Position Summary
Working with the Associate Director of Policy, Outreach, and Public Affairs, the Junior Policy Counsel is responsible for public affairs initiatives and advocacy with government and justice sector stakeholders.
The Junior Policy Counsel is responsible for every aspect of successful advocacy and public affairs initiatives within their portfolio, including working with section executives and working groups on identifying issues of importance to members and the profession, devising appropriate consultation and outreach opportunities, developing effective advocacy strategies and submissions, seeking OBA Board approval for policy positions, liaising with key decision makers, and communicating legislative and policy developments to the membership.
Job Responsibilities
General
- Maintain and build working relationships with OBA volunteers, members, practitioners, government and stakeholders of the organization and other legal community representatives.
- Monitor legal trends and engage in continuous gathering and analysis of information on (a) current legislative, judicial and practice developments in a range of practice areas, (b) current and emerging issues important to members and to the profession
- Conduct legal and other research for the development of policy positions and submissions.
- Participate in relevant Section Executive and Committee meetings to work with and support volunteers on planning and coordination of policy activities.
- Attend section executive meeting (remotely) where necessary for the effective development of policy and other products, as more fully described below.
Policy and Public Affairs
- Assisting Sections and Committees in advancing policy submissions, including establishing and co-ordinating working groups and task forces to develop and draft submissions responsive to practice and professionalism issues.
- Help leverage relationships with local law associations and community organizations to advance OBA partnerships, speaking and advocacy opportunities to expand the reach and impact of OBA member services.
- Facilitating and participating in advocacy related meetings between OBA representatives and key decision makers.
- Assisting with processes for member involvement in the Department of Policy and Public Affairs.
- Assisting the Manager of Communications and Information Services and Media and Communications Specialist to highlight departmental roles and successes.
- Liaising with Section and Committee Chairs and Public Affairs Liaisons, providing advice and assistance with the communication of approved briefs, submissions, and other "messages", to achieve maximum government and political exposure where appropriate, including writing news releases.
- Working with other PD & P Lawyers to write and distribute weekly legislative policy updates to update membership segments on key developments with major decision makers, and opportunities for participating in consultations and preparing submissions.
- Overseeing communications on policy matters between the OBA and government officials or other key decision makers.
- Contributing to MPP liaison activities to build constructive relationships and support OBA advocacy.
- Spearheading planning and writing submissions to key decision makers in furtherance of policy development and advocacy interests of the members.
- Assisting in the developing of written remarks and other products for the OBA members for a variety of events.
Qualifications
- Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, with five or more years of experience in practice, government, or advocacy roles in an association
- Experience in advocacy and government relations campaigns.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, interpersonal and conflict management skills
- Attentive to detail with excellent writing and editing skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to interface effectively with peers and clients in the legal community. Demonstrated research, decision-making, problem-solving, analytical, and conceptual abilities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and complete initiatives within short timelines.
- Ability to recruit and motivate volunteers and to generate topic ideas.
- Available to attend early morning, evening or occasional weekend meetings as needed.
- Established network of contacts at Queen’s Park, the Law Society, and other legal stakeholders is an asset.
- Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.
- Staff management experience is an asset.
- Policy experience is highly desirable.
This is an existing role with a salary range of $75,000 - $85,000