LEGAL OFFICER (Jan 2018)

LEGAL OFFICER (Jan 2018)

Are you a lawyer who is passionate about advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and refugees?UKLGIG is a unique human rights charity dedicated to supporting, and advocating for the rights of, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) asylum seekers and refugees. We have anexciting opportunity for a Legal Officer (qualified solicitor, barristerand/or OISC level 3 accredited caseworker) to join our small team.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Legal Officer role is a great opportunity for you to both develop and deliver a legal advice service to our clients and the chance to share your expertise to help UKLGIG in its aim to bring about improvements in the asylum process and in the quality of legal representation for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers.

You will:-

(i)be responsible for the design and delivery of the UKLGIG specialist legal advice service to adult LGBTQI+ asylum seekers;

(ii)provide second tier advice to the legal representatives of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and other NGO’s and professionals who also work with them;

(iii)deliver expert training to lawyers, NGOs and other professionals and represent UKLGIG at external events;

(iv)share analyses of developments in asylum and immigration policy and legislation as they apply to LGBTQI+ people for sharing on the UKLGIG website, blogs and email groups

(v)support the policy and advocacy work of Executive Director and the wider organisation by conducting research, sharing your expertise and experience and attending meetings with Home Office officials, parliamentarians and other stakeholders.

It is not intendedthat the Legal Officer will provide direct legal representation of asylum seekers. However, the role includes substantive advice and casework within the scope of legal support and referrals for our clients, as well as merits testing and second tier advice.The Legal Officer will work collaboratively with the LGBTQI+ Asylum Seeker Support Workers, Executive Director, other staff members, trustees and volunteers.

UKLGIG is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the LGBTQI+ community and black and minority ethnic communities.

While based at our offices in Southwark, regular travel outside of London including to immigration detention centres is necessary, as well as occasional work in the evening and at weekends. DBS checkrequired.

SALARY: £34,000-£37,450full time salary (salary review due April 2018)

LOCATION: London with regular travel

CONTRACT TYPE: Full timeor 4 days per week part-time (job share considered). Permanent(this position is funded through the generosity of Trust for London and Linklaters LLP.)

HOW TO APPLY: The job description and person specification are below. Please contact our offices should you have any questions about this position. Email application forms (no CVs please) and monitoring forms to . DBS check will be required.

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 9.30 am Tuesday 27 February 2018

INTERVIEW DATE: 9 March 2018

LEGAL OFFICER – JOB DESCRIPTION

The Legal Officerwill be responsible for the development and delivery of the legal advice service to our clients and second tier advice, under the direction of the ED. They will also bring their expertise and experience to inform and support the policy and advocacy work of the organisation. The Legal Officer willundertake the following activities:

Establish and operate regular legal and referral surgeries face to face and by telephone including triage, where LGBTQI+ people can access advice and assistance concerning their legal options and asylum claims;

Facilitate effective referrals to legal aid , pro bono or paid lawyers so as to enable LGBTQI+ asylum seekers to access substantive representation;

Assist some clients in preparing witness statements or gathering other supporting evidence to support them to advance their individual cases or taking other urgent steps to safeguard their position;

Conduct or direct country of origin information and legal research in order to assist individual cases;

Provide second-tier advice and assistance to lawyers who require assistancein litigating LGBTQI+ claims (whether requested by the lawyer or the asylum claimant) or to other advice services in respect of their LGBTQI+ asylum seeker clients;

Maintain processes and procedures to enable UKLGIG to continue to be regulated by the OISC including registering any relevant advisers and maintain that regulation including through OISC audit

Conduct research to scrutinise and monitor standards of asylum decision-making and other aspects of the asylum process;

Assist the Executive Director with legal and policy analysis, conduct research and provide support with advocacy on a national, regional and international level including representing UKLGIG externally;

Attend meetings with Home Office officials, parliamentarians and other stakeholders as required;

Contribute to advances the law relating to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers by leading or supporting strategic litigation interventions;

Deliver training to lawyers, judges, officers, NGOs and others so as to increase knowledge as to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers;

Oversee and supportthe legal service provided by partner pro bono lawyers to ensure the appropriate delivery of legal services;

Make referrals to Freedom from Torture, Helen Bamber Foundation and other specialist organisations and agencies;

Work with doctors, social workers, mental health professionals and others supporting client asylum seekers during the legal process;

Facilitate and attend UKLGIG asylum legal meetings;

Training and oversee volunteers and other staff including responsibility for supervision of all regulated immigration advice or services provided and their registration with OISC;

Keeping records in accordance with policies and the Data Protection Act and maintaining confidentiality including maintain client files and records in line with file management and organisational procedures;

Ensure that any monitoring requirements agreed with funders are met infull;

Keep abreast of all relevant developments in asylum, immigration and relevant human rights law andpractice;

Draft analyses of developments in asylum and immigration policy and legislation as they apply to LGBTQI+ people for sharing on the UKLGIG website, blogs and email groups;

Occasional advice or other work in relation to same sex partner immigration issues or immigration or nationality issues arising from such cases;

Provide, obtain or refer for legal advice to clients and staff on other associated issues as required and within competence including asylum support, legal aid availability, benefits etc;

Work with the LGBTQI+ Asylum Seeker Support Workers in making referrals to other services;

Undertake other reasonable tasks as requested.

Reporting:

The Executive Director will line managethe Legal Officer. A legally qualified trustee will,to the extent necessary, provide supervision (close supervision is not expected to be required) and advice and file reviews of the legal practice of the Legal Officer.The Legal Officer will work closely and collaboratively with the Asylum Seeker Support Workers and supervise the immigration advice provided by them and other staff or volunteers.

LEGAL OFFICER – PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA / Essential/
Desirable

Qualifications and Experience

Committed to the aims of UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group with good knowledge of relevant immigration and asylum issues / E
Significant experience of providing legal advice and representation to asylum seekers:
3 years’ experience
5 years’ experience / E
D
Significant experience representing LGBTQI+ asylum seekers , including under Legal Aid / E
Detailed knowledge and understanding of law and policy as it relates to all asylum seekers / E
Knowledge of other immigration law and policy that may also apply to LBGTI asylum seekers such as partner/spouse leave, deportation, detention and bail / E
Experience of working in, or familiarity with, the LGBTQI+ community beyond asylum claims / D
Experience of working in the voluntary and/or community sector / D
Qualified solicitor or barrister (authorised to practice without a supervising solicitor in a legal advice centre) with valid practising certificateor already accredited to Level 3 OISC. / E
Current IAAS accreditation at level 2 caseworker or above
and LAA Supervisor / D
D
Experienced in supervising, training and mentoring in the provision of advice services / D
The ability to design and delivertraining and workshops on asylum and related legal issues for a varied range ofparticipants including judges, officials, lawyers and NGO professionals / E
Knowledge of coming out experiences across cultures / D
Have a political and social awareness of the vulnerabilities of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers / D
Detailed knowledge/experience of legal aid funding regulations relating to asylum and immigration and judicial review / D
Experience of strategic litigation / D
Experience of conducting research on legal issues or for human rights reporting / D
Experience of providing second tier advice / D
Knowledge of other legal issues relevant to asylum seekers including asylum support / D

Skills and abilities

Experience of (D)...
and
ability to (E) work within a small team without close supervision / D
E

20. Excellent listening skills and an ability to create rapport and an environment to enable good communication, especially with those unable to or not used to talking about their sexuality or gender identity

/ E
Passionate about equality and human rights, particularly in regards to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers / E
Able to communicate sensitively and sympathetically with and able to assist often traumatised and vulnerable asylum seekers / E
An articulate, confident communicator with strong verbal and written skills, ability to write reports for professional, lay and client audiences / E
Ability to use different approaches to influence others, including solicitors andbarristers to follow good practice in representing LGBTQI+ asylum seekers / E
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteersand others to support individual LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. / E
Ability to work independently with a proven ability to prioritise work and work to deadlines / E
Ability to respond flexibly to a fast changing environment / E
Able to focus on both broad issues and details / E
Self-sufficient in their use of IT and software packages / E
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team / E

General

Understanding of wider social justice and diversity issues / E
Ability to work flexibly and outside regular office hours / E
Calm approach to working in a potentially stressful and pressurised situation, including in situations where one is unable to assist LGBTQI+ asylum seekers or there is disagreement with their legal representatives on the best approach. / E

February 2018