Policy Counsel

• Shift Work: Shift Work Not Required
• Unionized Position: No
• Regular or Restricted: Local Residents Only

Title: Policy Counsel 
Department: Justice
Community: Iqaluit  
Requisition Number: 987
Type of Employment: Indeterminate

Salary range: $131,767 to $180,008 per year, 37.5 hours/week

Northern Allowance: $16,328 per year
Housing: Subsidized Staff Housing is not Available
Union Status: Excluded
Closing date: October 23, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. eastern time

This employment opportunity is restricted to residents of Iqaluit only.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

Reporting to the Director, Policy and Planning, the Policy Counsel is responsible for providing strategic legal and policy advice, conducting comprehensive legal and policy research, and supporting legislative and regulatory development for the Department of Justice and the Minister. Working independently, the position provides expert legal and policy advice and analysis to support the development, interpretation and implementation of legislation, regulations and departmental programs, and represents Nunavut’s interests in intergovernmental policy discussions and national forums.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities for the Policy Counsel include:

• Identifying, analyzing and assessing legislative and policy requirements of the department;
• Researching and analyzing justice legislation, policy and strategy from other jurisdictions;
• Developing legislative proposals and advising on legal and legislative options and alternatives;
• Managing projects to develop legislation, including the preparation of legislative proposals, consultation plans and the provision of drafting instructions;
• Developing a full range of policy documents including issue items, option papers, decision papers, and briefing notes;
• Ensuring legislative and policy initiatives incorporate and reflect Inuit Societal Values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit;
• Developing and providing strategic legal and policy advice and recommendations to the Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Ministers, Director of Policy and Planning, and other officials in the department;
• Representing the division, department, and Government of Nunavut at senior level working groups within the Government of Nunavut, with external stakeholders, and Federal-Provincial-Territorial meetings and working groups, as required.

Qualifications

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job are usually obtained through:

• A Common Law degree from a recognized Canadian University, and membership in the Law Society of Nunavut and / or be a member in good standing of another Provincial or Territorial Bar;
• Required to meet the provisions of the Legal Profession Act and the Rules of the Law Society of Nunavut and be eligible for a Call to the Bar of Nunavut within a reasonable time period; 
• A minimum of four (4) years related work experience, including, but not limited to experience working cooperatively and collegially in a multicultural environment and on senior level working groups addressing complex legal issues; wide-ranging experience in providing clear, concise and comprehensive written analyses and/or advisory documents for senior stakeholders, and in concise and detailed oral presentation of legal and strategic advice;

• Clear professional oral and written communication skills in English is required.

  This is a Position of Trust and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check is required.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any of the official languages of Nunavut. Fluency in more than one of Nunavut’s official languages would be considered an asset. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land,Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also considered assets.

• The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; therefore, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as being enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
• Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for your application to be considered.
• Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates from being considered. An assessment of the criminal record will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This is only a requirement for positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check.
• Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

• The onus is on candidates in receipt of foreign post-secondary education credentials to have their foreign credentials assessed through a recognized Canadian education institution.  Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.

About Us

The Government of Nunavut was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People and recent graduates. With one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in Canada, Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory, committed to becoming an even better place for future generations.  As a government, we are strengthening our unique model of governance - one that integrates Inuit societal values, promotes use of the Inuktut language, achieves a representative public service, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges and opportunities for training and career advancement.