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JOB OPENING: Restorative Justice Pilot Program Justice Navigator- May 2025

African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) is accepting applications for the position of the Restorative Justice Pilot Program Justice Navigator


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JOB SUMMARY:


The purpose of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute’s Restorative Justice Pilot Program (ANSJI RJPP) is to deliver a community-based model of accountability that is grounded in Africentric principles and guided by conceptions of justice learned through research and found within African Nova Scotian and Black communities of African Descent.


This pilot program has five main objectives:

  1. Develop a culturally-informed, community-based Africentric Restorative Justice Program;

  2. Create a community-based system of accountability to ensure that commitments made within ANSJI’s RJPP are followed through with;

  3. Address harm through healing practices and, when possible, actionable commitments from the harm-doer to repair harm;

  4. Provide harm-doers with the opportunity to repair harm and reconcile with the community through actionable commitments; and

  5. Interrupt cycles of harm (intergenerational and present-day) by providing the resources and supports needed to heal people who have experienced harm, harm- doers and communities.


The RJPP Justice Navigator will work with the RJPP Social Work Project Manager to provide resources and supports (therapy and other services aimed at improving justice outcomes for people within the project) to participants in the RJPP to ensure that they have what they need to heal and interrupt any cycles of harm within their families and communities. The RJPP Justice Navigator will also help to facilitate RJPP circles. The final role of the RJPP Justice Navigator will be to educate Black communities to raise awareness about restorative justice processes, and in the process help to recruit people into the RJPP.


Reporting Structure: The RJPP Justice Navigator will report directly to the RJPP Social

Work Project Manager for the Restorative Justice Pilot Program.


ANSJI Mandate:

To address issues of systemic racism in the criminal justice system that negatively impact African Nova Scotians while ensuring fair, legal, and constitutional treatment of all Black people in Nova Scotia.


ANSJI Vision:

To create programs and services that adequately address institutional racism faced by African Nova Scotians and their families when dealing with human rights complaints, the justice system, all forms of law enforcement and incarceration. The ANSJI will be a place African Nova Scotians can turn to when seeking legal advice, guidance and advocacy that understands African Nova Scotians as a distinct people. Government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and community groups will look to the ANSJI as a leader in legal research, advocacy and education on justice issues affecting African Nova Scotian Communities.


Skills, Qualifications and Experience:


Historical Knowledge and Understanding:

  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the history, contributions, and challenges of African Nova Scotians as a distinct people in Nova Scotia.

  • Demonstrated ability to work within African Nova Scotian communities.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the historical, and current issues faced by persons of African descent in the criminal justice system.

  • Knowledge and understanding of Black immigrant and newcomer populations in Nova Scotia.


Technical Knowledge

  • Demonstrated experience working with Nova Scotia’s Restorative Justice Program or Restorative/Alternative Justice Processes.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience with mental health, addictions, and family related conflict as it relates to African Nova Scotians/persons of African descent.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience related to the challenges and barriers faced by African Nova Scotian youth/youth of African Descent who are “at-risk” (Education, addiction, mental health, family fragmentation, conflict, police involvement).

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience in relation to understanding of the criminal justice system including but not limited to the Police, the Court, the Crown, the Defense, Probation, Corrections, and the community service providers who interface with those services.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience related to community resources, organizations, and groups working to support African Nova Scotian/African Descent communities as it relates to navigating the justice system.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience with community organizations to identify and build networks and referral processes to support individuals with basic and or complex needs.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience in relation to restorative justice approaches as it relates to persons of African descent in Nova Scotia.

  • Demonstrated lived or employment experience working with communities experiencing lower socio-economic status.


Qualifications and Skills

  • Completion of a college or university program in social work, law, health, or other related social science related disciplines is considered an asset but not required.

  • 3 years employment or volunteer related experience in a social service/community environment working with African Nova Scotian communities/Communities of African Descent and their families in a culturally diverse and or low-income communities.

  • Class 5 driver’s license and or access to reliable transportation.

  • Ability to take direction and work effectively in a team environment.

  • Experience with program implementation and administration.

  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

  • Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and related programs.


Working Environment

  • Fast paced, high stress work environment, that will require you to be agile and learn quickly.

  • You will be an employee of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute and have an office location.

  • The necessary technology to fulfil employment duties will be provided.


Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check

Successful applicants are required to provide a Criminal Record Check (including Vulnerable Sector Search) before starting employment. While it is mandatory to submit a criminal record check, possessing a criminal record does not automatically eliminate you from being selected as the successful candidate.


Given the specific requirements of the job, certain criminal records may be deemed unsuitable for consideration as part of the selection process for the successful candidate.


Compensation & Terms of Employment


The ANSJI RJPP Justice Navigator role is a contractual position part of a one year pilot project.


The salary range for this position for the first year of the position is set at $60, 000 – 70, 000 per annum. ANSJI is open and willing to discuss and negotiate secondments, reciprocal arrangements, and leave. We invite all expressions of interest.


Hours of Work: Hours of work are typically Monday to Friday 9:00am-4:30pm (flexibility on start and end times) but some evening and weekend work may be required. ANSJI operates within a traditional work environment and anticipates that a significant portion of the work will be conducted within the office.


Holidays: Holiday pay is paid to all full-time and part-time employees in accordance with the Nova Scotia Labor Standards Code. ANSJI observes the following holidays:


  • Salaried Workers: New Year’s Day, Heritage Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday in August (Natal Day), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

  • All other days that may be considered holiday will need prior approval of the Executive Director.


Vacation: The Employee will earn up to fifteen (15) days of vacation per annum (Pro-rated based on start date) and will be taken at agreed upon times by the Employee and Employer. Additionally, there are two designated "shut down" periods one in the summer and one in the winter months during which you will have time off. The Employee will be notified of these shut down periods in advance.


Probation Period: Successful candidates will undergo a 3–month probationary period to assess performance and suitability for continued employment.


Pension: Upon completion of the mandatory probationary period, the employee will be permitted to join ANSJI RRSP pension matching program if interested, but this is not mandatory


Benefits: The Employee will be eligible to enroll in the ANSJI benefits program after successful completion of the probationary period. The benefits are mandatory unless waived by the insurance company if the Employee has comparable coverage.


We invite all applicants to submit a completed application consisting of a resume/CV and cover letter. Please submit your expression of interest to the ANSJI Operations Manager, Sarah Upshaw, at sarah.upshaw@ansji.ca subject line: Justice Navigator RJ Project, no later than Midnight on May 21st, 2025.


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