Threshold – a general introduction
Established in 1978, Threshold is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to prevent homelessness and to campaign for housing as a right by:
- Providing independent advice and advocacy to vulnerable people.
- Delivering housing and supports for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Influencing housing policy and practice through quality research.
- Working in collaboration with other organisations for those disadvantaged by the housing system.
Role of Legal Officer
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.
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.
- Develop a legal enforcement policy to ensure follow-up with all clients who have secured decisions/determination orders, and take forward enforcement proceedings in cases of particular significance.
- Identify possible test cases of strategic importance, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, Management Team and Board.
- Draft legislative proposals/amendments and contribute to the introduction of legislation.
- Together with Chair, Chief Executive and Policy Officer, contribute to development of policy positions, drafting policy papers and lobbying key opinion formers.
- 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 (e.g. Companies Act 2014, Charities Act 2009, Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015).
- 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: 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 16th October 2015
For further information on Threshold, visit our website www.threshold.ie.