Articling law Opportunity

Fonction et information générale

For Articling Year: -

Application Deadline: June 28, (5pm EST)

About The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights

The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) is one of Canada’s oldest charities working to advance the right to adequate housing. Founded in , CCHR has worked tirelessly for over thirty years at the intersection of human rights and housing and is one of Canada’s leading NGOs working in the area of social and economic rights. CCHR works to advance the right to adequate housing by:

• Serving clients to help them stay housed: CCHR provides free services to tenants facing eviction and human rights violations in their housing, and we are experts in these fields. Each year we provide services to over one thousand tenants and we are highly effective in ensuring that some of the most vulnerable Ontario renters remain in their homes.

• Providing education and training about housing rights: CCHR provides public education and training on housing rights and human rights in housing to diverse groups across Ontario, reaching approximately 1, people annually. We work with community partners to train individuals and communities about their housing rights and how to assert them, and we engage with landlords to educate them about their obligations as housing providers.

• Advancing rights-based housing policy: CCHR advances rights-based housing policy through research, policy development, advocacy and litigation. Notable achievements include setting a legal precedent preventing landlords from discriminating against renters who receive social assistance, launching a constitutional challenge against the federal government for failing to take action against homelessness, and coordinating the Right to Housing Toronto Network (R2HTO).

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and committed aspiring lawyer and public policy professional to join our growing team to help us in our ambitious goal of advancing the right to housing for all Canadians.

You will report to the Director of Client Services and the Director of Policy and Law Reform, and split your time between these areas of CCHR’s work by serving clients, developing and delivering public education, and supporting CCHR’s policy advocacy in support of advancing rights-based housing policy. You will work with a diverse group of legal and policy professionals with whom you will collaborate and learn. During your time with CCHR, you can expect to develop skills in serving clients, legal and policy research and advocacy, community engagement, public education and communications.

Your responsibilities will include:

Serving clients through casework
CCHR provides assistance to tenants facing eviction or discrimination in housing through telephone and web-based eviction prevention services. You will support the program in the following ways:
• Providing legal information related to the eviction process, eviction prevention and human rights in housing over the phone and via online channels, including identifying legal issues not identified by clients.
• Providing ongoing assistance and case management services to clients facing discrimination and requiring human rights-related accommodations.
• Advocating (both orally and in writing) with housing providers or their representatives on behalf of renters.
• Keeping accurate, up-to-date case notes, including statistical data, and entering data into relevant data management systems.
• Providing appropriate referrals to other services that can help clients.
• Performing other duties as may be assigned from time to time to support clients and the program.

Public Legal Education

• Engaging in and supporting CCHR’s community outreach efforts, including building and maintaining relationships with community partners including but not limited to other service providers, housing providers, and non-profit organizations.
• Developing public education materials and programming to educate individuals and communities about their housing rights and the right to housing.
• Facilitating workshops and conducting presentations and information sessions.
• Performing other duties as may be assigned to support CCHR’s strategic litigation and public education efforts.

Law Reform and Advocacy

• Monitoring policy developments at the municipal, provincial, federal, and international level related to advancing the right to housing and other aspects of CCHR’s mandate.
• Supporting CCHR’s policy research, development, and analysis efforts, including the development of policy positions and recommendations to government and other stakeholders.
• Researching and producing written reports, briefing notes and policy submissions on legal and policy issues related to the right to housing for diverse audiences.
• Drafting reports, factsheets, briefing notes and other communications content such articles.
• Preparing policy and law reform proposals in collaboration with team members and external partners and stakeholders.
• Providing advice to management to support CCHR’s policy strategy and advance the right to housing.
• Performing other duties as may be assigned to support CCHR’s policy efforts, the organization, Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Exigences Required qualifications and skills:

• Completed law degree and eligibility for Articles, in accordance with the requirements of the Law Society of Ontario.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with an ability to communicate directly with diverse service users and the general public.
• Outstanding legal and policy research skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income or marginalized populations.
• Strong customer service orientation when working with clients and team members.
• Strong presentation skills and an ability to develop accessible materials and deliver legal education to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve, facilitate resolutions, and mediate conflict.
• Strong time management and organization skills, including sound knowledge of work planning. Ability to multi-task, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and adapt quickly to change.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work in close co-operation with volunteers, community members, legal experts, service providers, academia and/or researchers, and in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong political acumen, diplomacy, discretion, tact, and good judgement.
• Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to principles of equity.

Additional preferred qualifications and skills:

• Knowledge of public policy processes, understanding of and experience in developing, implementing and/or evaluating policy, and drafting briefing notes and/or position papers is an asset.
• Understanding of the housing and social sectors in Ontario, domestic and international human rights law, housing law, and the barriers facing equity-seeking groups in housing is an asset.
• Working proficiency in languages other than English is an asset.

We recognize and value the unique perspective that people with lived experience of poverty and/or precarious housing bring in addition to the skills and qualifications listed above.

Location: Remote within Canada with the option to work at CCHR’s office in Toronto.

What we offer

An opportunity to work with an innovative, mission-driven, entrepreneurial non-profit organization working to advance the right to housing and the ability to learn from a variety of legal and policy professionals working on an emerging area of human rights law and practice.

A generous benefits package will be made available commencing on the fourth month of the term. All staff are provided with 10 paid sick days on a per annum basis.

CCHR offers flexible hours, the opportunity to work remotely, and with a diverse group of talented staff who are committed to advancing the right to housing. All staff working remotely are provided with office equipment to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

Our office is located at the Centre for Social Innovation (Spadina location), an exciting shared workspace that houses non-profits and social innovators across multiple locations in downtown Toronto. It is accessible by transit, gender inclusive, and offers substantial opportunities to network with like-minded people and participate in a mission-driven, innovative community through various events.

To apply for this job

Applications should include the following and be submitted through viLawPortal: and addressed to the Hiring Committee:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Law transcripts
• 2 letters of reference
• Writing sample of no longer than 10 numbered pages (excerpts from longer papers may be sent but sending writing samples longer than 10 pages will disqualify the application.)

The application deadline is 5pm EST on June 28, .

This position has been made available through The Law Foundation of Ontario Public Interest Articling Fellowship Program.

At CCHR, we believe that a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We encourage applicants of all genders, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities, and with a range of life experiences to apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
No telephone enquiries please.

Salaire $62, plus benefits

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