Pictured below are NSLA colleagues with Judge Benton following her Robing Ceremony on March 24^th, 2017. Legal Aid is so proud of our colleague, who was the former Manager of our Bridgewater Office, in becoming the first Mi’kmaq woman appointed to the Bench.

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

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!