Legal Counsel

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This employment opportunity is open to all applicants.

In accordance with the Government of Nunavut’s Remote Hiring Policy, this position is being advertised in the home community or is eligible for remote work.

Working under the direction of the Public Guardian and Public Trustee, the legal counsel (Counsel) is responsible for providing legal services for the application and enforcement of the Public Trustee Act, Guardianship and Trusteeship Act, Children’s Law Act, Intestate Succession Act and presenting the applications to the Court. Legal counsel is required to conduct research on legal issues impacting the Office of the Public Guardian and Public Trustee (OPGT), the administration of estates of deceased and missing persons.

Counsel ensures appropriate and consistent policies are applied in the administration of territorial statutes according to sound legal principles. The position researches emerging legal issues impacting on the division and prepares impact statements for the Public Guardian and Trustee. The services of the OPGT extend to clients who are residents in and out of the territory. In the performance of these duties, the OPGT strives to promote family involvement in securing appropriate protection for individuals or their estates. It must observe prudent business practices while bound by fiduciary principles and is ultimately accountable to the Court.

The successful candidate must have a common law degree from a recognized Canadian university or have received a certificate of qualification from the national committee on accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The successful candidate must be eligible for membership in the Law Society of Nunavut and/or be a member in good standing of a Provincial or Territorial Bar. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and experience in the laws of Canada or Nunavut and confirmed experience doing similar legal work to that done by the OPGT, or work of a type that demonstrates an ability to do the work of the OPGT. Typically, the above would be attained by at least one year of legal work, or work of a type and breadth which demonstrates competence in the legal environment of the OPGT.

This is a Highly Sensitive Position and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, along with a clear Vulnerable Sector 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.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

• 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.