Full time position
Start date: immediately
Application deadline: March 22nd, 2023

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Organizational Information

FCJ Refugee Centre strives to meet the diverse needs of uprooted people in communities across Ontario and attempts to address the problems of poverty and lack of resources, isolation, and discrimination through community-based programs which promote self-help, personal growth, community economic development and social justice.

Job Description

The In-House Lawyer will engage in public legal education enhancing our existing programs. Supporting our organization to expanding our remote services to small municipalities and rural areas across Canada to increase our support to refugee claimants and vulnerable migrants. As with all roles within the office, there are overarching responsibilities that apply including attendance to all staff and program specific meetings, following the policies of anti-oppression, confidentiality, the maintenance of accurate client records & files, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• The successful applicant will be practicing Refugee law with an emphasis on matters involving Basis of Claim, RAD Appeals, Deferral Request to CBSA, TRP, H&C applications for vulnerable refugee claimants and precarious migrants.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders (counterparts in project partners, other NGOs, bar associations international organisations and public institutions) for cooperation and case referrals.
• Conduct case-based advocacy, especially for high-risk cases, through petition writing, applying to relevant institutions and other proper methods.
• Identify and report the needs of legal information among refugee community, plan and implement awareness raising activities accordingly.
• Monitor the data and trends in protection, especially for refugees’ registration and access to services, and report them as required.

Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario as of the commencement date.
• Commitment to social justice issues and to working within a client-centered and trauma-informed framework.
• Strong research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong ability to handle multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Community legal clinic experience preferred but not mandatory.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel is an asset.
• Ability to mentor others (Pro bono students and volunteers)
• Additional fluency in other languages is greatly appreciated.

As an employer who values diversity in its workforce, we encourage candidates to self-identify as members of the following designated groups: women, visible minority, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé by email only (in word format) by March 22nd, 2023 to: Alexandra Garcia via alexandra.garcia@fcjrefugeecentre.org.

We thank all applicants; however, due to the volume of applicants, only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you.

FCJ Refugee Centre