Research & Law Reform Assistant Analyst

Request for Proposal/Contract Opportunity: Research & Law Reform Analyst

Introduction

At the Centre for Family Equity, we are dedicated to eliminating family poverty in BC. We propose evidence-based public policy solutions to poverty that create opportunities for families to thrive. We carry out research, community engagement, advocacy, legal action, and law reform. Our programs and initiatives are led by the communities we serve, ensuring they reflect the real and evolving needs of families across BC. We are a province-wide network of low-income parents and caregivers in over 41 BC communities. We build leadership capacity among families affected by socioeconomic inequality while advancing community-led solutions. Our guiding principles are rooted in justice, equity, solidarity, and community leadership. The CFE takes a human rights-based approach to advocacy and systems change, addressing the complex structural inequities that affect families.

Through our Legal Aid Lifeline project, we work to ensure that newly implemented, traumainformed, client-centered legal aid models effectively meet the complex needs of low-income and marginalized individuals impacted by family violence.

We are seeking a contract Research & Law Reform Analyst based in BC to conduct a combination of research and law reform analysis primarily for Legal Aid Lifeline, with some assignments across multiple project areas of the CFE.

The research findings and related analysis of potential law reform will directly inform the Legal Aid Lifeline project and bolster CFE’s ongoing advocacy and engagement to protect, improve and enhance access to adequate, quality legal aid services across British Columbia for those impacted by family violence/intimate partner violence.

Associated areas of assigned research and law reform analysis tasks include our K-12 Without

Racism project, which identifies potential law reform of the BC School Act, the CFE’s Out of the Margins project on disability justice, discrimination and family well-being, and our work to address BC’s earnings exemption and spousal cap policies for lone mothers and others accessing provincial assistance.

Scope of Work & Key Responsibilities

Working collaboratively with the project team, the Research & Law Reform Analyst will:

• Conduct comprehensive legal and policy research on international and comparative models of trauma-informed, client-centred family legal aid service delivery.
• Identify and evaluate innovative legal aid approaches, frameworks, and mechanisms designed to support individuals navigating family violence.
• Analyze how global best practices can be applied to British Columbia’s family legal aid landscape and service models.
• Author a high-quality, internal (potentially external/shared) comprehensive research report synthesizing key findings and actionable recommendations for law reform and advocacy.
• Participate in regular check-in meetings with CFE project leadership to review progress, incorporate feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Complete research and law reform analysis tasks as assigned in the areas of income and disability assistance policy, the BC School Act, and BC’s compliance with various human rights conventions in targeted areas (CEDAW, CRPD, CRC, and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights).

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must be based in British Columbia (the position is fully remote; candidates from anywhere in BC are encouraged to apply).
• Demonstrated track record of rigorous legal research, statutory/policy analysis, and clear academic or policy analysis/report writing.
• Completion of a Law degree (J.D. / LL.B. / LL.M.), a Ph.D. in Law or a related socio-legal discipline, or current enrollment in a relevant M.A. or Ph.D. program is an asset.
• Solid understanding of access to justice, family law, trauma-informed legal practice, gender-based violence, and some familiarity with Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction policy and reporting, BC’s Anti-Racism Act and Anti-Racism Data Act, the MBM, statistical poverty reporting, and socio-economic inequality.
• Ability to synthesize complex global legal frameworks into practical, policy-relevant insights.
• Experience with analysis of Canada and BC’s compliance with UN human rights conventions and shadow reporting to convention reviews is an asset.
• Excellent research and data analysis skills, self-direction, and ability to meet agreedupon deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to work with a diverse staff group at a community-centred organization – potential for engagement with our project groups and peer research leads, as needed.
• Seeking a highly motivated, independent contractor who is still eager to work collaboratively and develop relationships with our staff group as an associate and ally.

Contract Details & Terms

Position Type: Independent Contractor (Research & Law Reform Analyst).

Location: Remote / Flexible within British Columbia.

Duration & Timeline: Starts in September 2026 / est 10-15 hours per week or concentrated work times to complete tasks to collaborative deadlines.

Remuneration / Fee: To be negotiated – please propose your rates. This role is generally aligned with university research rates for students. $15,000 total for first phase.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application package, including:

• A cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in CFE’s mission.
• Resume/CV
• A relevant brief writing sample - optional (e.g., policy brief, article, or legal memo).
• Brief Research Approach – optional (up to 1-page max) - a short summary of your proposed methodology and approach.

We are aiming to fill this position in September 2026. Please apply now!

Please send your application materials to asumi@centreforequity.ca with the subject line “Application: Research & Law Reform Analyst – [Your Name]”.

Staff Contact:

Asumi Oba

Operations & Capacity-Building Lead

Centre for Family Equity

Email: asumi@centreforequity.ca

*The Centre for Family Equity is committed to equity, diversity, and social justice. We encourage qualified legal researchers of all genders, backgrounds, and identities from across B.C. to apply. Please reach out to the staff person listed above if you wish to discuss your accessibility needs regarding submitting your application package and the interview process.