Counsel

at  Ministry of the Attorney General

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS COMPETITION IS RESTRICTED TO STEP 1 CANDIDATES INCLUDING OPS ALOC AND OCAA LAWYERS living or working within 125 km of this location. Note: Eligible lawyers from outside the Area of Search may apply but will not be entitled to relocation or travel expenses for the transfer as set out below.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of Ontario’s criminal justice system, including knowledge of legal, policy and program delivery issues associated with the justice system
• Knowledge of the structures of the justice system, the unique roles of the Attorney General, the judiciary and the bar, and the influence of such structures and roles on the actions of government
• Knowledge of the Canadian Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the statutes of Ontario and common legal precepts to interpret statutes, provide legal and strategic advice that reflect the ministry’s responsibilities within the justice system
• Knowledge of government decision-making and policy development processes, and the role played by central agencies and line ministries
• Expertise in policy development, and extensive knowledge of the factors that affect public policy
• Knowledge of government operations, including linkages between policy, legislative, communications and fiscal processes
• Capacity and interest to work collaboratively with policy and legal professionals across government
• Capacity to interact on a professional footing with representatives of the judiciary, the private bar and other justice sector partners and stakeholders
• Issues management and problem-solving skills and experience anticipating and managing contentious legal, policy and communication issues
• Analytical and strategic legal and policy development skills, research skills, and advocacy skills
• Team/project leadership, management skills and coordination

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing strategic policy for Ontario’s Justice Centres and Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, bringing expertise and leadership to a team composed of legal and policy professionals with experience in criminal justice and social services.

Duties will include:

• Providing strategic legal and policy advice to the Executive Director, senior Ministry officials, including the Assistant Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, and the Attorney General and Minister’s Office, on the establishment and continued successful operation ofJustice Centres in Ontario.
• Working closely within the Ministry of the Attorney General and partner ministries in the development of cross-sectoral policy, programs and operations to improve justice outcomes through Ontario’s Justice Centres
• Developing and coordinating the Ministry’s policy submissions for consideration by Cabinet and its committees
• Researching and analyzing innovative criminal justice reforms and developments
• Preparing written products, such as briefing notes and presentation decks, and providing oral briefings, as requested