We’re Hiring: Project Lead, Legal Needs Assessment
The Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia (CMWR NS) is a community-based organization which engages in support services, outreach, community-building and rights-based education to advance migrant worker rights, equality and well-being in Nova Scotia. We are currently seeking a Project Lead, Legal Needs Assessment.
We encourage applications from candidates who have lived experience of migration, xenophobia, and racism, including applications from those who are BIPOC (Black people, Indigenous peoples, and People of Colour).
Deadline to apply: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11.59pm Atlantic time
Anticipated start date: June 22, 2026
End date of contract: January 29, 2027
Schedule: 33 hours/week
Compensation: $30/hour + 4% vacation pay
Location: Must be based in Nova Scotia
About the Role
The Project Lead, Legal Needs Assessment will lead the design and implementation of a community-based legal needs assessment to identify barriers migrant workers face in accessing legal information, services, and justice across Nova Scotia. The legal needs assessment will focus on migrant workers in the agriculture sector and in the low-waged stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), particularly in the seafood processing sector. This role involves research design, coordination, and data collection; data management and qualitative analysis; public communications and knowledge sharing; and project management and administration. The Project Lead will collaborate with a team that includes CMWR NS’ Executive Director, a part-time Research Assistant, an Advisory Committee and volunteers.
Responsibilities
Research Design, Coordination & Data Collection:
Develop research instruments and materials (e.g., consent forms, surveys, interview guides), ensuring accessibility, cultural relevance, and compliance with ethical standards.
Coordinate and implement data collection activities, including survey, focus groups, and interviews (online and in-person across Nova Scotia).
Develop participant recruitment materials and implement participant recruitment strategy.
Coordinate logistics for data collection activities, including scheduling, participant communications, and facilitation support.
Provide support to students conducting literature review and service mapping.
Data Management & Analysis:
Oversee data collection, storage, and documentation, ensuring secure handling of all research data.
Prepare qualitative data for analysis, including reviewing transcripts, cleaning data, and coding, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Conduct qualitative analysis to identify key themes and findings.
Public Communications & Knowledge Sharing:
Lead the development of a public-facing final report, including findings, analysis, and recommendations, in collaboration with colleagues.
Develop knowledge translation materials (e.g., handouts, social media graphics, one-pagers, short videos) in collaboration with design and media professionals.
Lead the planning and coordination of a public launch event to share research findings publicly.
Ensure research findings are communicated in accessible, culturally appropriate formats for diverse audiences.
Project Management & Administration:
Manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure successful and timely completion of all project components.
Coordinate internal communications, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and materials for collaborative work, and documenting decisions and action items.
Provide ongoing supervision, coordination, and support to volunteers and students to ensure meaningful and effective engagement with project activities.
Manage and track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure successful and timely completion of all project components.
Manage assigned budget and track expenditures to ensure spending stays within budget.
Experience and Qualifications
Minimum of Master’s degree in a related field, such as Sociology, Political Science, Socio-legal studies, Public Policy, Political & Legal Thought, or Social Work or a law degree (e.g., JD or equivalent).
Experience coordinating community-based or participatory research projects, preferably in a non-profit or equity-focused setting.
Demonstrated experience with various research methods, including focus groups, interviews and surveys.
Experience working directly with migrant communities, racialized populations, and/or other equity-deserving groups using trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive frameworks.
Experience developing accessible and plain-language research tools and materials for participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Knowledge of the Canadian immigration system, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, as well as migrant workers’ legal needs and the access to justice challenges they face. Or a strong understanding of social, economic, political and systemic barriers to access to legal services for groups such as precarious workers or migrant communities.
Proven ability to coordinate recruitment, outreach, and engagement activities.
Experience managing and analyzing research data, including qualitative coding, quantitative survey data analysis, secure data storage, and reporting.
Experience drafting research reports, public-facing materials, and knowledge mobilization products targeted at both community and policy audiences.
Strong project coordination experience, including managing timelines, deliverables, and communication with a team.
Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) would be considered a strong asset.
Skills and Competencies
Qualitative Research & Analysis: Strong skills in designing studies, facilitating data collection, analyzing findings, and generating actionable insights.
Community Engagement & Relationship-Building: Skilled in building trust, rapport, and meaningful relationships with migrant communities, racialized populations, and/or other equity-deserving groups.
Cultural Humility & Anti-Oppression: Deep commitment to a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered practice with migrant and racialized communities.
Ethics and Confidentiality: Strong knowledge of ethical research practices, including informed consent, confidentiality, and participant safety.
Project Coordination: Highly organized with the ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously, meet deadlines, and maintain clear records and documentation.
Knowledge Mobilization: Ability to translate complex findings into knowledge-sharing materials for diverse audiences.
Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and stakeholders.
Event Planning and Facilitation: Ability to organize activities and events for diverse audiences.
Technological Proficiency: Comfortable using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.). Experience with analysis software is considered an asset.
Commitment to Organizational Values: Demonstrated alignment with values of migrant justice, mutual aid, solidarity, anti-racism, gender justice, and/or coalition-building.
If you are interested in this position but do not meet all of the qualifications and skill requirements, we still encourage you to apply.
What We Offer
Paid time off and support for professional development.
Orientation and ongoing role support.
A collaborative, equity-driven work environment.
Opportunities to work directly with migrant communities and contribute to systemic change.
Conditions of Employment
The Project Lead, Legal Needs Assessment will report to the CMWR NS Executive Director.
The Project Lead, Legal Needs Assessment and Executive Director will jointly determine the work schedule. They must be available some evenings and/or weekends in order to accommodate workers’ schedules.
The role will mostly be remote, with some in-person activities across Nova Scotia.
They may be asked to perform additional duties as required and as their hours permit.
Reimbursement for eligible expenses, for example, mileage and internet subsidy.
How To Apply
To apply, send a brief cover letter and CV in one PDF document to jobs@migrantjusticens.ca. Please indicate the position title in your subject line. In your cover letter, please briefly indicate the following:
Why you are interested in this opportunity
How your experience/qualifications have prepared you for this position
Where you are located
Where you heard about this opportunity
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
