Justice and Correctional Services – Assistant Director of Justice and Correctional Services

Job Description

Core Functions:

The Assistant Director is responsible for supporting the director with the development of programs and with key initiatives. The incumbent will also collaborate with diverse internal resources and stakeholders, including both managers and staff, while overseeing activities from several programs within the Department. More specifically, the incumbent will also be called upon to complete legal analyses, prepare documentation, produce reports, as well as to disseminate crucial information to internal and external stakeholders concerning laws, regulations, and legal frameworks.

Functional Responsibilities:

• Review quality assurance within delivery of services and programs and recommend any innovations or changes to improve quality or remove anomalies to the Director.
• Assist the Director in preparing documents for the leadership, staff and public on the interpretation, understanding, application, implementation, and dissemination of the legal framework regarding the administration of the justice for the Crees, including the provisions of Section 18 JBNQA, Justice Agreement (2007), laws and regulations.
• Assist the Director in preparing documents for the leadership, staff and public on the, implementation and dissemination of relevant instruments, reports and calls to action, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the Calls for Action of the Viens Commission, and the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• At the request of the Director, assist in the review of laws, regulations, instruments, proposed Bills, and court cases, and prepare summaries, reports, presentations and submissions of the same for various governmental or non-governmental persons, bodies, commissions or panels.
• Oversee the development and implementation of information sessions for judges and judicial interveners on Cree values and realities (per JBNQA 18.0.7 and Justice Agreement par. 5i).
• Oversee the development and implementation of information sessions and judicial terminology workshops for Crees on the legal and judicial systems (per JBNQA 18.0.35 and Justice Agreement par. 5i).
• At the request of the Director, assist in the preparation of testimonies before bodies on areas of justice, law, rights, interests, policies, and services.
• At request of the Director, review legislation, case decisions and legal articles for preparation of briefings, reports or public communications.
• Review media and research requests forwarded to the Department and transmit them to the Director in a timely manner.
• Assist the Director in the development and implementation of the Justice Symposium.
• Working with managers or staff any complaints related to harassment, inappropriate conduct or conflict of interests; in collaboration with the Human Resources Department (HR).
• Recommend processes or actions to the Director on any complaints or issues that may arise.

CAVAC Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CAVAC Advisory Board for the CAVAC on policies related to work and clients.
• Supervise and oversee the CAVAC workers to ensure quality services and reporting are maintained.
• Work closely with the Native Parajudicial Workers to ensure their work compliments that of the Community Justice Officer (CJO) and Community Reintegration Officer (CRO). Help integrate their training or work with local staff at facilities.

Interaction/Communication Responsibilities:

• Work with the Strategic Management Coordinator to ensure managers and coordinators are meeting deadlines, milestones and the delivery of quality services and programs as well as to plan meetings of the managers based on an agenda approved by the Director.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Justice to ensure the integrity of buildings and adherence to any policies or measures are incorporated correctly; collaboration with the Manager of Justice and the Coordinator of Resources and Assets will also be required to ensure all equipment is kept up to date and functional for use, including scheduling regular reviews to ensure accessibility of justice to communities.
• Help prepare any communications to the public, and review with the Director before dissemination.
• Work with the Director and immediate supervisors to help identify staff for key trainings related to possible advancements or improvements related to their work.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Work with the Director on approvals related to travel, invoices, and purchase orders.
• Assist the Managers and Coordinators in the development of Departmental and Program policies, rules, guidelines, and review them with the Director.
• Review the enforcement or compliance of rules, regulations and policies within the Department, and report to the Director with any recommendations.
• Oversee development and implementation of funding proposals by the Department to governments and entities, review with Director before submission, and ensure reporting is provided.

Reporting Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator to ensure that information collected in databases produce internal reporting related to indicators and generate external reporting for key stakeholders and government and is submitted to the Director.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise and lead direct reports and ensure effective supervision of others within the team.
• Assist direct reports with the development of objectives and ensure that performance is aligned with team and individual objectives. Ensure that managers and/or supervisors within team are establishing objectives that are in alignment with departmental objectives.
• Identify training needs and support training and development.
• Conduct periodic performance evaluations for direct reports and assist managers and/or supervisors with performance evaluations.
• Promote ongoing, effective and open communication with employees. Keep staff members informed of decisions that impact them and/or their unit.

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in area(s) of responsibility.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Sociology, Business Administration, Commerce, Law, or related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field is an asset.

Experience:

• Eight to twelve years of relevant work experience.

Language:

• Fluency in Cree and English
• Good knowledge of French.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of justice frameworks, particularly as it relates to JBNQA, Justice Agreement, laws and regulations.
• Strong leadership, management and supervisory skills.
• Good knowledge and understanding of Cree culture, customs and history.
• Capacity to adapt to interactions with varied stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization.
• Proven success in maintaining strong communication, including the ability to facilitate effectively.
• Proven ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality.
• Proven organizational and report writing skills.
• Strong judgment and proven ability to problem-solve.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and to adapt to a changing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

Additional Requirements:

• Typical office setting where there are no unusual physical demands.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Must be able to pass provincial and federal security screening.

The Cree Nation Government may, at its discretion, waive any or all of the aforementioned requirements if a suitable candidate who is a JBNQA beneficiary accepts to follow a training plan determined by the Cree Nation Government as a condition of employment.