Current Vacancies

Relatives for Justice is recruiting for an Advocacy Casework Manager.

We are recruiting for this key member of our senior staff team. We are looking for someone with experience in leading dynamic teams and with a keen interest in the rule of law and human rights to join us, as we support victims and survivors in the changing landscape of truth and justice.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Advocacy Casework Manager

Closing Date: 4pm 9th September 2023

Post:                           Advocacy Casework Manager   

Salary:                        £39,493 (NJC point 33)        

Responsible For:        The provision of strategic advocacy casework advice services and support to victims and survivors of the conflict

Location:                    RFJ Head Office, Glen Road, Belfast

Contract until 31st March 2024. Continuation subject to expected extension

 Closing Date: Friday 4pm 9th September

To apply: email adminrfj@relativesforjustice.com

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, an excellent communicator, proactive, flexible, highly organised and able to meet deadlines.

The role of the Casework Manager:

• Managing a team of caseworkers in a busy environment supporting families bereaved and individuals injured during the conflict, to engage with criminal justice agencies, courts and the legal profession;
• To coordinate the production of bespoke “Family Reports”;
• Coordination of responses to International Legal/Treaty Frameworks;
• Working with the Senior Management Team in Relatives for Justice.

Responsibilities

– Line management of team of advocacy casework staff;

– Ensuring the quality of work, advice and reports provided by the team;

– Managing your own caseload;

– Ensuring all organisational deadlines are met;

– Able to think creatively and strategically in order to progress cases;

– Triaging new referrals;

– Organising team meetings;

– Supporting with the development of team and organisational policies;

– Responsibility for evaluating and monitoring advocacy casework;

– Supporting the team to maintain and develop our network of external partners;

– Being live to trends in casework and legacy and reporting these to the CEO;

– Supporting with funding applications;

– Supporting the CEO to identify cases relevant to our strategic casework objectives;

– Applying a gender lens to advocacy casework;

– Engage in public events and media with and on behalf of clients and on behalf of RFJ when directed by CEO.

Case Support:

1. To oversee:

– the provision of appropriate advocacy casework advice to victims of the conflict;

– the development of comprehensive research and documentation initiatives, including publication of bespoke family reports;

2. To develop strategic interventions on matters of policy and systemic human rights violations;

1. To develop and manage RFJ’s casework systems with the CEO;
2. Support CEO with organisational responses to consultations and developments affecting the work of legacy and advocacy casework;
3. To ensure RFJ compliance with all relevant legal requirements in relation to advocacy casework;

6. To maintain seamless internal referral routes for other RFJ services;
7. To work with the senior management team to identify and maintain resources required for case work.

Accountability: The post holder will:

1. Be accountable to the CEO.
2. Comply with RFJ Policies and Procedures.
3. Undertake duties in a way that secures positive and healthy action in respect of equal opportunities and ensuring tolerance and understanding and the promotion of human rights.
4. Maintain record keeping systems meeting RFJ and funder requirements.

Communication:

1. To work as part of the senior management of RFJ, ensuring clear communication systems and policies are adhered to.
2. To promote and publicise the work of RFJ’s advocacy casework in line with RFJ policy.
3. To form good working relations within an integrated setting.
4. To work as part of a team in maintaining and developing links with other and external stakeholders.
5. To attend relevant meetings as agreed with the CEO.

General:

1. To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post with regard to the Equal Opportunities Policy.
2. To work flexibly to meet the needs of the job. This will occasionally involve evening and weekend work.
3. To carry out any other duties and responsibilities commensurate to the grade and post.
4. The post holder will be based in RFJ’s Belfast office but will be expected to travel to fulfil the obligations of the post.

Terms & Conditions:

1. A lone worker policy is in place for the wellbeing of all staff.
2. A health and wellbeing package is provided to staff.
3. Offline Supervision is provided to the postholder.
4. Compassion Fatigue Training, Trauma Training and Reflective Practice is available to the postholder.
5. The position is funded until end December 2023, with anticipated extension to 2028.
6. 21 holidays per year in addition to office closures.
7. 37 hours per week.
8. Relatives for Justice does not offer overtime payments but operate a time in lieu policy.

Car Allowance

9. Mileage allowances are payable when the use of a motorcar is essential.

Relatives for Justice

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Advocacy Casework Manager

Post:                           Advocacy Casework Manager

Essential Criteria:

1. A third level degree in human rights/law with minimum three years relevant experience working within a human rights/legal casework setting;

or

A relevant 3^rd level degree with minimum five years relevant experience of working within a human rights/legal casework setting.

2. Extensive working knowledge of domestic and international human rights law;
3. Minimum 3-yrs experience of line management of paid staff;
4. Experience of developing and/or practicing in strategic litigation;
5. Proven casework, research, presentation and written skills;
6. An excellent understanding of the impact of the conflict in Ireland on victims and survivors;
7. Excellent knowledge of the victims and survivors sector including current transitional justice initiatives;
8. Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues;
9. Awareness and sensitivity regarding complex trauma;
10. The ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines;
11. Proven ability to work as part of a team and as an individual;
12. Proven ability to plan, record and evaluate through written reports;
13. Experience of partnership and multi-agency working;
14. Excellent inter-personal skills and proven skills of professional empathy;
15. Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
16. A commitment to the ethos and core values of Relatives for Justice;
17. Access to transport to fulfil requirements of the post.