[Hiring] Government Relations Intern @Nisa Foundation

Role Description

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
• 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
  • Assist in organizing and preparing materials for GR meetings, including briefing notes, talking points, and follow-up summaries.
  • Support tracking of outreach efforts, correspondence, and engagements with elected officials and civil servants.
  • Help maintain a centralized GR contact database and engagement log.
• Systems & Process Improvement
  • Clean up, streamline, and redesign ClickUp lists 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)
  • Assist with 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 organizational data-protection policies.
  • Support other tasks that contribute to effective government relations and advocacy efforts.

Qualifications

• 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 to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Requirements

• This position is part of the Canadian government’s summer job program.
• Candidate must 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 Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

Benefits

• Nisa Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.