Threshold is seeking to recruit a Legal Officer to support our advocacy work on behalf of vulnerable households, take legal cases on behalf of our clients, and to provide legal expertise and training to our staff. The Legal Officer will also play a key role in our lobbying, research and communications activities.
Job Description
Title of Job: Legal Officer
Responsible to: Chief Executive
Main Responsibilities:
- Provide legal expertise and assistance to Threshold’s services and support services.
- Assist staff in the advice centres with the preparation of advocacy and legal cases.
- Where appropriate, take cases on behalf of clients including advice, negotiation and representation at social welfare appeal hearings, Private Residential Tenancies Board or other hearing, tribunal or court proceedings.
- Identify possible test cases, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, Management Team and Board.
- Draft legislative proposals/amendments and contribute to the introduction of legislation.
- Under direction from the Chair and Chief Executive, contribute to development of Threshold policy positions and in briefing/lobbying key opinion formers.
- Draft or contribute to policy submissions to Government and other bodies.
- Assist with media statements and media queries.
- Keep organisation updated on relevant legal developments.
- Ensure appropriate monitoring and recording systems are in place to capture information relevant to legal cases and research agenda.
- Ensure that the organisation complies with all relevant legislation.
- Proof all published material that contains advice or legal information to ensure accuracy.
- Provide training to Threshold services.
- Represent the organisation as agreed by the Chief Executive.
- Complete other tasks as may reasonably be required.
Person Specification
Mandatory:
The successful candidate must have the following:
Qualifications: A strong academic background in law, human rights or related field
Experience: At least two years’ experience in a legal, advocacy or regulatory role.
Skills:
- Ability to absorb all aspects of housing law and policy
- Demonstrable commitment to rights-based approach
- Advocacy skills
- High level of communications skills, good initiative, enthusiasm, team work and co-ordination skills.
- IT proficient
Desirable attributes include:
- Professional legal qualifications and experience (solicitor or barrister or equivalent)
- Experience of policy development/lobbying/litigation
Main Terms and Conditions
Salary: Salary range €45,000-50,000 depending on experience
Hours: 35 hours per week
Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 25 days
Probation: Six months
Contract: Two-year fixed-term contract
Location: Based in Head Office, 21 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 but the position is national.
CVs and letter of application to be submitted to:
Office of the Chief Executive,
Threshold,
21 Stoneybatter,
Dublin 7.
Email: recruitment@threshold.ie
Closing date: Friday 18th July 2014
For further information on Threshold, visit our website www.threshold.ie