Irene C. Ekweozoh
Waterloo,Canada
Summary
Professional with strong background in policy analysis, prepared to drive impactful initiatives within dynamic environment. Brings wealth of knowledge in creating effective policy frameworks and driving initiatives that support organizational objectives. Expertise in research, data analysis, policy and program development, with keen ability to navigate complex regulations and legislative frameworks. Highly collaborative, results-driven, and adaptable to changing needs, consistently delivering reliable outcomes. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and strategic planning, with focus on fostering teamwork and achieving organizational goals.
Experienced policy professional prepared to excel in strategic policy development and analysis. Committed to fostering team collaboration and adapting to dynamic environments, ensuring reliable and flexible performance. Expertise in research, policy evaluation, and stakeholder communication.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
06.2023 - Current
- Conducted a comprehensive review of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act (FBCSA) 2002 Act and related legislations, policies and procedures and identified areas for improvement
- Reviewed guidance and compliance materials and drafted updates to improve compliance by Landowners and Licensed Archaeologists
- Identified policy and procedure issue areas for change and led Change Management
- Collaborated on finalizing the Compliance Plan for Landowners when undertaking Burial Sites Investigation
- Drafted a Project Charter on the Feasibility of a Permit System for Licensed Archaeologists
- Researched and analyzed relevant legislations and best practices in other jurisdictions to provide evidence-based recommendations on legislative amendments to the FBCSA
- Developed procedural guidance to assist the Registrar in assessing cemetery abandonment requests in making a determination to submit an application for a declaration of abandonment to a Justice of the Superior Court of Justice
- Prepared Briefing Notes on proposed Policy and Procedure Framework
- Drafted Memoranda of Understanding with internal partners to facilitate data sharing and closer issues collaboration
- Conceptualized, planned, developed and recommended policy and programs consistent with identified strategic objectives to reflect best business and service delivery practices
- Conducted analysis of policy trends and directions that impact provincial policy directions for efficient provision of consumer protection services
- Identified issues and gaps in policy and procedures and devised creative policy solutions or options to bridge the gaps
- Develop critical stakeholder relationships with ministry and external partners and led Stakeholder consultations and engagement to develop consensus as well as identify and resolve concerns
- Undertook policy research and analysis to support proposed policy and program recommendations and solicit input on joint policy concerns with other ministries, community agencies, federal/provincial/territorial counterparts
- Provided advice on policy issues and prepared communication materials including briefing notes, correspondence, policy papers and presentations to senior management
Court and Client Representative
Ministry of the Attorney General
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Provided court administration expertise ensuring services are delivered in an accessible, fair, timely and effective way to the judiciary and all justice participants in keeping with Ontario Public Service Rules
- Supported in court and out of court functions across all levels and business lines in compliance with federal and provincial legislation, rules of court, practice directions, processes, and policies
- Acted as liaison to facilitate prompt communications between counsel and judiciary
- Assisted public and counsel by determining the nature, scope of their needs, researching information and resources and redirecting to other correct sources and resources
- Prepared and ensured accuracy and completion of court documents for criminal, civil and family proceedings and updated data on SharePoint and Microsoft Excel
- Supported modernization of courts by participating in pilot projects and providing feedback and keeping apprised of updates and delivery of enhancements to existing processes and procedures
- Recorded statistical data, prepared, and reviewed reports from various systems
- Participated in meetings and working groups on proposed operational changes to improve the quality of client and employee experience to achieve service excellence
- Provided concise explanations and clarification of complex information such as Rules, guidelines, procedures, and legislation to clients
- Supported virtual courtroom hearings on zoom and led meetings on Microsoft Teams
- Provided guidance to clients on use of technology to ensure effective and efficient communication and in line with the Best Practices Guide for Remote Hearing
Legal Administrative Assistant
Adams-Idode Law Professional Corporation
10.2019 - 11.2021
- Liaised between clients, attorneys, courts, and other involved parties from discovery to trial and appeal to ensure proper and timely communication of information about process filing deadlines, exhibit collection, hearings, and post hearings compliance with Rules of Procedure
- Edited and proofread legal documents including affidavits, pleadings, subpoenas, deposition notices and briefs prepared by Counsel to ensure content, spelling and grammar accuracy
- Tracked changes in Microsoft Word for final review by Counsel to maximize productivity
- Perfected and circulated document to relevant parties with directions for action items
- Interviewed and prepared intake sheets for clients and ensured prompt responses to phone and email inquiries
- Displayed utmost professionalism in all client interactions, successfully engaged clients and resolved complex inquiries through empathetic listening, practical support and win-win scenarios
Legal Research Assistant
Agbakwas LLP
10.2018 - 09.2019
- Researched and analyzed laws, regulations, best practices, and case law to support arguments
- Maintained relations and daily communications with counsel, court staff and clients
- Ordered transcripts from court reporters, commissioned, and prepared affidavits and liaised with clients, agents and counsel throughout Ontario and at other provincial jurisdictions
- Prepared Trial Records and Affidavits of Documents; assembled Application Records and Books of Authorities and scheduled examinations for discovery and mediation
- Handled sensitive and confidential client information and redacted confidential information from legal documents on a case-by-case basis
- Mitigated legal teams’ workload by reviewing and evaluating legal documents including discovery materials and contracts
- Completed case research via Lexis Nexis and West Law databases
Policy Analyst
Centre for International Governance Innovation
03.2017 - 09.2018
- Conducted multidisciplinary research and critical analysis of federal and provincial statutes, case law, policies, and prepared recommendations to proffer innovative practical policy solutions
- Researched and wrote reports on business, human rights, Canada`s duty to protect and environmental governance
- Gathered, verified, analyzed, applied, and interpreted federal and provincial laws, regulations, and policy programs as it applies to protection of lives and rights of Canadians
- Conducted comparative research and analyses on global anticorruption regimes, transparency and accountability, stakeholder engagement, sustainable resource governance
- Supported design and implementation of survey instruments and performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis
- Collaborated with team to identify relevant questions, determine best methods of data and evidence collection using qualitative and quantitative methods
Policy Analyst
Improvtech Consulting
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Led project teams in conceptualizing, planning, developing, and evaluating program proposals consistent with client business requirements
- Identified trends, directions using modelling tools and advised/assisted clients to develop new programs to take advantage of market trends and opportunities
- Researched and recommended options based on comparative analysis and evaluation of stakeholder interests
- Reviewed contracts, company forms, marketing materials and communication procedures for compliance with applicable laws and guidelines and privacy-related issues
- Provided guidance, advice, and training to improve business' understanding of related laws and regulatory requirements and impact
- Scheduled and conducted evaluations of company policies, procedures, and internal control structures
- Managed effective action plans to respond to audit discoveries and compliance violations
- Liaised with risk management, internal audit, and employee services departments to direct compliance issues to appropriate channels for investigation and resolution
- Monitored important actions and decisions and tracked implementation progress
Business Process Analyst
Topron Consulting Inc
03.2015 - 02.2016
- Created and maintained comprehensive project documentation including meeting minutes, action plans and status reports using Microsoft Word, Excel Spread Sheet and Vizio
- Co-ordinated preparation of weekly reports and collated data for workload forecasts, performance tracking and reporting using Excel Spreadsheets
- Assisted in project charter development and managed project time, resources, scope and budget
- Prepared and delivered briefings and presentations to the project team, client and management detailing progress and providing recommendations for improvement using Microsoft Word, Modelling MS Visio, MS SharePoint and MS PowerPoint
- Led to successful implementation of process improvement strategies and 33% efficiency
- Facilitated Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions and interviewed clients to gather information on business requirements for projects, clarify and resolve complex issues
- Conducted requirement review and walkthrough sessions with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and other Stakeholders from different departments within the organization
In-House Counsel/Legal Adviser
Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
09.2006 - 09.2011
- Drafted the Company’s Corporation Bill and Corporate Governance Code
- Successfully resolved several inter agencies conflicts and initiated the Federal Government review of the Company’s governing structure to align with the Corporate and Allied Matters Act
- Researched, prepared, and presented legal opinion and memoranda on Nigeria’s telecommunications laws and policies to the Executive and Legislative arms of the Federal Government
- Presented white papers on Federal Executive Council directives, national policies and laws relating to the company to various legislative and executive committees
- Drafted and negotiated commercial agreements including the $250million satellite manufacture Contract
- Demonstrated analytical skills in the interpretation of the replacement contract and insurance of the Company’s communications satellite and averted a major financial crisis which saved the Company over $12million
- Ensured due diligence and compliance in all company contracts and operations
- Provided legal advice and acted as Secretary to the Board of Directors and several government tasks force on privatization
Senior Associate
C.O Akpamgbo (SAN) Law Firm
01.2000 - 09.2006
- Acted as head of the firm’s Mediation and Conciliation Unit
- Litigated oil and gas disputes in the Superior Court of Record
- Researched and analyzed environmental and energy case law
- Prepared legal opinion for Senior lawyer for oral argument
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Business and Human Rights
University of Ottawa
Master of Laws -
McGill University
Master of Laws -
London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor of Laws (Honors) -
Nigerian Law School
Bachelor of Laws (Honors) -
University of Nigeria
Skills
- Experience in Qualitative and Quantitative research
- Legislative evaluation and analysis
- Policy formulation, analysis, review and implementation
- Program development and implementation
- Time management, Organizing and prioritizing work
- Critical thinking and problem solving aptitude
- Effective Verbal and written communication
- Relationship building and Stakeholder management
- Risk assessment and Economic Modelling
- Interpersonal and Conflict resolution
- Documentation and Document review
- Legal writing and reporting
Affiliations
- Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member, International Law Association (ILA)
- Member, America Society of International Law (ASIL) – Africa Interest Group
- Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Member, World Society of Victimology
- Member, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), London
References
Available on request.
Volunteer Experience
- Founding Board Member, It Begins With You (IBWU) Canada
- Wheels of Hope, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
- Founding Member, Crime Victims Foundation (CRIVIFON), Nigeria
Academicawards
- Recipient, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Merit Scholarship for International Law Research.
- Judge, African Regionals Space Moot Court Competition.
- Recipient, McGill University Faculty of Law Graduate Excellence Scholarship.
- Recipient, European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) Judges Prize in Project Presentation.
- Recipient, Best Graduating Female Student, Nigerian Female Judges Prize
Certification
Business Analysis Certification, TOPRON, Mississauga, ON
Negotiating and Drafting Commercial Contracts, Falconbury, London, England
European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) Space Law and Policy Course, Netherlands
Certificate of Proficiency in French, London School of Economics, London, England
• Recipient Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Merit Scholarship for Internationa
· Recipient, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Merit Scholarship for International Law Research.
· Judge, African Regionals Space Moot Court Competition.
· Recipient, McGill University Faculty of Law Graduate Excellence Scholarship.
· Recipient, European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) Judges Prize in Project Presentation.
· Recipient, Nigerian Female Judges Prize for Best Graduating Female Student, Nigerian Law School
Timeline
Senior Policy Analyst
Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
06.2023 - Current
Court and Client Representative
Ministry of the Attorney General
11.2021 - 06.2023
Legal Administrative Assistant
Adams-Idode Law Professional Corporation
10.2019 - 11.2021
Legal Research Assistant
Agbakwas LLP
10.2018 - 09.2019
Policy Analyst
Centre for International Governance Innovation
03.2017 - 09.2018
Policy Analyst
Improvtech Consulting
02.2016 - 02.2017
Business Process Analyst
Topron Consulting Inc
03.2015 - 02.2016
In-House Counsel/Legal Adviser
Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
09.2006 - 09.2011
Senior Associate
C.O Akpamgbo (SAN) Law Firm
01.2000 - 09.2006
Master of Laws -
McGill University
Master of Laws -
London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor of Laws (Honors) -
Nigerian Law School
Bachelor of Laws (Honors) -
University of Nigeria
Business Analysis Certification, TOPRON, Mississauga, ON
Negotiating and Drafting Commercial Contracts, Falconbury, London, England
European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) Space Law and Policy Course, Netherlands
Certificate of Proficiency in French, London School of Economics, London, England
Doctor of Philosophy - Business and Human Rights
University of Ottawa
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