Are you passionate about increasing access to justice for vulnerable groups affected by violence and multiple barriers to legal information? Can you demonstrate a commitment to excellence, collaboration and ending gender-based violence, discrimination, and inequity at multiple levels? If you answered “yes” to these questions, this position may be of interest to you. 

About METRAC: Formed in 1984, METRAC is an award-winning Toronto based not-for-profit agency, historically devoted to advancing safety, justice and equity for women and youth. Since 2016, METRAC’s priority groups have expanded to include Two-Spirit, Transgender, and Nonbinary (2STN) people, also known to be impacted by higher rates of gender-based violence. METRAC partners with individuals, communities, and institutions, to change ideas, actions and policies toward ending gender-based violence. Our activities are focused on public education, legal information services, youth prevention programs, community safety audits, community-based research and social policy initiatives designed to improve systemic responses for ending gender-biased violence in Ontario. To find out more about METRAC’s programs, visit our website at www.metrac.org 

Mission: Ending gendered violence across communities through education, research & policies.

Vision: A safe Ontario for All.

Values: Equity, Respect, Safety, Feminism(s), Excellence, Innovation, and Collaboration.

Program Summary: METRAC’s Community Justice Program (CJP) strives to promote access to justice for Ontarians affected by gender-based violence (GBV).  CJP’s projects and campaigns educate the public on how different areas of the law and legal system work; so that people can gain a better understanding about their legal rights, responsibilities and options for accessing justice when faced with GBV and related legal problems. CJP’s staff work to strengthen individual, organizational, and community capacity through legal education and information; collaborative community engagement; and promising practices in research, planning and policy.

Position Summary: You will be working on the Creating Safer Workspaces: Workplace Sexual Harassment Project, reporting to the Legal Director, the Project Lawyer works closely with a small team to coordinate and develop legal information and education resources in clear language. Activities include monitoring legal developments relevant to workplace violence; conducting legal research; conducting focus groups; creating legal information resources; developing and delivering legal information and education workshops. The Project Lawyer works closely with other METRAC program staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Upholds the mission, values, vision and goals of METRAC and the Community Justice Program
• Supports the legal information needs of community partners and METRAC’s programs
• Delivers accessible legal information about workplace sexual harassment
• Conducts legal research for producing inclusive legal information resources
• Creates and oversees the development of clear language legal materials
• Reviews, revises and drafts legal information for written resources and for legal trainings
• Creates content for workplace sexual harassment toolkits and questionnaires
• Builds connections and liaises with community members and organizations
• Maintains a data system by collecting and tracking project activities for evaluation and for reports to funders
• Writes reports for project deliverables
• Keeps abreast of emerging legal issues relevant to the project
• Assists with special METRAC events (i.e. fundraising, AGM, volunteer training)
• Contributes to internal committees and working groups, and seminars
• May be required to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Travel flexibility is required
• Other duties as required.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Law degree and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of 2 to 4 years of experience in the practice of employment law; family law and human rights law experience is an asset
• Understanding of legal and social issues pertaining to workplace sexual harassment; violence against women within feminist and gender diversity analysis
• Anti-oppression/intersectional analysis of law, legal systems and law enforcement
• Knowledge of intersecting areas of employment law, immigration law, family law, and human rights law in Ontario
• Ability to carry out legal research and analyses
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and inter-cultural skills
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively as a member of a small and diverse team
• Ability to work in a community agency with limited resources
• Computer literacy (MS Office suite)
• Proficiency in speaking languages in addition to English is an asset.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Solid experience in legal research, legal analysis and clear language writing
• Self-reflective and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental, compassionate and reflects METRAC’s mission and values
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, mutual respect, teamwork, working with diverse people with diverse ideas; ability to adapt to change as necessary
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development.

Job Type: Full-time, Term ending March 31, 2027

Salary: To be discussed based on experience

Work location: Hybrid