in the legal profession and related professions Develops, manages, coordinates, and assists on Advocacy Department projects and initiatives, and substantive issues arising from the mandate of Board Committees, Subcommittees, and Task Forces, as assigned Monitors federal legislation and law reform initiatives Develops and maintains effective contacts with federal officials, Parliamentary staff, and other relevant organizations Advises CBA Sections, Subcommittees, and Task Forces on legislative and policy initiatives within their respective mandates and develops government relations plans Coordinates CBA responses to federal government initiatives, writing and editing submissions, advising on potential political implications for the CBA, and briefing CBA members on government relations and appearances before Parliamentary Committees Monitors outcome of submissions and advises on follow-up responses Advises Communications staff for media relations relating to law reform initiatives Attends meetings and represents the CBA in substantive consultations Responds to requests from CBA members, media, and the public on an ad hoc basis Acts as liaison to Board Subcommittees and Task Forces, as assigned Prepares briefing materials and communications for CBA Board and Committee members Attends Section, Committee, Subcommittee, Task Force, and Association meetings, as assigned Other related duties as assigned Qualifications Education Bachelor of Laws (LLB or BCL) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited university and membership in a provincial or territorial law society in Canada Experience Experience in project management, preferably in a law firm or volunteer-driven professional association Experience in research and policy analysis and analyzing complex legal issues Five years called to the bar Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Excellent written and oral communication skills in both official languages Knowledge of law firm or in-house legal department environment in the private, public, or voluntary sector Knowledge of federal government legislative and policy-making processes Knowledge of Canadian Parliamentary processes Ability to work as a team member, with groups and partners with opposing views Ability to multi-task and work with minimal supervision Ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced and time-constrained environment Highly effective interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy Availability for weekend meetings and ability to travel Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest; however, we will only contact those under consideration. All applicants are encouraged to join the CBA Talent Community which establishes a list that may be considered for similar positions of various tenures. The CBA is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in its learning, work environments, and in its operations. We encourage applications from traditionally marginalized groups. We believe in and promote the rights of all persons with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA 2005) and its related Accessibility Standards Regulations. To meet this obligation, the CBA will make appropriate accommodations available upon request. Please inform the CBA, in advance, of the need for accommodation(s) during the recruitment and selection process to ensure your equal participation. Requests can be made by email to hr (@) cba.org. No agencies, please.

How will you contribute? As Parliamentary Counsel, you will assist the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the Senate of Canada in rendering legal services to the Senate, its committees, individual senators and the Senate Administration. Your work will help with the development of a wide variety of initiatives related to advising stakeholders on laws, procedures, customs and usages of Parliament as well as the privileges, immunities and powers of the Senate and its members.   Open to   The general public to staff one (1) determinate position for a period of 21 months in the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.   Prerequisites   Possess a law degree from a recognized University; Be a member in good standing in a Law Society of one of the Provinces or Territories of Canada, or in the Chambre des notaires du Québec; Minimum of five (5) years of recent experience in legislative drafting or advisory services in at least two of the following subject areas: constitutional law, administrative law, parliamentary law, labour and employment law, contracting and procurement law, or other areas of public law; Knowledge of the role and mandate of the Senate of Canada and the role of the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; In-depth knowledge of Canadian law and its theories, principles and concepts and the ability to provide strategic legal and policy advice on employment and labour matters, contracting and procurement matters, access to information and privacy, copyright and other legal matters; Ability to draft legal opinions and other legal documents, including bills and amendments to bills; Ability to conduct legal research, analyze disparate and complex factual information, and interpret jurisprudence and legislation.   Linguistic Requirements : CCC   Conseiller / Conseillère parlementaire   Votre contribution   En tant que conseiller parlementaire, vous aiderez le légiste et conseiller parlementaire du Sénat du Canada à fournir des services juridiques au Sénat, à ses comités, aux sénateurs et à l’Administration du Sénat. Votre travail contribuera à un large éventail de projets consistant à conseiller des intervenants en matière de droit, de procédures, de pratiques et d’usages du Parlement, et au sujet des privilèges, des immunités et des pouvoirs dont jouissent le Sénat et les sénateurs.   Admissibilité   Ce processus de sélection est ouvert au grand public pour doter un (1) poste de durée déterminée pour une période de 21 mois au sein du Bureau de légiste et conseiller parlementaire.   Conditions préalables   Diplôme en droit d’une université reconnue; Statut de membre en règle du barreau d’une province ou d’un territoire du Canada ou de la Chambre des notaires du Québec; Minimum de cinq (5) années d’expérience récente dans la rédaction de textes législatifs ou la prestation de services consultatifs dans au moins deux des domaines suivants : droit constitutionnel, droit administratif, droit parlementaire, droit du travail et de l’emploi, droit des contrats et des marchés publics, ou autres domaines du droit public; Connaissance du rôle et du mandat du Sénat du Canada ainsi que du rôle du Bureau du légiste et conseiller parlementaire; Connaissance approfondie du droit canadien et de ses théories, principes et concepts, et capacité de fournir des conseils juridiques et politiques stratégiques sur des questions diverses : emploi et travail, contrats et marchés publics, accès à l’information et protection de la vie privée, droits d’auteur, et autres questions juridiques; Capacité de rédiger des avis juridiques et d’autres documents de nature juridique, dont des projets de loi et des amendements à des projets de loi; Capacité d’effectuer des recherches juridiques, d’analyser des données factuelles variées et complexes, et d’interpréter la jurisprudence et les lois.