Senior Policy Officer, 9 mth contract (Public Sector)

Honeycomb is delighted to be partnering exclusively with the highly distinctive and credible 'Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)'

The Client - The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) is an independent non-governmental organisation which seeks to secure the highest standards in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland by ensuring that the government complies with its responsibilities in international human rights law. In particular, the organisation works in the areas of human rights, equality, policing, legacy and criminal justice. CAJ works closely with other domestic and international human rights groups to achieve this end. CAJ takes no position on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and is firmly opposed to the use of violence. CAJ currently employs seven staff. It has a cross-community membership of approximately 100.

PLEASE NOTE - Closing Date Tues 10th June with interviews Friday 13th June.

The Role - Reporting to the Director, duties will consist of but not be limited to the following:

The post-holders primary responsibility will be to coordinate and report on the T:LEF funded project 'Embedding Human Rights and Equality in Northern Ireland' ('The T:LEF project')and related delivery initiatives. The role also encompasses line management responsibility for the Policy and Legal Officer: Equality Coalition and the Communications Officer.

Main duties:

To coordinate the T:LEF Project and represent CAJ as appropriate in meetings and other forum relating to its work areas.

To develop and maintain appropriate administrative procedures and systems required for the effective running of the T:LEF project; and preparing accurate and appropriate reporting information internally and for the project funders.

To line manage: the Policy and Legal Officer: Equality Coalition and the Communications Officer, and work collaboratively with other CAJ staff.

Ensure CAJ produces high quality research in the areas taken forward by the T:LEF project and associated delivery projects and ensure that these are used effectively to uphold CAJ's mandate of promoting justice and protecting rights.

Work with the Director on building and maintaining relations with other local and international human rights and equality organisations and networks.

Actively participate in the Equality Coalition, and Equality Coalition legal interventions subgroup

Promote the use of administrative and legal remedies to strategically assist environmental campaigners.

Promote the effective use of the statutory Equality duty under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in relation to socio-economic rights.

Assist in seeking policy change on the state response to intimidation from housing in NI, contributing to further research as appropriate.

Assist in initiatives to prevent a regression of oversight and human rights compliance in policing

Work to ensure the passage of legislation strengthening protections against hate crime and misogyny.

Seek the effective implementation of post-Brexit safeguards over certain rights affirmed in the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement.

Campaign for a Bill of Rights and implementation of rights-based commitments and frameworks for governance through reform of the Stormont Institutions.

The Person - The post-holder will be required to meet the following criterion prior to reaching the next stage of the campaign:

At least one year experience of management of staff.
Primary degree in law, social sciences or another relevant discipline (OR 3 years' relevant experience from the below)
Experience of working on equality / anti-discrimination issues;
Experience of document-based policy research and analysis;
Experience of making representations on/ or challenging policy decisions;
Knowledge of the statutory equality duty in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and broader equality law;
Knowledge of one or more of the thematic areas of the T:LEF project set out in the job description" - these could be listed they are - environmental rights; housing intimidation; policing accountability; hate crimes and misogyny; post-Brexit rights safeguards & the Bill of Rights
Good knowledge of international and domestic human rights standards, in particular relating to equality and economic social and cultural rights;
Ability to research and make clear and effective written submissions;
Good (oral and written) communication skills, interpersonal skills and administrative and organisational ability
Ability to work on own initiative, as part of a team and with a broad range of groups;
Knowledge of public sector and civil society in Northern Ireland
Strong commitment to equality and human rights (as provided for in international human rights standards).

DESIRABLE:

Experience of representing clients and/or organisations on policy issues;
Experience of legal research and litigation
Experience of drafting complaints / submissions to challenge discrimination / inequality;
Experience of project management and monitoring

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up to date CV via the link provided or contact Claire McCleery, Head of Public & 3rd Sector at Honeycomb Jobs on 02896 207050.

If you have a disability which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us directly to discuss.
Honeycomb is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all.

** Please note, we are receiving a high number of applications and present and will be unable to shortlist candidates who are not meeting the specific requirements for this role. Due to the high volume of applications, we may be unable to provide individual feedback. We thank you in advance for your understanding. **