Restorative Justice Consultant

About Us

Nova Scotia is an international leader in developing and embracing restorative approaches, anchored by the Restorative Justice Program for youth and adults across the province. The use of a restorative approach is growing rapidly in Nova Scotia across government and in communities.

The Restorative Initiatives Unit is a small and dynamic team responsible for working collaboratively towards the overall implementation, management, administration and ongoing effectiveness of restorative initiatives in Nova Scotia. It coordinates and ensures the successful delivery of the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program and supports the adoption of a restorative approach in various contexts, across the Department of Justice.

For more information on the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program please visit our website. 

About Our Opportunity

We are seeking a collaborative, resourceful, and community-minded individual to join the Restorative Initiatives Unit (RIU) as a Restorative Justice Consultant. In this role, you will lead community outreach and partnership development initiatives focused on building trust, increasing knowledge and awareness, and strengthening processes and procedures, in order to expand use of and ensure equitable access to restorative justice in Nova Scotia. To do so, you will foster strong relationships with and work alongside diverse communities and community-based organizations, justice system actors, government colleagues, and other partners. The Restorative Justice Consultant will also lend expertise and support to the advancement of strategic initiatives that the RIU is spearheading or contributing to. 

Individuals who have a strong understanding of access to justice issues, are drawn to collaborative efforts to advance justice transformation, social justice, and/or systems change, or have experience working with historically, structurally, or systemically excluded communities, are encouraged to apply. 
 

Primary Accountabilities

As the Restorative Justice Consultant, you will work closely with RIU colleagues, as well as justice system and community partners, to advance collective efforts to strengthen the NSRJP and extend and deepen its impact, and to expand the adoption of a restorative approach across Department of Justice mandate areas and in community. 

Primary accountabilities include:

• Leading community outreach and communications efforts to build public understanding of and trust in restorative justice and the NSRJP. This includes developing authentic, sustained relationships with community members, organizations, and leaders; listening to community perspectives and experiences; and working alongside departmental colleagues and justice partners to translate learning into approaches that improve knowledge, awareness, and participation.
• Partnering with NSRJP referral sources and justice partners—including policing agencies, the Public Prosecution Service, courts, Correctional Services, Victim Services, and Nova Scotia Legal Aid—to develop strategies to increase confidence in restorative justice, improve referral quality and consistency, and ensure more Nova Scotians are afforded access to restorative justice.
• Spearheading collaborative initiatives to identify, understand, and address barriers to equitable restorative justice access for groups that are over-represented in the criminal justice system, or which experience systemic marginalization.
• Leading and supporting cross-sector initiatives and partnerships that strengthen collaboration among justice partners, restorative justice providers, community organizations, and other actors. This includes identifying opportunities for partnership, facilitating collaborative problem-solving, and translating community and partner perspectives into practical improvements to NSRJP processes, policies, and approaches.
• Developing, adapting, and delivering tailored education and other learning opportunities for referral sources, justice partners, community organizations, and other audiences to strengthen understanding of the NSRJP, restorative principles and practices, and access to justice issues.
• Collaborating with RIU staff to advance restorative approaches across Department of Justice mandate areas (e.g., Correctional facilities, Victim Services, etc.), including by developing and delivering learning opportunities that build the capacity of departmental colleagues to apply restorative principles in their work.
• Ensuring that principles of equity, anti-racism, and intersectionality guide and are embedded in all aspects of the RIU’s work.
• Modelling restorative justice principles in all aspects of work.
   

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you possess a university degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., social sciences or humanities), as well as several years of experience advancing community engagement, outreach, justice transformation, systems change, restorative justice, or related initiatives.

As the ideal candidate, you demonstrate: 

• An understanding of and appreciation for the relational foundation of restorative work within the justice system, as well as the theory and practice of restorative justice. 
• Knowledge and understanding of access to justice issues, as well as an awareness of the histories and experiences of—and key issues affecting—historically, structurally, and/or systemically excluded communities in the Nova Scotia context, particularly African Nova Scotians, Black people of African descent, Mi’kmaq, and Indigenous peoples. 
• Exceptional collaboration, engagement, and facilitation skills, as well as the capacity to build authentic and productive relationships across difference.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to relay and present information, concepts, and challenges in a way that is engaging, coherent, and responsive to the needs and reference points of various audiences. 
• Proven experience applying restorative principles and/or principles of equity and anti-racism to pursue justice or systems transformation. 

The following are considered assets for this role:

• Previous experience working and/or volunteering with NSRJP referral sources (police, Public Prosecution Service, Courts, Correctional Services, and/or Victim Services) or community-based organizations (particularly those based in historically, structurally, and/or systemically excluded communities). 
• Proficiency in the French language.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. LEADS domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation. For details, visit: LEADS (novascotia.ca). During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. 

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. 
 

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
 

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Will work under time pressure and with competing priorities
• Will work in a dynamic environment of varying complexity, and continuous change 
• Will be required to travel within the province
  

Additional Information

This is a Term full-time position based in Halifax.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.