Policy & Engagement Specialist (Contract, Part-Time)

The Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia is the leading professional association for lawyers, judges and law students with 40,000 members nationally, and over 8,000 in BC. We are the essential ally and advocate of lawyers, providing professional development and valuable networking opportunities and serve our members and their interests in advocacy by promoting fair justice systems, facilitating effective law reform, promoting equality in the legal profession, and promoting a modernized self-governing profession. Learn more at  cbabc.org . 

Come join our team of passionate and energetic individuals who are committed to serving our members and supporting our volunteers. If you like a fast-paced environment and a variety of projects, this could be the place for you! 

Position Overview 

We are seeking a part-time (3 fixed days per week) Policy & Engagement Specialist to develop policy submissions and related resources informed by designated CBABC committees of volunteer lawyers.  Reporting to the Manager, Policy & Advocacy, this position involves substantial engagement with volunteers at virtual meetings and in ongoing collaborative work. Most responsibilities are project-based and require strong critical thinking, research and writing, facilitation to develop ideas, and the ability to translate complex legal ideas into accessible language. 

This position will be hired for an initial term of 1 year, with possibility for extension or permanent placement. The position is open to applicants anywhere in B.C. The successful candidate must be available to virtually support committee meetings that may be scheduled until 6:30pm. 

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer & Committee Management 

• Manage and coordinate the work of assigned committees of volunteer lawyers to identify law and justice policy reforms. 

• Establish and maintain committee workplans, timelines, and meeting schedules. 

• Prepare agendas, supporting materials, and documentation for virtual committee meetings.  

• Co-facilitate structured discussions to support consensus building. 

• Provide clear guidance to volunteers on processes, expectations, and timelines. 

• Track deliverables, submission deadlines, and outcomes related to committee work. 

• Contribute to a consistent, well-organized volunteer experience through timely support and administrative coordination. 

Policy Research & Drafting 

• Review, consolidate, and synthesize input from volunteer committees to develop law/justice policy reforms and build consensus recommendations.   

• Conduct legal, policy, and comparative research to support proposed reforms, including gaps, impacts, and implementation considerations. 

• Research, draft, and edit plain-language policy submissions and briefing materials for government, the courts, or the lawyers’ regulator in accordance with CBABC’s  Policy Development & Advocacy Policy ensuring accessibility for both legal and non-legal audiences.    

• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and justice-system developments relevant to assigned practice areas and assess impacts on lawyers and the people they serve.   

Related Support & Collaboration 

• Support committee-initiated professional development activities by coordinating timelines, drafting materials, and liaising with internal teams. 

• Prepare clear and accurate communications on submissions and their outcomes, working with the Manager, Policy & Advocacy and the Manager, Communications. 

• Collaborate with other CBABC teams, including Communications, Professional Development, the Executive Office, and the CBA National Office, as required.    

• Other duties or projects assigned by Manager, Policy & Advocacy or Chief Executive Officer. 

Experience and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in legal studies, justice, or political science. 

• Five years of experience supporting subject-matter experts, professionals, or volunteer committees to develop recommendations, submissions, or work products. 

• Strong working knowledge of law and procedure in British Columbia across multiple legal practice and justice-system areas (real estate, family, criminal, civil litigation, restorative justice, child protection). 

• Demonstrated experience managing structured, deadline-driven work involving multiple contributors. 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and concise briefs, submissions, presentations, and slide decks.  

• Proven ability to translate complex concepts into plain language content for different audiences.  

• Strong judgement, analytical skills, and attention to detail. 

• Experience in a non-profit organization or membership-based association is an asset.  

• Training or certification in Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is an asset. 

• Ability to work a fixed part-time schedule and adapt priorities as organizational needs shift. 

• Availability for early-morning or late-afternoon meetings as required. 

Salary Range

$85,000 - $115,000 (Full-Time Equivalent. Actual salary will be prorated to 60% FTE).  

Our Committment 

CBABC is committed to supporting an inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from members identifying with any group including visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people living with a disability, people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (2SLGBTQ+), and others. Qualified applicants from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply and to indicate in your cover letter if you belong to one of the designated groups.   

We want to ensure the application process enables you to share your experience, skills and abilities. We expect the recruitment process will take place virtually. As such, you are invited to reach out to us, confidentially, if you face any barriers to participating in this application process. Contacting us will not impact the evaluation of your application.