Come work with us!

Do you have a passion for social justice? The HIV Legal Network is seeking a full-time policy analyst to use their legal skills to advance the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV in Canada and around the world.

Policy Analyst

Location: The HIV Legal Network is based in Toronto, but we are open to hybrid/remote working situations for the right candidate.)
Employment status: Full-time

Salary range: $69,000-73,000
Language requirements: Preferred Bilingual (English/French)
Application deadline: January 9, 2023

In December 1992, a group of activists came together to create the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. They were united in their recognition that any effective response to the pandemic must ensure that the human rights of people living with HIV and communities particularly affected by HIV are respected, protected, and fulfilled.

Today, as the HIV Legal Network (www.hivlegalnetwork.ca), we’re one of the world’s leading organizations tackling the legal and human rights issues related to HIV, in Canada and internationally.

We work tirelessly to defend the rights of people living with HIV or

AIDS and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV, punitive laws and policies, and criminalization, from women, newcomers, and gay men, to people in prison, people who use drugs, and sex workers, through research and analysis, litigation and other advocacy, public education, and community mobilization.

We envision a world in which the human rights and dignity of all people, including people living with HIV or AIDS and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV and criminalization, are respected, protected, and fulfilled.  

Job description

The Policy Analyst will be a member of our Research & Policy Team, and will work closely with the other team members, the Co-Executive Directors, and other staff in achieving the overall goals of the HIV Legal Network. We are looking for a team player and strategic thinker, flexible and open to learning, and willing to take on and grow new areas of expertise.

Specific responsibilities include:

• monitoring developments related to HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) with legal, policy or human rights dimensions;
• researching and writing documents on legal and policy issues related to HIV and HCV for diverse audiences including communities particularly affected by HIV/HCV, frontline workers, and policy-makers;
• developing materials for strategic litigation and other law reform initiatives;
• working with other staff to develop, implement, and regularly review the HIV Legal Network’s advocacy priorities and initiatives, including associated communications activities;
• delivering presentations, lectures, and workshops;
• delivering media interviews and responding to media inquiries;
• representing the HIV Legal Network at meetings with other organizations (domestic and international) and government agencies, policymakers, and officials;
• identifying, through discussion with the Research & Policy Team, strategic directions for the HIV Legal Network’s legal/policy research and advocacy;
• managing projects; and
• assisting as necessary in developing funding applications and project budgets in those areas involving research, policy development and advocacy work, and preparing reports on their activities for reports to funders.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include:

• a law degree from a Canadian law school or a Certificate of Equivalence from the National Committee on Accreditation (being called to the bar in a Canadian province or territory is an asset, but is not required);
• proven skills in legal research and writing;
• excellent oral and written communications skills in English;
• experience in legal and policy analysis and advocacy work in relation to HIV, human rights, or a related field;
• proven project management skills;
• an ability to travel, both within Canada and internationally; and
• initiative, perseverance, flexibility, collegiality, and a passion for social justice.

The ideal candidate will also:

• be fluent in French;
• be familiar with issues related to HIV and HCV including the health and social impacts of repressive laws and policies on communities particularly affected by HIV/HCV;
• have experience working with people living with or affected by HIV or HCV;
• be well-versed in international law;
• have some litigation experience; and
• have experience with public speaking and delivering media interviews.

Salary and benefits

The salary range for this position is $69,000-73,000, in addition to employer-paid benefits.

Desired start date

We would like to fill the position as soon as possible but have some flexibility in the starting date and are seeking a candidate well-suited for the position and organization.

We thank all applicants for their interest but cannot respond to all inquiries; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The HIV Legal Network is strongly committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups including people living with HIV, Indigenous people, Black people, other racialized people, LGBTQ2S+ people, and people with disabilities are welcome to self-identify, should they feel comfortable in doing so, in their cover letter.