Advocacy Program Director (Fundamental Freedoms) - Full-time

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is seeking a talented advocate to lead its Fundamental Freedoms Advocacy Program and direct CCLA’s advocacy in such areas as freedom of expression, protest rights, democratic rights, the rule of law, and government accountability; someone who is dedicated to standing with, and fighting for, the rights of individuals and groups in Canada.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is Canada’s national human rights and fundamental freedoms organization. We have been fighting for these rights and freedoms since 1964. CCLA intervenes in Canadian courts, testifies before legislatures, advocates through all media, and engages in activism, education, and outreach across the country for dignity and fundamental rights for all people in Canada.  We work to actively fight against injustice, such as racial profiling by police, privacy invasions by government, prolonged solitary confinement, abortion access restrictions, unfairness in the criminal system, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Along with the American Civil Liberties Union, CCLA is a member of INCLO, a network of 15 independent, national human rights organizations around the world.

We are looking for an Advocacy Program Director (Fundamental Freedoms) who will:

  • Be responsible for identifying and monitoring significant issues and developments, with respect to freedom of expression, protest rights, democratic rights, the rule of law, and government accountability across Canada, matters under s. 2 of the Charter, and related issues.
  • Set priorities, in consultation with the Executive Director & General Counsel (ED/GC), and determine, execute, or co-ordinate a strategy that may include litigation (public interest test cases, interventions, etc.); legislative advocacy, written and oral submissions to public agencies; public engagement; coalition work; research and reports; communications; or otherwise.
  • Act as an agent of the ED/GC by managing and stewarding all aspects of litigation for the Program including working with external pro bono counsel to establish policy positions and legal strategy, liaising with external pro bono counsel, and reviewing legal submissions.
  • Execute, provide and/or coordinate legal opinions, legal and policy research, oral and written submissions before administrative, executive and legislative bodies.
  • Provide and/or coordinate all oral and written communications for the Program, in collaboration with the Communications and Advancement teams, including web and social media posts, media releases, media appearances, op-eds, public statements.
  • Work collaboratively with CCLA’s other Program Directors, and also independently, to enhance CCLA’s strategic goals, and its public profile.
  • Maintain your own expertise and networks in order to keep the Program relevant and current.
  • Fulfil fundraising duties in collaboration with the Advancement team including participation in public events.
  • Assist with the Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust’s public educational work.
  • Supervise students.
  • Manage and execute discrete administrative projects or tasks or roles as required.

Salary

Salary is competitive with non-profit sector. CCLA is dedicated to equal pay principles. Compensation will be based on experience and expertise.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor or the equivalent, or a graduate degree in a relevant field. Membership in good standing with a Canadian law society is an asset.
  • Minimum 3-5 years’ relevant advocacy experience.
  • Knowledge of Canadian constitutional law and administrative law
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. French proficiency is an asset.
  • Proficiency in computer and digital workplace skills including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, open-source documents, Zoom), and online communication platforms.
  • A strong commitment to the mission of CCLA.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Statement

In keeping with CCLA’s ongoing efforts to represent the diversity of our communities, we are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to apply. You are invited to self-declare in the hiring process.  This self-declaration information can be factored into recruitment and selection decisions to address our ongoing commitment to representation, diversity, equity and inclusion.

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications and encourage people to apply even if they feel that the position would be a stretch.

How to Apply:

Please address your application to Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director & General Counsel, and send a cover letter, detailed resume and any references, in confidence, to hr@ccla.org.

Our application deadline is Thursday May 18th 2023. However, we will review applications earlier, as received, and will accept applications beyond the deadline until the position is filled.

Please refer to “Advocacy Program Director (Fundamental Freedoms)” in the subject line.

The Interview Process 

Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.

Location:

CCLA’s office is located in midtown Toronto.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Teacher-Manager: Rights-Based Education – Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust and Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Do you love teaching? Are you excited by the idea of working with new schools,  students and communities every week? 

Canada’s national human rights and civil liberties educational organization is seeking a Teacher-Manager to teach in and help coordinate CCLA/CCLET’s rights and freedoms education program. This unique program teaches learners of all kinds – including elementary and high school students, teachers, professionals, and marginalized community groups – to think critically about their own rights and freedoms and those of all people in Canada. In this way we reach over 10,000 students each year. 

About the CCLET and CCLA 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (“CCLET”) is a charitable organization, established in 1967 as the research and educational arm of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (“CCLA”) CCLET educates learners about their rights including those in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Through its range of educational programs, CCLET encourages participants of all ages and backgrounds to understand and think critically about human rights and civil liberties so that everyone can participate in our democracy.  

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is Canada’s national human rights and fundamental freedoms organization, fighting for human rights and fundamental freedoms since 1964. CCLA intervenes in Canadian courts, testifies before legislatures, advocates through all media, and engages in activism, education, and outreach across Canada for dignity and fundamental rights for all people in Canada. We work to actively fight against injustice, such as racial profiling by police, privacy invasions by government, prolonged solitary confinement, abortion access restrictions, unfairness in the criminal system, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), CCLA is a member of INCLO, a network of human rights organizations around the world. 

The Opportunity 

CCLET is seeking an Education Manager to teach, deliver and coordinate CCLET’s school and community-based programming. Our education and outreach projects offer engaging, non-partisan workshops on human rights, civil liberties, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and issues and controversies related to democratic societies, in schools, community settings, and Faculties of Education. Reporting to the Director of Education, you will be part of a team that includes CCLA and CCLET staff, and many dedicated volunteers. 

You thrive in an environment where you teach new groups of learners in different schools every week. You can handle multiple priorities and are highly organized. You are comfortable with multiple points of view, and you are detail-oriented. You are committed to the principles of human rights and citizenship education  

Key Responsibilities 

  • Deliver workshops for JK-Grade 12 classes (in particular Grade 10 Civics, and Grades 11 and 12 Law) 
  • Deliver workshops within a wide variety of communities 
  • Manage and coordinate workshops for the CCLA team and CCLET education team and correspond with teachers 
  • Deliver workshops for pre-service teacher candidates in Faculties of Education 
  • Deliver professional development workshops for teachers 
  • Develop print and web-based teaching materials and resources 
  • Network with educators and community organizations 
  • Track and manage program-related data 
  • Participate in program evaluation 
  • Work with team to plan and deliver conferences and educational events 
  • Other tasks as required

Key Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent 
  • Bachelor of Education or significant experience teaching 
  • Legal education or experience is considered a bonus 
  • Comfort speaking and presenting in French is a bonus 
  • Passion for and demonstrated interest in human rights and civil liberties, in particular as expressed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 
  • Experience facilitating lively and engaging discussions with a wide range of audiences, from kindergarten to adults 
  • Comfort with leading conversation on controversial topics, with engaging a diverse community of learners, with teaching critical thinking and supporting civic engagement 
  • The ability to think critically, and understand more than one point of view to support debate and dissent; comfort with engaging people to listen to ideas that are not their own 
  • Proficiency in computer and digital workplace skills, in particular Microsoft Office 
  • Exemplary organizational skills 
  • Excellent communication and writing skills 
  • Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a vehicle are required 
  • Can accommodate overnight travel as described below 

Salary 

Salary for this position will be based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, including lived experience. The range is from approx. $65,000- $75,000.  

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Statement 

In keeping with CCLA’s ongoing efforts to represent the diversity of our communities, we strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to apply. You are invited to self-declare in the hiring process. This self-declaration information can be factored into recruitment and selection decisions to address our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications and encourage people to apply even if they feel that the position would be a stretch.  

How to Apply 

We look forward to hearing from qualified candidates for this fantastic opportunity. Please address your application to Nat Paul, Director of Education, and send a single pdf file comprising cover letter, detailed resumé and any references, in confidence to: npaul@ccla.org.  

Please refer to “Teacher-Manager” in the subject line.   

Please Note 

Applications will be carefully considered when they are received. We anticipate closing applications April 28th but will be happy to accept applications after that date and until the position is filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

The Interview Process 

Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process. 

Location 

CCLA’s office is located in midtown Toronto. This position involves substantial travel in particular in the GTA, as well as to some locations in Ontario and a few across Canada. You will be home for dinner most nights, with overnight travel (usually 1 or 2 nights) around 6 times a year.