Human Rights Law and Policy Campaigner

Human Rights Law and Policy Campaigner

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

Duration: Permanent

Location: Ottawa or Toronto - Hybrid

Salary: $73,636 per annum

Travel: Some travel required between Ottawa and Toronto office

Deadline: Applications are accepted until 5pm (eastern time) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Union: Unifor Local 567

Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking) also known as AICSES is looking for a Human Rights Law and Policy Campaigner to develop and implement AIC’s long-term and annual plans on the application of international human rights law in priority areas, specifically related to the rights of refugees and migrants.

Reporting to the Programs Manager (Campaigns & Advocacy), and working alongside the Secretary General, this role will contribute to the development of Amnesty International’s global policies and in determining whether and how to translate these into AIC advocacy, campaigns, and activities. The successful candidate must bring a lens of anti-racism, anti-oppression, gender mainstreaming, intersectionality, inclusivity, and accessibility to external and internal work, to all interpersonal interactions and in line with any organization policies and protocols. In addition, this role works closely with interns, consultants, legal fellows, or office volunteers, and supports with assigning tasks, advising on their content, and monitoring the work to completion.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Strategic litigation:

- Support the legal work for the Branch which includes court interventions, helping to liaise with Amnesty’s pro bono lawyers and the International Secretariat in preparing litigation, helping to support Articling students and legal interns, supporting the development of legal strategies, and supporting the drafting of legal documents; if eligibility requirements are met, this role may serve as the Articling Principal
- Undertake casework to assist refugee claimants who fall within Amnesty’s mandate and to assist Canadians detailed abroad
- Act as primary Branch Liaison with the relevant International Secretariat teams.

Research, Advocacy and Government Engagement:

- Undertake ongoing monitoring and analysis of relevant information from the International Secretariat, the media, relevant Canadian networks and partners, and governments and other official documents, to inform and regularly update campaign plans, specifically related to the rights of refugees and migrants
- At times conduct secondary and primary research as an evidence-base for campaigning in support of Operational Plans and branch strategic goals
- Monitor the human rights violations experienced by refugees and migrants in Canada, including reviewing parliamentary debates, government statements, media articles and submissions by civil society organizations to United Nations bodies
- Lead Amnesty Canada’s advocacy efforts surrounding refugees and migrants, and engage with government representatives, civil society organizations and grassroots activists
- Prepare briefings, reports, or submissions in support of key cases and themes in our work on refugees and migrants
- Contribute to a government engagement strategy for the campaigns division, participate in meetings with federal, provincial and territorial governments, organize letter writing campaigns targeting government officials, and develop evidence-informed recommendations with rights-holders
- Track human rights violations related to refugees and migrants in Canada and draft submissions for international human rights treaty bodies and other human rights mechanisms
- Prepare, where necessary, high-level advocacy briefings, reports or submissions in support of key cases and thematic areas of work, amplifying the voices of rights-holders
- Serve as an organizational spokesperson in the implementation of the above plans, in terms of preparing issues briefs and appearing before committees of Parliament and the Senate, holding meetings with individuals and groups of interested Members of Parliament and Senators, offering media interviews, speaking to a variety of external audiences, and participating actively in relevant coalitions and networks in Canada and at times internationally

Connecting movements:

- Lead on the Branch’s engagement with rights holders and civil society organizations to develop solidarity on the rights of refugees and migrants, and in support of other strategic litigation cases
- Organize events, convene and facilitate coalitions and networks on refugee and migrants’ rights to build solidarity on shared advocacy messages and joint advocacy and mobilization activities.

Engaging the base and mobilizing the public:

- In collaboration with the mobilization division, co-create the development of campaign strategies to mobilize AIC’s membership and members of the public on priority issues as noted above
- Identify and develop action opportunities and content for a variety of audiences and methods of engagement, including advising and providing content for the Branch’s website or social media channels
- Collaborate with the mobilization and communications teams in developing social media posts, e-actions, open letters, media articles, and blog posts, and contribute to newsletters, e-magazines and other public engagement assets
- Engage meaningfully with volunteer structures, including fieldworkers, specialized teams and coordinators, in mobilization campaigns
- Develop content for Branch publications, including but not limited to the annual Human Rights Agenda for Canada and Activism Guide
- Respond to enquiries from members, the press and the public as needed
- Collaborate with the fundraising division, meet with donors, and prepare briefings for volunteers

Other responsibilities:

- As part of the Campaigns Team, prepare an annual draft operational plan and budget for the above-noted job functions. Regularly assess work and expenses against approved plans and budgets
- Participate in and support the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the above-noted areas of work under the direction of the Campaigns Manager and Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, and with other staff, Managers or Directors as appropriate
- Periodically review the work of interns, fellows, or office volunteers
- Ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and anti-oppression principles and practices are regularly considered and integrated into strategic litigation, as well as refugee and migrant rights-related strategies and materials
- Ensure that DEI and anti-oppression principles are reflected in day-to-day interactions with colleagues, rightsholders, members, donors, and supporters.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE

Amnesty International Canada is seeking an individual who can contribute to the diversity of Amnesty’s workforce and its inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices. The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications and competencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Current member of the Law Society of Ontario is required;
- LL.B. or J.D. degree (or equivalent from another country);
- Eligible to serve as an articling principal with the Law Society of Ontario considered an asset;
- Undergraduate degree with general or specialized background in human rights;
- 3-5 years of equivalent experience and education working with an NGO with campaigning or advocacy focus OR university degree with some general or specialized background in human rights with minimum 2-3 years of experience in a relevant position;
- Knowledge of international human rights law and related international bodies, mechanisms and policies, and their application in Canada, particularly in the areas of the rights of refugees and migrants;
- Knowledge of core human rights issues related to the rights of refugees and migrants in a broad range of regions and countries;
- Knowledge of and relationship with civil society and social justice movements, networks, and stakeholders in relevant areas;
- Experience applying an intersectional gender-based (GBA+) lens is an asset;
- Knowledge, training and experience in intersectionality, anti-racism, anti-oppression, anti-Black racism, discrimination, and decolonizing practices.

COMPETENCIES

- Ability to think plan and communicate strategically, including advocacy and strategic thinking skills, and ability to collaborate with rights holders, partners, staff and members in developing strategy;
- Excellent communication skills necessary to act as a spokesperson for the Branch as appropriate, and work collaboratively with colleagues based in various locations across the country, region and world;
- Ability to write accurate and compelling content for a variety of audiences;
- Available to travel or work on evenings or weekends;
- Strong interpersonal skills including collaboration and consultation as part of a team;
- Proven ability to work successfully with a diverse population and in applying anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles;
- Proven commitment to self-development in the principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Proven ability to apply an intersectional lens to your work to achieve anti-oppression in practice;
- Ability to contribute to the diversity of Amnesty’s workforce and its inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices
- Passion for Amnesty International’s mission in the protection and promotion of human rights for all people

WHY WORK FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADA?

ABOUT US

Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million ordinary people in more than 150 countries who come together to achieve extraordinary results in defending and promoting human rights. We get discriminatory laws changed and prisoners of conscience released. We’ve helped stop torture, commute death sentences and worked to end violence against women. We are in solidarity with Indigenous peoples demanding that their rights be respected.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ANTI-RACISM, ANTI-OPPRESSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (ARAO-DEI)

Amnesty International Canada is committed to employment equity, actively seeks diversity in the workplace, and welcomes and encourages applications from members of equity seeking groups including women, transgender, non-binary, and LGBTI individuals; First Nations, Metis, and Inuit individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of racialized and marginalized groups. We believe our work is stronger when it benefits from the experience, knowledge and wisdom of people who have faced systemic barriers, and encourage applications from qualified candidates who have lived experience as a member of historically underrepresented communities.

AIC values qualified diverse candidates who bring skills that contribute to our anti-racist and anti-oppression transformational journey. At AIC, employees are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment and bring the knowledge, experience, and ability to incorporate anti-racism, anti-oppression, intersectionality, gender mainstreaming, inclusion, and accessibility practices to external and internal work and to all interpersonal interactions. Click to learn more about our Equity Journey.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Amnesty International Canada, we are passionate about what we do, and we are proud of our achievements as a movement. To compensate our employees for the critical work they undertake, we reward them with an attractive, sector competitive salary and benefits package plus the opportunity to develop professionally.

If you are talented, passionate about human rights and want to use your skills, knowledge, and experience to change the world, we encourage you to join us.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Together with your resume, please forward a 1-page cover letter (250 words maximum) that includes your responses to the following questions:

1. How do you relate to Amnesty International Canada’s mission?

2. How would your skills and experiences (personal and professional) translate into success in this position?

3. What does a commitment to ARAO and DEI mean or look like to you?

Applications must be submitted electronically through out Work With Us careers page.

We thank everyone for their expression of interest-and truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying-but with the limitation of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Amnesty International Canada is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process