Programme Lawyer (Northern Ireland)

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is a legal non-governmental organisation (NGO) with charity status set up under the auspices of the Law Society of Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and the Bar of Northern Ireland dedicated to promoting the rule of law in developing countries. IRLI is primarily a project-based organisation with a variety access-to-justice projects in countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. IRLI is an all-island organisation which seeks to progress resource-restrained societies by protecting human rights, promoting and strengthening the rule of law and providing technical support and assistance in the form of legal capacity and institute building in those jurisdictions in order to help tackle the effects of global injustice and empower freedom from inequality, corruption and conflict.

Position Summary:

Established in 2009, IRLI has progressively grown through the years expanding on both its programme portfolio and working networks. The organisation is now at an exciting stage having recently secured multi annual funding as well as having established a broad programme-base ranging from access to justice, institutional capacity building and legal education. This year, IRLI launched its 5 year-strategic plan, and is expected to expand its work both thematically and geographically. In this context, the organisation is looking to hire a dynamic person to represent the organisation in Northern Ireland and engage with members of the Northern Irish legal professions, and keep them abreast of IRLI’s work. The PL will serve as the main contact point between members of the Northern Irish legal professions involved in IRLI’s Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia programmes, and will seek innovative ways to deepen this involvement.

In addition, the PL will provide the lead the technical and administrative work on IRLI’s transitional justice programmes and to help IRLI’s Executive Director and Director of Programmes in the overall administration of the organisation. Under the supervision of the Director of Programmes, the Programme Lawyer (PL) will manage IRLI’s transitional justice programmes and activities, including by ensuring adequate administrative support, supporting the on-going monitoring of programme activities according to project proposals and budget, as well producing narrative and financial reports in line with donor requirements. He/she will also support the internal administration of IRLI ensuring that the organisation adheres to relevant policies and best practice in financial, charity and volunteer management. The PL will contribute to the management and further development of the communication function of IRLI, including by establishing innovative means for information sharing to maintain a vibrant relationship with IRLI supporters and promote and raise awareness about the work of IRLI in the area of transitional justice.

The PL will work 2.5 days a week and will be based at the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland, with regular travel to IRLI headquarters in Dublin and with occasional travel to programme field locations when necessary. Remote working will also be possible. S/he will report to and work directly under the supervision of IRLI’s Director of Programmes and/or the Executive Director.

While the position is part time, it is envisaged that there will be the possibility for the position to become full time at a later date.

Main Responsibilities:

Programmatic Support

• Maintain and establish links with members of the Irish and Northern Irish legal professions, as well as transitional justice experts in Northern Ireland.
• Serve as the main contact point between IRLI and members of the Northern Irish legal professions involved in IRLI’s Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia programmes
• Support Northern Irish delegations travelling to field locations and to Dublin, and delegations from IRLI’s partner countries traveling to Northern Ireland, in all administrative, logistic and technical needs.
• Stay abreast of developments relating to transitional justice best-practices.
• Liaise with partners and victim groups that have been identified to engage in transitional justice projects
• Provide technical, managerial and desk based support to IRLI’s transitional justice Programmes, its nascent Somalia project, as well as scope further opportunities in the areas of transitional justice.
• Provide on-going monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support to IRLI’s Somalia
• Develop and review the submissions of proposals, narrative and financial reports and monitor submissions to donors ensuring accuracy, completeness and timeliness.
• Produce up-to-date material to share information about IRLI’s transitional justice work.
• Support Irish and Northern Irish delegations of transitional justice experts in travelling to meet with victim groups, – or facilitating on-line technical exchanges in the alternative -in all administrative, logistic and technical needs.
• Develop and pilot innovative ways to showcase the work of IRLI’s transitional Justice work.
• Compiling information from all stakeholders following each technical exchange, and drafting reports, distilling lessons learnt, and drafting
• Maintaining risk matrix, and regularly updating the programme’s logframe.
• Presenting on IRLI’s transitional justice programmes in front of relevant stakeholders
• Perform other duties as required.

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements:

• A Bachelors’ degree and/or a Master’s level degree in Law, Development, International Politics, Human Rights or related fields.
• Familiarity and previous engagement with the Northern Irish and/or legal professions.
• A minimum of 2 years professional experience in international development and/or the rule of law.
• Experience and a keen interest in programmes related to human rights, rule of law and legal development issues.
• Proven track record in proposal and report writing, ideally within the development context and/or to institutional donors.
• Familiarity with Northern Irish and Irish-based and international donor priorities and grant implementation, monitoring and evaluation guidelines.
• Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise a wide range of competing tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated, dynamic and the ability to work independently and cooperatively.
• Appreciation of the aims and objectives of IRLI.
• Demonstrated excellent research and communication skills.
• Adept in use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Fluent in spoken and written English with strong analytical skills.
• The visa or passport necessary to live and work in Northern Ireland and to travel to the Republic of Ireland.

Desirable Requirements:

• Overseas work on international programmes is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and relate with a wide range of external audiences.
• Fundraising experience for charities and the capacity to organise and manage public events.
• Proven ability to execute communication and public engagement activities, preferably in the charity/NGO sector.
• Experience with victim movements and/or transitional justice is highly desirable.
• Ability to create new ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including launch creative and innovative initiatives.