Applications are now invited for a Legal, Policy and Public Affairs Manager with the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT). This position involves covering a senior role within the IPRT team, with responsibility for overseeing and implementing our legal, policy and public affairs programme of work 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.

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. 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 with others.

Our work is evidence-based, informed by 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 evidence-informed policy research and recommendations, underpinned by human rights, while also working constructively with decision-makers to deliver effective penal policy in Ireland.

About the Role

In 2020, IPRT established a Legal and Public Affairs Programme with clear deliverable outputs and objectives. The Legal, Policy and Public Affairs Manager will be responsible for continuing the delivery of the programme, to help bring about lasting reforms embedded in law and policy. The successful applicant will support the Executive Director with senior management tasks. Our Legal, Policy 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:

1. Influencing law and informing debate through published research on sentencing, deterrence, diversion and non- custodial alternatives;
2. Direct engagement with criminal justice and social policy leaders and legislators;
3. Engaging with our legal system to facilitate innovative and more effective approaches. The Legal Policy and Public Affairs Manager also contributes to and oversees the development or promotion of IPRT’s key policy positions including through 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.

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

Full time (35 hours per week, exclusive of breaks) for an initial three-year fixed term contract with a view to extension subject to funding. The successful candidate will undergo a six-month probationary period.