RE: Administrative Assistant
Dear Selection Committee,
Please accept this letter and enclosures as my application for the Administrative Assistant position at Gignul Non-Profit Housing Corporation. This opportunity aligns with my longstanding aspiration to join an inclusive and diverse organization. I believe my dedication to non-profit work, academic interests and previous work experience make me a well-suited candidate for the position.
I have attained an Undergraduate Degree from Carleton University, specifically a BA Combined Honours in Human Rights and Law with a specialization in Transnational Law. Thereafter, I went abroad to experience a new country and culture when I attended the UK’s prestigious University of Sussex. There, I graduated with distinction from the University of Sussex’s graduate LLM program in International Human Rights Law.
Throughout my education I have gained preliminary legal experience in an international setting as well as practical experience during my Masters. As part of the Master’s program at the University of Sussex, I was selected as a candidate in a competitive Human Rights Law Clinic in conjunction with Child Rights Connect, an international NGO. The product of the Clinic was a Memorandum composed of thorough research pertaining to legal issues in relation to a petition regarding climate change. Through this experience I gained and sharpened a number of skills: legal research, discerning material facts from immaterial, critical analysis skills and working as an effective member of a group.
Further, my work at Big Brothers Big Sisters, a Canadian NGO, helped me to develop and apply my knowledge in a demanding environment. This particular experience has allowed me to initiate leadership roles that have provided me with skills and expertise in coordination, communication and administrative duties. More specifically, I helped to organize a small fundraiser in Dunnville, Ontario and facilitate a weeklong summer camp for young girls in the community. I have also furthered these skills through volunteer experience, which has improved my organization and time management skills, as well as my ability to thrive under pressure. I am a long-standing volunteer with Beechwood Cemetery assisting with events. Most recently I helped to coordinate events for Orange Shirt Day in collaboration with The Caring Society.
My current role as an Intervenor at Lions McInnes House, a non-profit organization for the deafblind, has enabled me to cultivate my professional work ethic, passion for assisting with individuals' personal development, and overall experience with high stress situations. As such, my ability to both listen and lead, paired with my desire to advocate for vulnerable communities has become well refined. Although this position has led to rewarding professional and personal experiences, my goal is to apply and evolve my current skill by taking on new challenges through advocacy, policy work, and community building. I am aiming to do this in Ottawa, where I plan to relocate.
I believe that I possess the initiative, work ethic, enthusiasm and motivation that will make me a valuable addition to your organization. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jessica Raby