Legal Officer, Irish Refugee Council Independent Law Centre – deadline 21 September

The Irish Refugee Council’s Independent Law Centre opened to clients in November 2011.  The Law Centre was the seventh independent law centre to open in Ireland.  It offers legal services to those in need of international protection.  In particular, the Law Centre provides Early Legal Advice to those at the initial stages of the asylum application process, it also provides advice and representation at other stages of the asylum process to vulnerable asylum seekers with no alternate access to legal representation and in strategic cases.

The Law Centre team comprises a Managing Solicitor, a Senior Solicitor and two Legal Officers.  The Irish Refugee Council is recruiting a Legal Officer, who will work within the Law Centre and report to the Managing Solicitor.  Applicants must, by 1 October 2012:

• have a third level degree in law or other relevant field;
• have experience of legal practice for a minimum of one year in refugee law or an area of human rights law
• have excellent written and oral communications skills (including the ability to communicate sensitively with vulnerable clients)
• hold an excellent knowledge of refugee law and a good knowledge of the Common European Asylum System;
• be a committed, flexible team player and have experience working as part of a team;
• have experience managing his/her own case load;
• be able to work under supervision and on their own;
• have significant experience drafting legal submissions;
• be highly organised & used to adhering to strict deadlines in a busy practice;
• have some experience undertaking advocacy work with public officials or politicians;
• have excellent computer skills (including typing skills);
• have permission to work in Ireland.

Applicants must also be committed to working within the Law Centre and the wider IRC team to protect the rights of refugees and seek positive change in the asylum system in Ireland.

The successful applicant should be in a position to take up the post at the beginning of November 2012.  The contract will be a fixed term contract for a period of 14 months, until 31 December 2013.  Salary range is between €30,000 and €40,000 depending upon experience.  This is a full time position and the successful applicant must be available to work 9.30am-5.30pm Mondays to Fridays.

Further details about the post and application forms are available from recruitment@irishrefugeecouncil.ie

CVs alone will not be considered, nor will applications submitted through recruitment agencies.  Closing date is Friday 21 September 2012 at 5pm. Applications received after this time cannot be considered.  All applications will be acknowledged within 3 working days but only those shortlisted will receive any further notification.  It is intended that interviews will take place during the week commencing October 1st.  Those not available for interview cannot be guaranteed an alternative date to that offered.