Position Type: Permanent
Status: Full-Time
Location: Remote Based, within commuting distance to Victoria, BC
Date Posted: December 9, 2020
Closing Date: January 3, 2021
An exciting opportunity has opened up to join Ecojustice in the role of BC Legislative Affairs Specialist. As part of Ecojustice’s law reform team, the Legislative Affairs Specialist will apply their proven ability to navigate and influence political, legislative and public administration systems to advance law and policy reforms that set BC on course to a resilient, just and sustainable future.
A strategic-thinker, relationship-builder and natural collaborator, you will leverage the expertise of Ecojustice lawyers, engage with elected officials and senior bureaucrats, and build and strengthen coalitions of ENGOs and other allies to deliver on Ecojustice’s provincial law reform priorities. This role is remote based, but with day-to-day work focused in and around the BC Legislature, the BC Legislative Affairs Specialist must live within a reasonable commute of Victoria.
About Ecojustice:
Working with Ecojustice means joining a team of passionate, hard-working professionals. We strive to build a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, with a workforce that is reflective of modern Canada and where all employees are valued for their contributions to our mission.
Ecojustice is 100 per cent funded by individuals and organizations who share our values. To learn more about how we are building the case for a better earth, please visit: www.ecojustice.ca.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Ecojustice:
Ecojustice is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We will prioritize applications from individuals with relevant technical skills and who have personal or lived experiences of environmental racism and injustice and/or identify as Indigenous, Black, Asian, Latinx, LGBTQ2S+, or as a member of an underrepresented community.
Salary and Benefits:
Ecojustice offers a comprehensive total compensation package, which includes:
- Extended health and dental coverage for employees and their dependents;
- RSP matching program;
- Wellness spending account for every employee
- Family friendly workplace policies, including a generous annual vacation allowance (starting at 3 weeks and increasing to 6 weeks), annual Care Days for physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and caring responsibilities, Winter office closure, annual paid float days, parental leave top-ups, monthly personal paid time off, and a workplace culture with an emphasis on work life balance;
- Volunteering incentives, to enable all employees to give back to the communities and causes that they are passionate about.
About the Role:
As a member of the Ecojustice Program team, the Legislative Affairs Specialist plays a key role in:
Constantly scanning and assessing the provincial political and policy context to identify, assess and prioritize law reform opportunities in BC.
Working with the Director to define short- and long-term law reform objectives for BC, leveraging the expertise of program staff (i.e., lawyers and staff scientists) and external experts to develop substantive proposals for new or updated laws, regulations, policies and governance.
Designing and implementing strategies, in collaboration with Ecojustice program and communications staff, that integrate government and stakeholder relations, partnerships and coalition-building, and communications and public mobilization to build awareness, shift political opinion and influence decisions on environmental law and policy.
Building and sustaining working relationships with elected officials, political staff and the public service.
Establishing, leading and engaging in coalitions and collaborations with traditional and non-traditional allies and public policy influencers.
Strengthening Ecojustice’s work as an ally of Indigenous communities by building mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, nations and organizations.
Contributing to the development of Ecojustice’s overall law reform strategy and practice.
Raising the profile of Ecojustice’s law reform priorities internally and externally through speaking engagements and presentations at workshops, symposiums, and community meetings, and engaging in philanthropy opportunities.
Note: This job may require other responsibilities and duties as assigned by Ecojustice
About You:
Education & experience requirements
- 5+ years of experience in government relations, stakeholder engagement and coalition-building with a proven track record advancing environmental law and policy outcomes.
- Background in political science, environmental studies, law, or related discipline.
- Experience developing high-impact relationships and results-driven collaborative initiatives.
- Self-motivated, thrives under pressure, sets clear priorities, and efficiently manages time and resources.
- Experience building relationships with Indigenous communities, nations, and organizations.
- Knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform duties
Demonstrated knowledge of current issues and opportunities in environmental, sustainability and Indigenous law and policy in BC, the parts of the BC public service that impact the environment, and the landscape of environmental NGOs in the province.
Practical understanding of, and experience with, legislative and policy-making processes of governments, and the role of NGOs, the public and other actors in influencing those processes.
Proven ability to develop, sustain and leverage a diverse network of relationships with elected officials, the public service and public policy influencers.
Exceptional communications skills, with demonstrated ability to quickly and accurately distill and translate complex subject matter into persuasive written and verbal communications for a range of audiences (e.g., briefing notes, key messages, speaking points, opinion editorials, blog posts, etc.). Experience with media relations an asset.
Comfortable working both independently and in a team environment, across disciplines, with individuals across the organization.
Sound strategic decision-making skills, good judgment and uses discretion in dealing with sensitive information.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit their cover letter and resume online at: www.ecojustice.ca/careers no later than January 3rd, 2021.
If you have any questions about this role, please contact Michele Hooey, People & Culture Advisor, by email at mhooey@ecojustice.ca
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