IPRT Recruitment: Legal and Public Affairs Manager (Maternity Cover)

6th January 2023

* The deadline for applications has now passed. Please do not apply, as you application will not be considered. *

Applications are now invited for Legal and Public Affairs Manager (Maternity Cover) with the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT). This position involves covering a senior role within the IPRT team, with responsibility for implementing our Legal and Public Affairs Programme and working to ensure lasting penal policy reform is embedded in law and practice. It is an opportunity to work in a small impactful organisation, driven by a shared passion for social justice, equality and human rights. 

Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 27 January 2023. Full details here.

About IPRT

The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) is Ireland’s leading non-governmental organisation campaigning for human rights and best practice in the penal system, and for progressive penal policy in which prison is a sanction of last resort. Our work is underscored by our strong commitment to combating social injustice. We have a track record of achieving big impact for a small organisation. We do this through a combination of research, advocacy, engagement, public affairs, events and working in alliance.

Our work is evidence-based, informed by almost 30 years of experience, extensive research and proactive engagement with people affected by the penal system. Our aim is to shift the focus of our penal system away from its current emphasis on punishment towards approaches based on prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, and the integration of criminal justice policy with wider social policy. A more effective and humane penal system, which combats social injustice and has safer communities at its heart, also benefits communities and wider society through its emphasis on crime prevention, rehabilitation, and a reduction in reoffending.

Our model of change is that effecting reforms at the highest level will have the greatest impact for the largest number of people. To this end, we focus our efforts on generating evidenceinformed policy recommendations, and working constructively with decision-makers to deliver effective penal policy in Ireland.

About the Role

In 2020, IPRT secured dedicated funding for an exciting new Legal and Public Affairs Programme, with clear deliverable outputs and objectives. The Legal and Public Affairs Manager (Maternity Cover) will be responsible for continuing the delivery of the programme over a period of 12 months, with the goal of bringing about lasting reforms embedded in law and policy. The successful applicant will support the Acting Executive Director with senior management tasks. IPRT promotes a penal model that prioritises rehabilitation over punishment, building safer and more equal communities. Our Legal and Public Affairs Programme goals are to inform and influence legislation, policy and public debate to break cycles of disadvantage and imprisonment. The programme has three primary areas of work:

   i. influencing law and informing debate through published research on sentencing, deterrence, diversion and non-custodial alternatives;

   ii. direct engagement with criminal justice and social policy leaders and legislators; and

   iii. engaging with our legal system to facilitate innovative and more effective approaches.

The Legal and Public Affairs Manager also contributes to key policy functions including engagement with domestic legislative, parliamentary and consultation processes. These activities require a consistent ability to respond to opportunities at short notice and a current knowledge of the legal, political and penal policy context and the work of the organisation.

The post offers an excellent opportunity for a candidate interested in gaining experience at a more senior level and contributing to the strategic direction of a high profile, dynamic and effective non-governmental organisation. It will be of particular interest to those interested in developing leadership skills through carrying out management and oversight functions.

This position is part-time (4-day week) for a fixed-term contract of 1 year.

IPRT is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from people with criminal records. We don’t ask for information about convictions during the recruitment process.

For more details – including full role description, person specification and application procedure – see here.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. Any queries about the role should be directed to director@iprt.ie.