TITLE: FLAC / PILA PRO BONO DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
REPORTS TO FLAC CHIEF EXECUTIVE / FULLTIME
ABOUT FLAC
FLAC is a human rights organisation which exists to promote equal
access to justice. FLAC?s vision is of a society where everyone can
access fair and accountable mechanisms to vindicate their rights.
FLAC SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC
FLAC provides a range of services to the public including a Telephone
Information and Referral Line where callers are provided with basic
legal information and FLAC Clinics in Citizens Information Centres
throughout the country where volunteer lawyers provide basic legal
advice. In **Apply on the website** FLAC assisted **Apply on the
website**,**Apply on the website** individuals though its Information
Line and Clinics.
In **Apply on the website**, FLAC established the Public Interest Law
Alliance (PILA) as a public interest law network that seeks to engage
the legal community and civil society in using the law to advance
social change. PILA is a project of FLAC.
PILA:
* operates a Pro Bono Referral Scheme which matches expertise in the
legal profession with specific legal needs in social justice NGOs,
community groups and law centres;
* increases the capacity of organisations to use law in the public
interest through legal education, law reform and litigation;
* promotes a culture of structured pro bono legal work which
provides lawyers with opportunities to use their legal skills in the
public interest;
* raises awareness about the barriers to public interest litigation
and works to remove them;
* reaches out to law schools and law students to ensure that public
interest law and clinical legal education become central components of
the curriculum; and uses its website, fortnightly PILA bulletin and
events to raise awareness about public interest law in Ireland and
internationally;
* manages, facilitates and promotes the pro bono pledge
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE
FLAC is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the development of
FLAC?s pro bono work including the fostering of a culture of pro
bono among the legal professions in Ireland, to build and maintain
stakeholder relationships to ensure the sustainability and development
of the PILA Alliance and the pro bono referral scheme, to facilitate
manage and develop the pro bono pledge and to identify and advocate in
relation to barriers to public interest law work in Ireland.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
* Identifying and securing funding to secure the work of FLAC?s
Public Interest Law work including the Pro-bono Referral Scheme into
the future;
* Addressing the sustainability of the Alliance through working
closely with the professional bodies, law firms, lawyers, clearing
houses and other stakeholders;
* Building and developing a strong Alliance committed to using and
further developing public interest law in Ireland;
* Explore and develop mechanisms to develop a referral scheme for
individuals;
* Managing and developing the pro bono pledge;
* Identify strategic litigation for FLAC;
* Implementing the relevant objectives in FLAC?s strategic plans;
* Development of communications including PILA Bulletin and work
with the FLAC communications team to promote FLAC?s pro bono work;
* Complying with FLAC?s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures;
* Any other duties as may be required from time to time in
connection with this position.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will have:
* A degree in law or a related field.
* Experience as a solicitor or barrister is desirable.
* Minimum 3 years relevant work experience, preferably in a legal or
NGO environment.
* A self-starter with a strong work ethic and a passion for social
justice.
* Experience and knowledge of pro bono work/clearing house models.
* Proven ability to form and maintain diverse strategic
relationships.
* Excellent people skills, including organising and networking.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including
research and writing.
* Strong knowledge of access to justice issues, public interest law
and human rights.
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Closing dates for receipt of applications is 4th June **Apply on the
website**. A CV and covering letter should be sent to **Apply on the
website**.
_FLAC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER._
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
