Policy and Public Affairs Officer

The Policy and Public Affairs Team works with our Legal and Advice Team to gather evidence from the issues they are responding to through our freephone advice service, which continuously informs our knowledge and understanding of how children and young people in Northern Ireland are being failed and how we can focus our efforts to achieve change.

Children’s Law Centre’s (CLC) Policy and Public Affairs Team are engaged in a wide and varied portfolio of policy areas including joint work with VOYPIC, Include Youth and NIACRO on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility; with STEP on issues facing refugee and asylum seeking children in contingency and dispersal accommodation; our efforts with National Autistic Association NI to secure adequate respite provision for children with high support needs; and our ongoing scrutiny of children and young people’s experiences of engagement with the PSNI.

To be considered for this role you will need to have a relevant third level qualification and at least 2 years’ experience in legislative and policy research and commentary, or 3 years’ experience without a third level qualification; an understanding of the policy environment in which CLC operates as it relates to the promotion of children’s rights; and experience in a campaigning, advocacy and influencing environment in which you have contributed to and executed plans to achieve specific policy outcomes.

Full details of requirements are contained within the Candidate Pack.

What we can offer:

• Competitive salary
• Enrolment in group pension scheme with employer contribution of 7% on completion of probationary period (5% contribution in first 6 months)
• Generous Annual Leave
• Access to CPD
• Staff wellbeing support
• Opportunity to work in a friendly, supportive environment assisting us to make a difference to the lives of children in Northern Ireland.

All completed applications should be returned to:

Trevor Wright, Head of Operations

Address:  Children’s Law Centre, Rights House, 127-131 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1SH.

Or emailed to reception@childrenslawcentre.org 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 11.59pm on Sunday, 1st December 2024.

Please note that CV's are not accepted.  

We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Northern Ireland. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and experienced individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. 

The successful candidate for this post will be required to complete the Access NI enhanced security clearance before commencing employment.

This information is also accessible through the CLC website: https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/work-with-us/