The Immigrant Council of Ireland seeks volunteers for Information and Referral helpline – deadline 22 August, Dublin

The Immigrant Council of Ireland is seeking volunteer solicitors and law students for their Information and Referral helpline. The ICI is recognised as an Independent Law centre and has gained a reputation for expertise in matters of immigration legislation, policy and procedures. It has always been our mission to use this expertise to inform and advise those who approach the ICI seeking information, either individual members of the public or organisations, firms or groups working with migrants. To further develop the ICI’s Information and Referral services, the ICI are seeking to recruit a panel of volunteer solicitors and people from a legal background who have an interest gaining experience in immigration issues in Ireland and in turn can use this experience to assist the ICI in its service delivery.

Responsibilities:

• To be first point of contact with service users accessing the ICI’s telephone information services.
• To work with the ICI team to provide information on rights and entitlements to service users by phone.  
• To assess the level of need of individual service users and refer on internally or externally, if appropriate.
• To assist in the development of the information base of the service.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Interest in immigration issues/human rights issues/anti-racism.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English required and knowledge of another language will be an advantage.
• Legal training/Law Degree or experience in immigration related policies and procedures will be an advantage.
• Motivation and a desire to learn on an on-going basis.
• IT skills desirable.

Candidates will receive training and induction prior to beginning the volunteer position and will be expected, in as much as is possible, to make a time commitment to the ICI that will facilitate the candidates learning and also benefit the organisation.

Candidates will be expected to commit for a minimum of one full day (or two half days) volunteering per week, for a minimum of six months. The ICI’s public telephone helplines are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings between the hours of 10am and 1pm. Volunteer hours will mostly correspond to these opening hours.   

Basic travel and lunch expenses will be provided, with restrictions.  Initial and on-going training and support will be provided for helpline volunteers.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to: Brian Killoran, Integration and Support Services Manager, The Immigrant Council of Ireland, 2 St Andrew St, Dublin 2 or brian@immigrantcouncil.ie marking envelope or email: Reference: Volunteer/Information Services. For any queries regarding the volunteer positions please email Brian at the above email address.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday August 22nd 2014

Interviews will be conducted in at the end of August, with positions commencing soon after.