Amnesty International Mental Health Legal Officer - deadline 2 December 2011

The Mental Health Legal Officer will be responsible for providing expertise in national and international law, and human rights law in particular, related to mental health. You will have considerable expertise in mental health law and international human rights law and standards. You will review relevant aspects of mental health law, policy and practice in Ireland against human rights standards, and provide lobbying outputs including suggesting legislative changes, identifying models of good practice from other jurisdictions and increasing the capacity of individuals and organisations working for legislative change. The ideal candidate will have broad work experience in the area of human rights, with specialised experience of expert analysis on human rights and legislation in the mental health field, in particular the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. You will be a skilled communicator with considerable experience in lobbying and advocacy with a range of stakeholders. You will be committed to working with experts by experience of mental health problems, and putting their perspective at the heart of the campaign.

Responsibilities

• To provide legal and human rights expertise on mental health legislation, practice, service development and standards in Ireland.
• To draft positions, submissions and briefings regarding the compliance of relevant Irish legislation with human rights law, in particular the Mental Health Act 2001 and proposed capacity legislation, with due regard to the evolving understanding of the relevant provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• To apply detailed analysis of human rights standards to information generated by the Mental Health Team on mental health legislation, practice and service development in Ireland, setting out where and how Ireland is failing to comply with those standards, and assisting the Team to make recommendations and to channel these analyses in the appropriate directions (lobbying targets, reporting to international bodies, etc.).
• To draft research reports, submissions to Government, and campaign briefings.
• To represent Amnesty International Ireland at high level lobbying and stakeholder meetings.

Essential

• Relevant postgraduate degree in human rights or related area
• Technical knowledge of human rights standards broadly, including economic, social and cultural rights, and also as they apply to mental health
• Excellent familiarity with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its evolving interpretation.
• Research experience in the human rights field as it applies to mental health, and an ability to apply rigorous, forward-thinking human rights analysis to detailed areas of domestic law, policy and practice.
• Understanding of domestic and international mechanisms related to mental health and human rights, including the United Nations, Council of Europe and World Health Organisation
• Excellent legal writing skills and strong research and analytical skills with an ability to access information quickly and strategically
• Excellent advisory and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Proven ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences
• Experience in liaising with government agencies, NGOs and research institutions in relation to mental health and human rights issues

The starting salary for this part-time position of 21-28 hours per week is approximately €43,000 - €45,000 pro rata per annum, depending upon experience. This is a fixed-term position that will run for 17 months.

Amnesty International Ireland also offers an attractive employment package of employee benefits. Click here to view the full job specification.

Please apply by using the Amnesty International application form only. Application forms available on www.amnesty.ie under About Us/Vacancies or by contacting the Amnesty International office.

Please return the completed form to Agata Senkara, Human Resources and Facilities Manager.

Please be advised that CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date for applications is Friday, 2 December 2011

Interviews will be held from the 5 to 9 December 2011.