Acting Advocacy Program Director (Privacy, Technology & Surveillance) - Full-time, contract position

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is seeking a talented advocate to lead its Advocacy Program in a contract position in the area of Privacy, Technology and Suveillance; 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 Acting Advocacy Program Director (Privacy, Technology & Surveillance) available for a 10-12 month contract who will:

  • Be responsible for identifying and monitoring significant issues, developments, and egregious violations with respect to privacy, technology and surveillance across Canada.
  • 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 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 public and private sector privacy law and experience assessing social and legal impacts of technologies is a significant asset.
  • 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 10 AM on Monday April 3rd, 2023. However, we will review applications as received, and will keep the position open until it is filled.

Please refer to “Advocacy Program Director (Privacy, Technology & Surveillance)” 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. There is some flexibility for hybrid work. This is not a remote position; however special circumstances will be considered.

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

Education Coordinator – Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust and Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Canada’s national human rights and civil liberties educational organization is seeking an Education Coordinator to teach in and help coordinate 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. CCLET reaches over 10,000 students each year.

Please note

Applications will be considered as they are received. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on February 7th, 2023, but will be considered until the position is filled.

About the CCLET and CCLA

The Canadian Civil Liberties Education Trust (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 Education Trust (“CCLET”) is a charitable organization, established in 1967 as the research and educational arm of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (“CCLA”)

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 Coordinator to teach, deliver and coordinate CCLET’s school and community-based programming. CCLET’s education and outreach projects offer engaging, nonpartisan 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 every day is different, you can handle multiple priorities and are highly organized, you are comfortable with multiple points of view, you are detail-oriented, and have an “all hands-on deck” mentality.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver workshops for JK-Grade 12 classes (in particular Grade 10 Civics, and Grades 11 and 12 Law)
  • Manage and coordinate workshops for the CCLA/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 is considered a bonus
  • French proficiency as required to deliver workshops to French-speaking audiences such as immersion classes and recent newcomers to Canada
  • Passion for teaching human rights and civil
  • Experience facilitating lively and engaging discussions with a wide range of audiences, from kindergarten to adults
  • Demonstrated interest in human rights and civil liberties, in particular as expressed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Comfort with leading conversation on controversial topics, and with engaging a diverse community of learners
  • 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
  • Experience working with marginalized communities; cultural sensitivity; LGBTQ+ positivity
  • Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a vehicle
  • 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. $50,000- $65,000

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.

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.

While our application deadline is 12 noon on February 7th, 2023, we will review applications as received, and will keep the position open until it is filled.

Please refer to “Education Coordinatorin 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. This position involves some 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.