Recruitment posting
Alberta Law Foundation
Competition #: 777
Ministry : Justice
Opening Date : 2023/01/06
closing Date : 2023/01/20
Role : Public Member
It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.
The Minister of Justice is seeking applications from individuals who are interested in serving as a Board Director for the Alberta Law Foundation. This position is to be filled by an individual who is not a member of the Law Society of Alberta.
The Alberta Law Foundation, established under the Legal Profession Act in 1973, funds programs that conduct legal research, propose law reforms, improve Albertans’ knowledge of their legal rights and responsibilities and help them effectively exercise their rights under the law.
The Foundation receives the interest which financial institutions pay on clients’ funds held in lawyers’ pooled trust accounts and in turn allocates grants and funding to organizations engaged in activities which are considered to be in keeping with the Foundation’s objectives. Twenty-five percent of the Foundation’s revenue from interest on trust accounts goes to supporting Legal Aid Alberta.
The objects of the Foundation, as set out in the Legal Profession Act, are:
- Conducting research into and recommending reform of law and the administration of justice;
- Establishing, maintaining, and operating law libraries;
- Contributing to the legal education and knowledge of the people of Alberta and providing programs and facilities for those purposes;
- Providing assistance to Indigenous people's legal programs, student legal aid programs, and programs of like nature; and
- Contributing to the costs incurred by the Legal Aid Society of Alberta to administer a plan to provide legal aid.
Board and Committee Structure
The Board consists of seven Directors, three appointed by the Minister of Justice, two by the Law Society of Alberta and two by the other Directors. Committees established by the Board include: Governance, Finance, Audit & Risk Management and Human Resources.
Role of the Public Member
- Setting the strategic direction of the Foundation;
- Developing and approving policy matters of the Foundation;
- Supervising the management and administration of the general affairs of the Foundation;
- Appointing and determining duties, remuneration and performance evaluation of the Executive Director;
- Overseeing the Finance, Audit and Risk Management functions of the Foundation including the investment and management of Foundation funds;
- Board succession planning and ensuring the competencies required of directors are represented on the Board; and
- Making the ultimate decision about grant applications made to the Foundation.
Applicants should demonstrate the following skills and competencies or be able to develop these skills in a short period of time:
- The ability to review and analyze grant applications, budgets, financial statements and annual reports;
- An understanding of non-profit program design, development, delivery and evaluation;
- An understanding of the type of information that members of the public seek regarding the law and their rights, and various modes of delivering such information;
- An awareness of the legal and related needs of vulnerable populations;
- Experience on non-profit boards and/or committees or related volunteer experience in the areas of governance, strategic planning, human resources, or risk management.
- A background in one or more of the following areas: law and the justice system (e.g. as an advocate, administrator, law enforcement, mediator, victims assistance etc.) social work, psychology, sociology, counselling or another area of human services, working with Indigenous communities, human resources management or education.
The appointment is made by Ministerial Order for a term of two years. Remuneration is paid on a per diem basis and is based on the Order in Council 466/2007:
A member of a committee, other than the chairman, shall be paid: a) $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or b) $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or c) $427 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
The chairman or person acting as the chairman of a committee shall be paid: a) $219 for up to and including four hours in any day, or b) $383 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or c) $601 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
Travel to communities across Alberta may be required and travel expenses are reimbursed by the Foundation.
Full attendance and participation are required for the five regular Board meetings each year, including the annual planning meeting. Board meetings may be held in Edmonton, Calgary and other locations in Alberta. There is substantial material to review prior to meetings. Meetings are usually held over 2 days.
The director will also be required to sit on one or two committees of the board (Governance; Finance, Audit
& Risk Management; or Human Resources). Committees meet in between board meetings 2 to 5 times a year, depending on the committee.
In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download the biography form.
Once the forms are completed, save them to your PC. When you click on submit application, you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop or upload your completed biography form and others requested into the ‘Drop files below or click to upload’ section.
Please note: This ad will close on January 20th or will be extended until a suitable candidate is found.
The posting may be used to fill current and future public agency vacancies.
Executive Search, Alberta Public Service Commission.
Phone: 780-408-8460
Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.
Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.
Provide a short 4 line biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should include your name, current work experience, board/committee experience and relevant education. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.
Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.
If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
The personal information in ePAAS is collected pursuant to section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be used to administer and manage recruitment for current and future public agency appointment opportunities. Questions regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of this information, may be directed to the Public Agency Secretariat, Public Service Commission, 12th Floor 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 - 108 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S7 or by calling 780-644-3060. Applicants will be required to identify any real or perceived conflicts of interest and may be required to undergo additional screening.
Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name, biography, public agency, and position title.