Application Closing Date: 26 February 2016
Job Start Date: As soon as possible
Duration: One year, with possibility of renewal/permanent position
Pay: €52,350 (per annum, to be paid pro rata from start date)
Location: Dublin
Transparency Legal Advice Centre (“TLAC”) is a new, independent law centre which is being established and will be supported by Transparency International Ireland to provide free legal advice to those making disclosures of wrongdoing. It will operate the Speak Up helpline (www.speakup.ie) from March 2016. TLAC is seeking a solicitor to assist its Managing Solicitor and provide advice on protected disclosures to workers.
Job specification: key responsibilities
Casework
- Assisting with weekly casework meetings with volunteers, advising them on information and referral advice to be provided to callers to the Speak Up helpline and identifying callers in need of formal legal advice
- Assisting with managing the Speak Up helpline email inbox
- Meeting callers in need of formal legal advice and establishing solicitor-client relationship as appropriate
- Providing legal advice as required, primarily on the application of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and mandatory reporting obligations such as section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011
Teamwork and networking
- Assisting with the induction of volunteers for the Speak Up helpline and ongoing supervision
- Assisting with engaging with stakeholders including other legal practitioners, other independent law centres, employers, trade unions, law enforcement agencies and regulators
Professional development
- Contributing to TLAC’s ‘knowhow’ resources and precedent database
- Keeping abreast of and presenting on relevant legal developments
Administration and fundraising
- Maintaining timesheets
- Assisting in the preparation of narrative and financial reports for donors where necessary
- Contributing to pitches if required
Person specification: key attributes
- Fully qualified solicitor, in possession of a practising certificate from the Law Society of Ireland
- At least four years’ PQE
- Ability to manage and handle a high volume of cases, work under pressure, deal with multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines
- Experience and/or understanding of employment, whistleblower, criminal and anti-corruption law in Ireland
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Ability to provide high-quality advice to clients who are individuals
- Working knowledge of MS Office packages, time-recording and case management software
- Understanding of the valuable contribution of whistleblowers to society and driven to assist them
Applications
Please send a CV and covering letter to smath@transparency.ie by 6pm on Friday 26 February 2016. It is essential that the covering letter concisely addresses (in no more than two pages):
- Motivation for applying for the position; and
- Relevant experience for the role.
The CV should ideally be two pages long. CVs longer than three pages will not be considered. Experience should be presented in reverse chronological order and the names and positions of two referees should be provided. Contact details of referees are not necessary at this stage.
The selection process will involve at least one interview and a written exercise.
Equal Opportunities Statement
TLAC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting a work environment free from discrimination on grounds of gender, civil/marital status, family status, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, age or membership of the traveller community.