Job Description
Nisa Foundation is a community-based charity that has promoted safety, security, and mental wellness for racialized women across Canada since 2014. The organization provides toll-free peer-to-peer counseling services, transitional homes for women & children fleeing abuse or homelessness, and facilitates educational workshops. Nisa Foundation's mission is to transform communities by engaging, equipping, and enriching the lives of women and children to reach their full potential.
Job title
Government Relations Intern
Reports to
Grants and Government Relations Lead
Location
Hamilton - Remote
Job Status
Contract, 16-week (40 hours/week)
The Government Relations Intern will support the advancement of Nisa Foundation’s public policy, advocacy, and government engagement priorities. This role will focus on research, drafting policy and budget submissions, and strengthening internal systems for tracking government relations (GR) activities nationally.
The intern will gain hands-on experience in public affairs work, advocacy strategy, policy analysis, and government engagement processes within a national social service organization.
This internship is ideal for students studying Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Government Relations, Social Policy, Economics, or related fields.
Key Responsibilities:
Policy & Research
Conduct research on public policy issues relevant to Nisa Foundation’s mission (housing, gender-based violence, immigrant/refugee support, mental health, poverty).
Draft policy briefs,backgrounds, and position summaries to support advocacy efforts.
Support the development of budget submissions for municipal, provincial, and federal stakeholders.
Monitor government announcements, legislative updates, consultations, and funding opportunities.
Prepare environmental scans, jurisdictional comparisons, and stakeholder maps as needed.
Government Relations Coordination
Assistin organizing and preparing materials for GR meetings, including briefing notes, talking points, and follow-up summaries.
Supporttracking ofoutreach efforts, correspondence, and engagements with elected officials and civil servants.
Helpmaintaina centralized GR contact database and engagement log.
Systems & Process Improvement
Clean up, streamline, and redesignClickUplists used for GR tracking.
Implement user-friendly systems for tracking:
Government contacts
Meeting follow-ups
Advocacy actions
Policy deadlines and key dates
Develop templates for consistent GR documentation (meeting notes, briefing notes, policy summaries).
Communications Support (as needed)
Assistwith drafting advocacy-related messages for internal teams.
Support preparation of presentations, slide decks, and visual materials for government submissions or meetings.
General
Ensure all GR materials align with Nisa Foundation’s values, priorities, and trauma-informed approach.
Maintain confidentiality and follow organizationaldata-protectionpolicies.
Support other tasks that contribute to effective government relations and advocacy efforts.
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION:
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Social Policy, or related fields.
Strong research and analytical skills.
Excellent written communication, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, concise material.
Familiarity with policy development, government structures, or legislative processes (asset).
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Experience with project management or productivity tools (ClickUp, Asana, Trello) is an asset.
Ability tomaintainprofessionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
Eligibility
This position is part of the Canadian government’s summer job program.
Candidatemust be legally eligible to work in Canada(Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a protected person within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.Able to provide a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Must be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment
Must have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canadain accordance withrelevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
Nisa Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
Job title
Government Relations Intern
Reports to
Grants and Government Relations Lead
Location
Hamilton - Remote
Job Status
Contract, 16-week (40 hours/week)
The Government Relations Intern will support the advancement of Nisa Foundation’s public policy, advocacy, and government engagement priorities. This role will focus on research, drafting policy and budget submissions, and strengthening internal systems for tracking government relations (GR) activities nationally.
The intern will gain hands-on experience in public affairs work, advocacy strategy, policy analysis, and government engagement processes within a national social service organization.
This internship is ideal for students studying Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Government Relations, Social Policy, Economics, or related fields.
Key Responsibilities:
Policy & Research
Conduct research on public policy issues relevant to Nisa Foundation’s mission (housing, gender-based violence, immigrant/refugee support, mental health, poverty).
Draft policy briefs,backgrounds, and position summaries to support advocacy efforts.
Support the development of budget submissions for municipal, provincial, and federal stakeholders.
Monitor government announcements, legislative updates, consultations, and funding opportunities.
Prepare environmental scans, jurisdictional comparisons, and stakeholder maps as needed.
Government Relations Coordination
Assistin organizing and preparing materials for GR meetings, including briefing notes, talking points, and follow-up summaries.
Supporttracking ofoutreach efforts, correspondence, and engagements with elected officials and civil servants.
Helpmaintaina centralized GR contact database and engagement log.
Systems & Process Improvement
Clean up, streamline, and redesignClickUplists used for GR tracking.
Implement user-friendly systems for tracking:
Government contacts
Meeting follow-ups
Advocacy actions
Policy deadlines and key dates
Develop templates for consistent GR documentation (meeting notes, briefing notes, policy summaries).
Communications Support (as needed)
Assistwith drafting advocacy-related messages for internal teams.
Support preparation of presentations, slide decks, and visual materials for government submissions or meetings.
General
Ensure all GR materials align with Nisa Foundation’s values, priorities, and trauma-informed approach.
Maintain confidentiality and follow organizationaldata-protectionpolicies.
Support other tasks that contribute to effective government relations and advocacy efforts.
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION:
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Social Policy, or related fields.
Strong research and analytical skills.
Excellent written communication, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, concise material.
Familiarity with policy development, government structures, or legislative processes (asset).
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Experience with project management or productivity tools (ClickUp, Asana, Trello) is an asset.
Ability tomaintainprofessionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
Eligibility
This position is part of the Canadian government’s summer job program.
Candidatemust be legally eligible to work in Canada(Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a protected person within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.Able to provide a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Must be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment
Must have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canadain accordance withrelevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
Nisa Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Government Relations Intern position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Hamilton offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
