FULL- OR PART-TIME LEGAL OFFICER

We have an exciting opportunity to advance the rights of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and refugees! We are recruiting a legal officer to help improve the representation of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and create change within the asylum system.

UKLGIG has been supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration process and campaigning for their rights since 1993. Our legal advice service, launched last year, is the only one of its kind and we are looking for someone with experience as an asylum caseworker or advisor to scale it up and use the evidence we gather to advocate for changes in the asylum system.

You will help design the legal service and take responsibility for its day-to-day delivery. You will also build capacity amongst legal representatives by designing and delivering training, giving second tier advice and establishing, developing and coordinating a network of practitioners working in this area. You will use the knowledge you gain in this role to help deliver UKLGIG’s policy and communications work, including attending meetings with policy makers and campaign partners.

This is a unique opportunity to build on your experience as a lawyer or caseworker to improve representation across the sector and create change in government policy and practice. You will be supported to develop as a specialist lawyer and influencer.

For applicants wishing to work full-time or do job share, there will be scheduled one-day travel in the UK and the possibility of travel within Europe (this can be discussed with applicants who wish to apply for a part-time role).

You will:

1. be responsible for the design and delivery of the UKLGIG legal advice service to adult LGBTQI+ asylum seekers
2. give one-off immigration advice to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and help refer them to legal aid and pro bono representatives
3. provide second tier advice to the legal representatives of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and other NGOs and professionals
4. design and deliver training to lawyers, NGOs and other professionals
5. establish, develop and coordinate a network of caseworkers and lawyers representing LGBTQI+ asylum seekers
6. write blogs and articles on asylum and immigration policy and legislation as they apply to LGBTQI+ people
7. help write policy and briefing papers
8. attend meetings with other NGOs, Home Office policy makers and other stakeholders.

The Legal Officer will not be providing 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.

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

SALARY: £35,190 – £38,760 (pro-rata for part-time employees)

HOURS: Full-time (35 hours per week) or job share. Part-time to fulfil part of the role only will be considered. Work one evening a month and occasional weekends is required but with plenty of notice.

LOCATION: Central London with one regular monthly visit to immigration detention centres near London and a monthly visit to Birmingham. Occasional travel to other cities may also be required. There may be some travel within Europe but this is unlikely to be more than once a year.

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (this position is funded through the generosity of Trust for London and Linklaters LLP.)

HOW TO APPLY: Please send application forms (no CVs please) and monitoring forms to recruitment@uklgig.org.uk. Download the application form here and the monitoring form here. A DBS check will be carried out by UKLGIG.

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 9.30 am Monday 24 September 2018

INTERVIEW DATE: Thursday 27 September 2018