Migrant Rights Centre Ireland: Legal Advocacy Officer – 5 March 2019

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) is a national organisation working to promote justice, empowerment and equality for migrants and their families. MRCI is seeking applications for the position of Legal Advocacy Officer. The role involves individual advocacy, coordinating and advancing MRCI’s strategic casework and promoting MRCI’s policy concerns in the areas of human trafficking.

Ideal Candidate

MRCI is looking for someone who feels strongly about tackling injustice. Can you advocate on behalf of people? Are you someone who has the ability to see the bigger picture and identify cases that can led to systemic change? Can you work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? If so, this may be the job for you.

Reporting to the Director, responsibilities include:

• Managing MRCI’s strategic case work in the area of human trafficking, employment and immigration law
• Supporting migrant workers to access their rights and entitlements through the provision of legal support and advocacy
• Providing intensive supports and advocacy on housing, social welfare, immigration and employment related matters for people who have experienced forced labour and trafficking
• Conducting assessments of human trafficking cases and preparing complaints for An Garda Síochána
• Preparing submissions and providing representation on key cases at Workplace Relations bodies
• Managing caseload and tracking and recording cases through MRCI’s CRM system
• Identifying new trends and issues and contributing to MRCI policy recommendations
• Identifying and managing strategic cases, including test cases
• Providing training and information to relevant stakeholders
• Identifying and producing evidence and analysis to feed into the development of new identification policies, procedures and protocols on human trafficking being developed by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit
• Preparing reports, articles and presentation on the work
• Identifying and managing funding streams relevant to the strategic area of work
• Participating in wider MRCI activities in line with strategic priorities
• Representing MRCI at external events

Essential

• Education to degree level in law, human rights, social rights, social policy or equivalent
• Legal training and experience of advocacy in immigration and/or employment law or related field
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, work well under pressure and to prioritise tasks effectively
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, flexibility and adaptable work approaches
• Ability to work as part of a team to provide guidance and support to staff
• Excellent communication skills – written and oral
• Commitment to social justice, anti-racism and equality

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish or Arabic is an advantage
• Experience of identifying and advancing strategic cases
• Experience in the area of forced labour and trafficking
• Experience of advocating / representing workers at Workplace Relations Commission
• Experience of working with community sector organisations
• Experience in the development and delivery of training
• Familiarity of tracking cases through CRM systems and the generation data to highlight new trends and issues
• Experience of carrying out research and feeding into policy and legislative development

Duration: This is a fixed term contract, 5 days per week. This position may be extended depending on funding.

Remuneration: €37,000 - €40,000 commensurate with experience

Commencing: 1st April 2019 and ending 31st December 2020.

You MUST email the completed application form and questionnaire marked Legal Advocacy Officer to hr@mrci.ie by 6pm Tuesday 5th March.

Click here for full job description and application form.

Interviews will be held the week of the 11th March.