Based in Ottawa in a hybrid work environment, the Consultant, Federal Advocacy, will be a key member of Counsel Public Affairs’ growing federal government relations practice.

At Counsel, our team of government and public relations strategists offer a tailored approach to each client’s unique public affairs needs.  As a Consultant, you will work closely with our leadership team to solve problems and deliver results for clients, with a focus on the federal government.

We’re looking for a relationship builder with a passion for public affairs.  Applicants may have experience in government relations, policy and strategic communications.  Candidates for the Consultant role will have 2-4 years of experience working in government, politics, agency, corporate or association settings.

As a member of our team, your work will range from monitoring and research, to client support, to direct government advocacy.

Applicants must be eligible to lobby federal public office holders in accordance with the federal Lobbying Act.

Knowledge of the federal legislative process is important.  Familiarity with federal issues in a wide range of sectors is a definite asset.

Excellent communications skills are a must, and fluency in both official languages is strongly desired.  Candidates must have a proven ability to work independently, with regular touchpoints to meet key deliverables.

Members of our team bring diverse skills to their work. We encourage the pursuit of new lines of business. Counsel places its immediate focus on quality client work but business development and community engagement are also encouraged.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Key accountabilities include:

Government Relations and Public Affairs

• Monitoring the federal political and policy environment and updating Counsel’s clients and leadership team on key developments;
• Research and policy development in support of client goals;
• Developing analysis for clients on breaking issues in government including new policies, cabinet shuffles, budgets and elections;
• Arranging meetings with parliamentarians and government officials on behalf of clients;
• Stakeholder outreach;
• Working closely with Counsel’s integrated public relations practice on campaigns geared towards achieving government relations objectives;
• Participation in key public affairs and policy events;
• Business development focused on potential clients;
• Drafting proposals, pitches, briefs, letters, messaging, presentations and responses to RFPs;
• Basic administration, including tracking of tasks and expenses as well as registering federal lobbying communications.

About Counsel Public Affairs
Established in 2004, Counsel is a national firm with a team of over 30 team members representing Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa.

Counsel provides a full suite of services in national and provincial government relations and public affairs, including lobbying, crisis communications, strategic communications, media training, “PR4GR” campaigns, public opinion research, Indigenous facilitation, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion consulting.

Application information:

If you are interested in applying, please submit a cover letter and resume to: careers@counselpa.com before Friday, June 2, 2023.

We thank you for your interest in Counsel Public Affairs. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

TERM: Summer Internship (June 1st, 2023 to August 31st, 2023)

Want to work on the biggest public policy changes facing Canada?

Based in our Toronto office, Counsel’s new Government Relations Intern will be an important member of our growing team.

This position is a fully paid internship offering an in-office work experience.

At Counsel, we offer each client a tailored approach to their unique government relations and communications needs. Our new GR Intern will have the opportunity to work closely with our teams across the country to help solve problems and deliver results for our clients at the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. As a member of the Counsel team, your work will range from research and news monitoring to client engagement to strategic plan development.

The successful applicant must have a demonstrated passion for public affairs. Applicants may have experience in government relations, policy and strategic communications, and we will consider lived experience in community organizing and other applicable experiences. Familiarity with current federal, provincial and municipal issues in a wide range of policy areas is essential, with knowledge of the provincial legislative processes an asset.

Excellent communications skills are a must, and candidates must have a proven ability to work independently, work well within a team, report regularly and meet key deliverables.

Compensation will include a competitive internship wage, paid vacation as well as other perks to ensure you have a rewarding internship experience.

Bottom line…we’re looking for someone who is energetic, bright and curious.

Duties Include:

• Assistance with the research, development and execution of government relations strategies;
• Monitoring the political and policy environment and reporting updates to clients and the leadership team on key developments (e.g., government announcements, speeches, staff changes, budgets, cabinet shuffles etc.);
• Research and preparation of proposals, pitches, briefs, letters and PowerPoint presentations for client files and business development;
• Setting, preparing for, and attending client meetings/conference calls;
• Project management with the ability to meet deadlines while juggling competing priorities;
• Assistance with stakeholder outreach and management;
• Maintaining political intelligence through media monitoring;
• Monitoring the progress of legislation and other key policy pieces within specific jurisdictions;
• Basic administrative tasks including scheduling of meetings, minute taking, tracking of hours and expenses;
• On-time delivery of assignments and projects despite client delay, changes in direction, and revised budgets; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications (must haves):

• A final year student in a post-secondary institution
• While there is a strong preference for the social sciences, we will consider applications from students in other disciplines
• Proof of enrolment required
• Strong writing and research skills
• Writing sample required
• Able to communicate well within a team and, when requested, with clients
• Candidate can hold themselves to the highest of ethical standards when working within our team, and in client facing spaces
• Able to multi-task and maintain progress on assignments
• Available during regular working hours (total of 40 hours a week)
• Ability to respectfully engage with a multi-partisan team

Additional Qualifications (nice to haves):

• Familiarity with municipal, provincial, or federal legislative processes
• Experience in advocacy or political activism
• Experience working or volunteering on political campaigns
• Graphic/digital design
• Grassroots organizing
• Statistical analysis
• Ability to speak and write in a language other than English

How to Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter to careers@counselpa.com

About Counsel Public Affairs

Counsel is one of Canada’s leading public affairs agencies, specializing in government relations, strategic communications, and integrated campaigns. Established in 2004 in Ontario, today Counsel is a national firm, with offices in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto Ottawa.

Counsel’s team has decades of experience and includes senior individuals who have quarterbacked national political campaigns, run provincial war rooms, written winning platforms, served as Cabinet Ministers, led First Nations, held executive roles in major corporations and, most importantly, helped hundreds of clients to succeed.

Our government relations and strategic communication experience is broad, providing us with expertise across a wide range of sectors including health care, agriculture, construction and development, energy, financial services, Indigenous affairs, legal, pharmaceuticals, post-secondary and research institutions, regulated professions, the sharing economy, and much more.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
As one of Canada’s leading public affairs agencies, we know that government and public relations is a field that often lacks diverse voices, and we are committed to changing that through internal education and changing our practices. We strongly encourage applications from historically, persistently, and/or systematically marginalized groups.