Executive Director

Legal Aid Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A community legal clinic in Ontario is seeking an Executive Director to lead operations and advocate for social justice. The ideal candidate will have a law license in good standing and experience in immigration and human rights law. The position offers a salary range of $125,000 to $150,000 with a benefits package. This role is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities and requires strong management and leadership skills.

Benefits

Group benefits package

Employer RRSP contributions

Qualifications

• Strong preference for candidates with spoken Cantonese or Vietnamese.
• Experience with community organizations is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice.

Responsibilities

• Lead CSALC’s operations and activities.
• Establish strategic goals with the Board of Directors.
• Ensure effective community engagement and advocacy.

Skills

Competence in spoken Mandarin

Commitment to racial equity

Strong management skills

Experience in immigration law

Experience in social justice advocacy

Education

Lawyer licensee in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

Job description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | CHINESE AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC | PERMANENT POSITION

Funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (CSALC) is a dynamic community legal clinic which serves low-income members of the Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian communities in Ontario. Recognized for its advocacy work on behalf of disadvantaged communities, CSALC is a United Nations accredited NGO granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Following the appointment of former Clinic Director Avvy Go to the Federal Court of Canada, CSALC is looking for a new Executive Director dedicated to advocating for racial equity and social justice. As the leader of CSALC, the Executive Director will work with its Board of Directors to establish and implement strategic goals and objectives for the clinic; and direct all aspects of CSALC’s operations and activities, including administration, personnel management, delivery of legal services, test case litigation, systemic advocacy, and community engagement.

Consistent with CSALC’s vision and mission, and its strong track record as champion for social justice, the Executive Director is to lead CSALC in advocacy against systemic racism and employ an intersectional equity lens to all aspects of CSALC’s operations.

The Executive Director will lead a team of dedicated staff of eight, including three lawyers. The Executive Director will ensure that CSALC continues to build effective relationships with community and civic organizations, funders, and the client communities served by the clinic.

Qualifications for this position include :

• Lawyer licensee in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Strong preference for candidates with competence or partial competence in spoken Mandarin or Cantonese (competence in spoken Vietnamese also an asset)
• Experience in one or more of CSALC’s areas of practice (immigration, social assistance and income maintenance, tenant rights, employment, human rights, and test case litigation)
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice
• Strong management and leadership skills
• Experience working with not-for-profit organizations and community boards is an asset.

CSALC understands that this is a specialized position that may require a new Executive Director to grow into the position. As such, we encourage applications from all lawyers who satisfy the criteria noted above. Mentoring and support will be available, as needed. Salary range is $125,000 to $150,000. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and will also include a group benefits package and employer RRSP contributions, plus the reward of knowing that your work will make a positive and longstanding impact on marginalized communities.

Please send your cover letter and résumé to CSALC Hiring Committee by Friday, September 20, 2024 at 5 : 00 p.m. either by email to [e-mail] , or mail to 123 Edward Street, Suite 505, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1E2. The expected start date for this position is October 2024.

We thank all interested applicants but only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

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