Legislative Counsel, Inuktitut

Overview

Thank you for your interest in this employment opportunity with the Government of Nunavut. This employment opportunity is open to all applicants.

The Government of Nunavut has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People, and recent graduates in 2026. Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory dedicated to improving governance, promoting use of the Inuktut language, achieving a representative public service, and collaborating with partners to support the people of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges, and opportunities for training and career advancement.

The Legislative Counsel, Inuktitut (Counsel), reporting to the Director, Legislation, prepares Inuktitut versions of Bills and regulations and reviews Bills and draft regulations translated or prepared by others. The Counsel provides legal advice and opinions on drafting, the legislative and regulatory processes, and the interpretation of legislation in Inuktitut. The Counsel also conducts legal research and provides advice on Inuit legal traditions, particularly as they relate to legislation.

The Counsel works with the Manager of Legal Translation, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun to ensure Inuktitut versions of Bills, Acts, regulations, and other instruments are legally accurate. The Counsel is responsible for developing and maintaining legislative drafting standards in Inuktitut to ensure consistency and legal accuracy while respecting the linguistic nature of Inuktut. The Counsel also liaises with the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit as necessary.

The Counsel attends meetings of the Standing Committee of the Whole to answer questions from Members of the Legislative Assembly and to assist the Minister and departmental officials in both Inuktitut and English.

The successful candidate must be fluent in written and spoken Inuktitut and legally authorized to practice law in Nunavut; the candidate must be a full member of the Law Society of Nunavut or have qualifications to become a full member within a reasonable time. The Counsel must be able to draft legislation or have the capacity to learn to draft legislation over time, typically acquired through experience as a legislative drafter or completion of a legislative drafting program, or both.

If the ability is not initially present, the candidate is expected to acquire it, which may include participating in university-level courses on legislative drafting (currently offered in languages other than Inuktitut).

The applicant must have a common law degree from a recognized Canadian university or have received a certificate of qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation, or an equivalent combination of education or experience demonstrating knowledge of Canadian common law.

Knowledge of Inuit legal traditions is a strong asset. This is a Position of Trust, and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check is required.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any official language. Fluency in Inuktitut, knowledge of linguistics as they apply to Inuktitut, and excellent English language comprehension skills are required. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut, and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also assets.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

• The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
• Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for consideration.
• Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates; an assessment will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This requirement applies to positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check.
• Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Candidates with foreign post-secondary credentials should have them assessed through a recognized Canadian educational institution; failure to do so may result in rejection of their application.