CoSA Canads

Executive Director Position – CoSA Canada

Job Description | February 2017

Overview

As an experienced leader, you will work with the Board of Directors to determine strategic vision, priorities, and policies for our organization. You will lead the development of strategic partnerships with government, law enforcement, mental health, and other public sector organizations. You will also lead fund development activities to support both CoSA Canada and Circles of Support and Accountability across Canada. Working closely with the Associate Director, our staff, and Partner Agencies, you will oversee the administration of grants and donor funds, lead resource development, and guide current and future projects to successful outcomes. You are committed to the principles and values of restorative justice, and especially to our mandate to have no more victims while recognizing that no one is disposable.

 

Who We Are

CoSA Canada Inc. is the national organization that provides leadership, coordination, and resources for Circles of Support and Accountability in Canada. CoSA Canada works with local, regional, and national Partner Agencies to provide Circles of Support and Accountability in communities across the country. Founded in 2015 CoSA Canada’s mandate is:

  • To secure ongoing, sustainable, nationwide funding for CoSA;
  • To develop and update an operational model common to all Canadian CoSA sites;
  • To develop best practices and resources;
  • To act as a hub for academic research and clinical practice using the Canadian CoSA model;
  • To promote and encourage CoSA within Canada and internationally;
  • To develop key partnerships with government and with the criminal justice, mental health, and victim support communities;
  • And to advocate for CoSA, for our core members, and for the issues that impact both them and the community.

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is a community-based response to men and women who have committed one or more sexual offences and are being released into the community without adequate support to assist them in reintegration. The framework of restorative justice tells us that communities must be responsible for both the victims of crime and for its perpetrators. CoSA is a means by which communities participate in this work. CoSA is rooted in the belief that every human being has inherent dignity and value, meaning that no human being is disposable.

The heart of CoSA lies in the practice of living in relationship and community. Often, ex-offenders have struggled in building healthy relationships. By participating in CoSA, these men and women learn what it is to be in healthy relationship with others; they see it modeled for them and experience it for themselves. They are also drawn into community and valued as a person. As a consequence, they learn to see themselves as part of a community, and to care about others and about how others see them. These experiences have the dual effect of reducing risk for the community and restoring the dignity of the participants.

 

Specific Duties

Your day-to-day duties will include:

  • Acting as CoSA Canada’s primary public spokesperson and liaison with our government and public sector partners.
  • Promoting and encouraging the work of Circles of Support and Accountability across Canada and internationally.
  • Developing sustainable sources of funding for CoSA Canada and for the provision of CoSA by our partner agencies.
  • Working with our partner agencies to ensure that they are supported in achieving our shared objectives.
  • Participating on the Board of Directors and acting as the primary liaison between directors and staff.
  • Developing strategic plans, including setting goals and objectives.
  • Working with the Associate Director and staff to create operational plans to support and achieve strategic goals and objectives.
  • Developing best practices and policies to support our work.
  • Management of CoSA Canada staff.

 

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

  • A minimum of 10 years experience in human services and/or restorative justice organizations.
  • A minimum of 5 years in a senior management or executive role.
  • A minimum of an undergraduate degree in related field; post-graduate or professional degrees in leadership, social sciences, or mental health are preferred.
  • Broad knowledge of the CoSA model and its application is an asset but not required.
  • A strong understanding of the Canadian law enforcement, criminal justice, correctional, and mental health landscape.
  • A proven track record as a strategic thinker with the ability to communicate and translate future vision into successful actions and outcomes.
  • Strong leadership and communications skills, including the ability to inspire and persuade, with a solid track record of speaking in public forums.
  • Experience building successful collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Successful track record of fund development and financial planning and management.
  • Fluency in both official languages is considered an asset.

 

Position Details

As we are a national organization with a distributed workforce and stakeholders, the location of  this position is flexible. Travel of potentially 30+ days per year is expected. Flexible work schedules and locations can be accommodated including compressed workweeks and working from home. Daily schedule will vary depending on need, and on coordination with staff and stakeholders in other time zones.

Salary range is between CDN $70,000-$90,000 per annum, and will be based on experience and education. Benefits are negotiable.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates’ education and experience best meets the needs of the position. Only individuals   selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please. This position will remain open until March 10, 2017.

To apply, please submit a resume or CV and cover letter to David Byrne, Chair of the Board of Directors – CoSA Canada, at:  davidbyrne@ptbochaplaincy.org

Charlene

Service Delivery Director Appointed

I am very pleased to announce that Charlene Moore has accepted the position of Service Delivery Director (SDD). Charlene has a history of demonstrated leadership both at NSLA and in her community. I am confident her commitment to NSLA and to social justice in the broadest sense will serve the Commission well in this new position. Charlene will be starting in the SDD role effective February 20th, 2017.

Charlene’s background includes:

  • Graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1998. Called to NS Bar in 1999.
  • Joined NSLA in August 1999 in the Dartmouth Office practicing family law and transferred to the Halifax North Office in 2012.
  • Since 2013, has worked primarily in the area of social justice with a focus on developing community outreach. Her outreach includes Chebucto Connections ECHO Hub and the Daily Bread free lunch program at St. Mary’s Basilica.
  • Has made numerous community presentations on social justice issues.
  • Worked extensively with community stakeholders on the issues of social justice and played a lead role in the implementation of the social justice components of NSLA’s Strategic Plan.
  • Responsible for the development of social justice materials for the public on NSLA’s website and the ongoing development of social justice materials for the internal staff Portal. Actively involved in the development of content for social justice conferences.
  • Facilitated NSLA’s social justice response to the consultations on legal aid benchmarks.
  • Obtained certification in Collaborative Family Law.
  • Past member (Treasurer & Chair) of Family Mediation NS with significant involved in the development of the Child Protection Mediation Project.
  • Current committee member of CBA NS Nova Voce.
  • Mentored for Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association (DFLAS), has acted as Principal for Articled Clerks and supervised Summer Students.
  • Volunteer with NSBS Observership Program and longstanding community volunteer in Scouts Canada and Shambhala School, including holding many leadership roles.

Please join me in welcoming Charlene to the Executive team.

Megan Longley,
Executive Director

Cathy Benton

Cathy Benton, QC Appointed Provincial and Family Court Judge

We are thrilled to advise that Cathy Benton, QC, Manager of our Bridgewater Office, has been appointed a Judge of the Provincial and Family Court. Details are here: News Release

Congratulations to Judge Benton for this truly well-deserved appointment!

Nova Scotia’s Special Court for Opioid Addicts

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has been an interested and supporting partner in the creation of the Court Monitored Drug Treatment Program and is working toward its expansion. Please find the story of one participant here: Participant Story. Ms. MacPherson’s story demonstrates what inter-governmental and community cooperation can achieve. NSLA is very proud to be involved in the Program by providing direct counsel to all of the Program’s participants and by advocating for not only its implementation, but its expansion.

Service Delivery Director – Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) is currently accepting applications for the position of Service Delivery Director (SDD). A copy of the position description can be found at:  SDD Position Description

Nova Scotia Legal Aid (NSLA) delivers quality legal services to qualified applicants in the three core areas of criminal, family and social justice law. Some level of help is available to all Nova Scotians on a continuum of service which includes information, summary/duty counsel services, limited retainer and full service.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The SDD reports to the Executive Director (ED) and the NSLAC and has a focus on what services the NSLAC can and should provide.  The SDD works closely with the ED and must be ready to assume all responsibilities in the event that the incumbent is not available to discharge the duties of that office.  The SDD works closely with other Justice Stakeholders and is a member of the Executive Committee, which provides management for the NSLA program.

REPORTS TO

  • The Executive Director
  • The Commission

TYPICAL DUTIES

Include: the service delivery management of the NSLA program; working closely with the ED, the Chief Financial Officer and the Internal Operations Director in developing policies, protocols and processes in service delivery management; developing criteria and data for service evaluations and day-to-day management issues and consultation.

REQUIRED ABILITIES AND SKILLS

The SDD, a full-time Administration Office position, must meet or exceed the following requirements:

  • Must work in the Office of the ED located in HRM
  • Bachelor of Law Degree
  • Practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, in good standing
  • Possess management experience
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to represent NSLA effectively when working with other justice system stakeholders and the community
  • Broad understanding of the Province’s justice and legal services systems and current issues
  • Exceptional planning, organizational, analytical and administrative skills
  • Ability to foster effective working relationships with colleagues and external contacts
  • Ability to speak both English and French will be an asset

References required.

SALARY:   Legal Services Pay Plan MCL 32-127 – this is a five-year (renewable) contract position

CLOSING DATE:  January 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm ADT

REPLY TO:

Barry Whynot
Internal Operations Directr
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
920-1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8
(902) 420-3471 Fax
barry.whynot@nslegalaid.ca

NSLA has an employment equity policy and encourages candidates from historically disadvantaged groups.  While we appreciate all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications held in confidence.

Executive Director Appointed

Announcement

Executive Director – Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

I am pleased to advise you that, effective December 14th, 2016, Megan Longley has been appointed Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission.

Megan graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1994 and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1995. She joined NSLA in 1999. Megan has worked as a Staff Lawyer in all four NSLA metro offices primarily as a criminal lawyer but also briefly as a family lawyer. Megan took over as Manager of the Youth Justice Office in 2011 and moved to the Office of the Executive in September of 2015 as Service Delivery Director.

Megan has made submissions to the Nunn Commission and has presented at local, provincial and national conferences on Youth Justice and on the over-criminalization in HIV non-disclosure cases following an internationally reported decision in that area. Megan is a past Board Member of the Community Justice Society and the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia among others. In addition, Megan has sat on various Justice System committees throughout her career, and continues to do so. Megan is also outgoing President of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers’ Association and a board member of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

I am confident that under Megan’s leadership Nova Scotia Legal Aid will continue to provide essential service to individual Nova Scotians and will continue to work with others in the Justice System to improve access to justice in this Province. I invite you to contact Megan with any questions about the services of NSLA.

Donald G. Harding, QC
Chair, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

Canada Bar Association Women’s Forum Section Meeting – “Different Career Paths: What You Can Do With Your Law Degree

Krista Forbes, Managing Lawyer, Halifax Office (Family), Nova Scotia Legal Aid was a featured speaker at the November 7, 2016 CBA Women’s Forum Section Meeting.  This was a Forum where the presenters talked about their career path and use of their law degrees, from private practice to government solicitor, to Legal Aid and the Public Prosecution Service and all the other options, including taking breaks in their practice to have a family, or go back to school, or take another job

It was an opportunity for members to ask about the experiences of the speakers, good and bad, as women in law.

Pictured in the photo are:  Michelle Higgins, Executive Director, Court Services; Krista Forbes, Managing Lawyer, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Halifax Office (Family); Julia Cornish, QC, Partner, Sealy Cornish Coulthard; Susan MacKay, Senior Crown Attorney, NS Public Prosecution Service. Missing from the photo is Dana MacKenzie, Managing Director of Employee Relations with the Public Service Commission.

HomeBridge Youth Society Annual Holiday Coffee House – December 7, 2016

Please see details below and note that RSVP is by December 5th

Print

Online Consultation on the Review of Record Suspensions

The Government of Canada is seeking input from the public, including individuals with a criminal record, federal, provincial and territorial stakeholders, and organizations that are involved in the corrections and criminal justice system on the review of record suspensions. The online consultation closes on December 7, 2016. For further details and to access the online consultation please visit: Review of Record Suspensions

Free Public Lecture – Everyday Legal Problems and the Cost of Justice

with Professor David Wiseman, University of Ottawa

The legal system faces criticism for not providing more affordable ways for people to resolve their ‘everyday legal problems’ in consumer, employment, family, housing and other civil justice areas. Providing more help might be costly for public budgets, but there is also a cost to individuals and society of not providing enough access to justice. In this session, Professor Wiseman will share the results of the latest Canadian survey of everyday legal problems – the first to investigate the cost of justice – and will explore recent and potential ways we might work to improve access to justice in Canada.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016
7:00PM
Room 104, Weldon Law Building
6061 University Ave.

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