Gender Rights Campaigner

Gender Rights Campaigner  

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week) 

Duration: Permanent 

Location: Ottawa or Toronto - Hybrid 

Salary: $69, 261 per annum. 

Travel: Hybrid work environment with occasional travel to the Ottawa or Toronto Office  

Deadline: Applications are accepted until 5pm, (eastern time) Tuesday, November 29, 2022 

Union: Unifor Local 567    

Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking) also known as AICSES, is looking for a Gender Rights Campaigner who is the lead for gender equality and rights initiatives for the organization. This position is to ensure that AICSES’ gender rights work is thoughtful, well-planned, carried out, and evaluated with a strong focus on intersectionality, and within that, particular focus on LGBTI rights, racial justice, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the rights of people on the move.  

Reporting to the Programs Manager (Campaigns and Advocacy), the candidate monitors the gender rights situation in Canada, develops strategy for the Section’s action and research for specific themes or geographic priorities. This role is expected to plan and implement research, advocacy and policy change related to intersectionality and gender justice and ensure the work on gender equality is integrated into the Section’s anti-racism and anti-oppression framework. In addition, this role will contribute to gender mainstreaming within the Section’s work and will be mindful and proactive in bringing in the intersectionality angle in our work. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

Research & Subject Matter Expertise 

• Advise on the inclusion of an intersectional gender analysis and the mainstreaming of women’s human rights and LGBTI rights in Amnesty International Canada’s (AIC) campaigns and in other programs of the Section  

• Monitor the gender rights situation in Canada, conduct secondary research and policy analysis on gender rights violations 

• Design and conduct ethically-sound primary research on specific gender rights issues using an intersectional approach in order to provide an evidence-base for advocacy and policy development 

• Share knowledge and support capacity development in terms of gender mainstreaming, GBA+ analysis and gender-transformative and responsive approaches to campaigning 

• Provide timely gender-responsive support to the Crisis and Urgent Response Campaigner to promote gender equality in humanitarian contexts  

• Prepare briefings, reports, policy briefs and submissions in support of key cases and themes in Amnesty’s gender rights work, including recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders 

• Coordinate and facilitate events, delegations and multi-stakeholder activities that relate to intersectional gender equality 

• Cultivate working relationships with relevant counterparts at the International Secretariat, in other Amnesty Sections, and with partners in the Canadian human rights community 

• Establish a calendar of responsibility and maintain attention to strategic priorities and areas of potential impact, ensuring an overall coordinated approach to work 

• Act as the principal resource person and reference point for gender-related information, including the intersections of racial justice, the rights of Indigenous peoples, people on the move and environmental justice 

Campaign Strategy Development 

• Using an intersectional approach, develop strategies and contribute to the development of operational plans to build effective action to promote gender justice, including an intersectional focus on racial justice, LGBTI rights, the rights of Indigenous peoples and people on the move 

• In collaboration with the Activism and Communications division, participate in the development of campaign strategies to mobilize AIC’s membership and members of the public with an intersectional gender rights lens 

• In collaboration with others, monitor, evaluate and report to management on the implementation of the Section’s strategy to mainstream gender rights with an intersectional approach 

• Ensure consistency across Branch-supported content on gender rights and related issues 

• Undertake ongoing monitoring and analysis of relevant information from the International Secretariat, the media, relevant Canadian networks and partners, and governments and other official documents, to inform and regularly update campaign plans 

• Provide guidance and updates on strategic priorities to AIC’s Specialized Teams on Gender Rights and review/approve advocacy and campaigning proposals from the team  

• Where appropriate, act as Branch spokesperson with the media for issues related to Gender Rights 

• Respond to enquiries from members and the public as needed 

• Contribute to strategies and operational plans that include the gender equality and environmental justice nexus 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the campaigns division related to gender equality research, policy, and advocacy work 

• Contribute to the development of public and internal campaign materials for the Section’s campaigns, including e-actions and programs that enable activism initiatives and support established and new forms of organizing 

• Support effective and timely communications relating to gender rights campaigns, including responding to enquiries coming from members, other NGOs, and the public at large, responding to, or channeling them as appropriate  

Advocacy & Government Relations 

• Identify changes in law and policy and provide the strategic and political analysis required to respond to various opportunities 

• Prepare and attend, as appropriate, high-level advocacy briefings, reports, or submissions in support of key cases and thematic areas of work 

• Contribute to a government engagement strategy for the Campaigns division and lead government relations work in the areas of gender rights, collaborating closely with other members of the Campaigns team and the Secretary General 

• Support the legal work of the Branch in preparing litigation, supporting strategic litigation initiatives relevant to gender rights 

• Participate in engagements, consultations and/or discussions with public officials, corporate actors, civil society organizations and other stakeholders on gender rights 

• Convene, facilitate, or participate in coalitions, think tanks, and networks on gender rights 

• Respond to enquiries from members and the public as needed 

• Prepare briefings, submissions, and presentations in support of key cases and thematic areas of work for various UN bodies and mechanisms with the informed consent of rights holders, including UN bodies such as Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Special Rapporteurs on Climate, Human Rights Defenders, Environment, Indigenous Rights, UN Women, and the UN Commission on the Status of Women 

• Organize presentations or speaking tours for UN special experts and delegations for rights holders to attend high level events 

• Support movement-building and actively participate in networks and coalitions related to gender rights, with a focus on supporting grassroots activism led by rights holders  

• Ally with women and gender diverse persons with lived experience and amplify their voices in your work from a feminist, decolonial and anti-oppression lens 

• Where appropriate, act as the Section spokesperson with the media 

Organizational Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to regular meetings and events of the organization to inform others of developments and to stay up to date on organizational matters and the work of other teams 

• Promote knowledge sharing and capacity strengthening as it relates to gender mainstreaming and intersectionality across the organization 

• Ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), anti- racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) principles and practices are integrated into program strategies and materials 

• Contribute to the organization’s DEI and ARAO development at the individual, team, and organizational levels  

• Exemplify DEI and anti-oppression principles in day-to-day interaction with colleagues, rightsholders, members, donors, supporters, and the public 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE 

Amnesty International Canada is seeking an individual who can contribute to the diversity of Amnesty’s workforce and its inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices. The Gender Rights Campaigner brings a deep and abiding commitment to tackling systemic issues affecting historically marginalized employees and communities with a specific lens of anti-racism, feminism, intersectionality, and accessibility to external and internal work, to all interpersonal interactions, and in line with any organization policies and protocols. This includes an ability to support in building an environment that reflects Amnesty International Canada’s promotion of a culture of respect, equity, and fairness.       

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

• 3 to 5 years of equivalent experience and education working with a grassroots organization or an NGO with campaigning or advocacy focus OR university degree with some general or specialized background in human rights or gender rights with minimum 2 to 3 years of experience in a relevant position 

• Demonstrated experience working and/or studying gender rights and gender mainstreaming with an intersectional approach, particular attention to at least one of the following thematic areas: racial justice, Indigenous People’s rights and/or the rights of people on the move 

• Experience working and/or studying the nexus between gender rights and environmental justice would be an asset 

• Desk research experience is required, and primary qualitative data collection is desirable 

• Experience conducting intersectional gender-based plus (GBA+) analysis is an asset 

• Demonstrable experience in writing statements, articles, reports, briefs, or correspondence related to gender rights 

• Experience in engaging and maintaining effective government relations is favourable 

• Knowledge of international human rights law and related international bodies, mechanisms and policies, and their application in Canada, particularly in the areas of gender rights, equality, and intersectionality as it relates to racial justice and the rights of Indigenous peoples 

• Knowledge, training and experience in intersectionality, anti-racism, anti-oppression, anti-Black racism, discrimination, and decolonizing practices 

• Knowledge of and relationships with Canadian civil society and social justice movements, networks, and stakeholders in the areas of gender rights 

• Ability to think, plan, and communicate strategically on research, policy and advocacy, and ability to collaborate with rights-holders, partners, staff, and members in developing strategy  

• Ability to develop a theory of change and gender rights campaign strategy that centers the needs and rights of rights-holders 

• Ability to engage critically with theories, policies and practices related to international development and human rights from feminist, decolonial and anti-oppression lenses 

• Analytical ability to monitor Canada’s laws and policies in relation to its’ international human rights commitments 

• Ability to write accurate, compelling, and concise content in different formats for a variety of audiences   

• Excellent verbal communication skills necessary to act as a spokesperson for the Section as appropriate 

• Ability to contribute to the diversity of Amnesty’s workforce and its inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices 

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues based in various locations across the country, region, and world 

• Available to travel within Canada and internationally, and work on evenings or weekends when required 

WHY WORK FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADA?  

ABOUT US  

Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million ordinary people in more than 150 countries who come together to achieve extraordinary results in defending and promoting human rights. We get discriminatory laws changed and prisoners of conscience released. We’ve helped stop torture, commute death sentences and worked to end violence against women. We are in solidarity with Indigenous peoples demanding that their rights be respected. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO ANTI-RACISM, ANTI-OPPRESSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (ARAO-DEI)  

Amnesty International Canada is committed to employment equity, actively seeks diversity in the workplace, and welcomes and encourages applications from members of equity seeking groups including women, transgender, non-binary, and LGBTI individuals; First Nations, Metis, and Inuit individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of racialized and marginalized groups. We believe our work is stronger when it benefits from the experience, knowledge and wisdom of people who have faced systemic barriers and encourage applications from qualified candidates who have lived experience as a member of historically underrepresented communities.   

AIC values qualified diverse candidates who bring skills that contribute to our anti-racist and anti-oppression transformational journey. At AIC, employees are expected to contribute to an inclusive environment and bring the knowledge, experience, and ability to incorporate anti-racism, anti-oppression, intersectionality, gender mainstreaming, inclusion, and accessibility practices to external and internal work and to all interpersonal interactions. Click to learn more about our Equity Journey.  

WHAT WE OFFER  

At Amnesty International Canada, we are passionate about what we do, and we are proud of our achievements as a movement. To compensate our employees for the critical work they undertake, we reward them with an attractive sector competitive salary and benefits package plus the opportunity to develop professionally.  

If you are talented, passionate about human rights and want to use your skills, knowledge, and experience to change the world, we encourage you to join us.  

APPLICATION PROCESS  

Together with your resume, please forward a 1-page cover letter (250 words maximum) that includes your responses to the following questions:   

1. How do you relate to Amnesty International Canada’s mission?  
2. How would your skills and experiences (personal and professional) translate into success in this position?   
3. What does a commitment to ARAO and DEI mean or look like to you?  

Applications must be submitted electronically through our Work With Us careers page. 

We thank everyone for their expression of interest-and truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying-but with the limitation of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Amnesty International Canada is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process.