Work opportunities
FLAC is currently recruiting for:
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FLAC’s Independent Law Centre is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual - who is interested in using to the law to advance social change – to join our Independent Law Centre as a Public Interest Litigation Solicitor.
The position offers a unique opportunity to undertake litigation aimed at tackling disadvantage and discrimination, and promoting human rights, equality and access to justice.
About FLAC
For decades, FLAC has been at the forefront of public interest law in Ireland and has used litigation to bring about landmark changes in Irish law and society. FLAC remains committed to providing legal assistance to those who may not otherwise be able to challenge injustice and inequality.
As well as being important to the individual clients, FLAC pursues cases which have the potential to benefit a wider community. This includes cases arising from the Roma Legal Clinic, LGBTQI+ Service and Traveller Legal Service operated by the FLAC litigation team.
FLAC frequently acts in cases in areas such as Housing, Social Welfare and Discrimination before Irish tribunals and courts, and has also appeared in cases before the European Court of Human Rights and Court of Justice of the European Union.
Job Description
Specific Duties:
- Provide advocacy and legal representation in cases before relevant courts and tribunals with the supervision and support of FLAC’s Managing Solicitor.
- Provide legal advice in relation to equality/anti-discrimination law, housing, accommodation, evictions, social welfare, and other areas of law with particular relevance to the Traveller community, Roma community and LGBTQI+ community.
- Participate in the coordination and delivery of legal education projects, including through the development of relevant training and resource materials.
- Contribute to FLAC’s policy development.
- Comment on legal issues of strategic importance, including in the media as required.
- Work with other members of the legal team to maintain systems and contribute to the overall efficient running of the legal service within FLAC and the FLAC organisation in general.
- Collaborate with other members of staff in relation to advancing access to justice within FLAC’s other areas of work.
- Work to maximise the availability of legal services to members of marginalised and disadvantaged communities, and collaborate and support other projects advancing access to justice as relevant.
Other General Duties:
- To collaborate with other Independent Law Centres, NGOs and the Legal Aid Board on relevant legal issues and referrals.
- To undertake other duties connected to the work of the organisation as required.
- Contribute to the strategic development and review the overall performance and strategic development of FLAC as an organisation
- Complying with FLAC’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of cases taken / advocacy undertaken, referrals made and outcomes achieved and other work undertaken.
- Provide periodic reports on work undertaken.
Salary is commensurate with experience.
The position is full time, but some flexibility as to hours is possible.
Requirements
Essential Requirements:
- Hold an appropriate professional legal qualification.
- Have at least 2 years post qualification experience in litigation at all levels.
- Compliance with Law Society regulations regarding professional conduct.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work flexibly with clients coming from diverse backgrounds.
- Proven ability to engage with key stakeholders.
- Proven organisational skills with good attention to detail.
- Good IT skills, proficiency in MS Office.
- Ability to meet targets and work to deadlines.
- Strong ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team.
- High level of personal responsibility and integrity.
Desirable:
- Experience in housing law / administrative law generally / equality or human rights law /public interest law.
- Experience in human rights/social justice work and/or the community and voluntary sector.
- Demonstrated interest in the principles of access to justice and social justice.
- Experience of using and maintaining a case management database.
Closing Date for Applications: 5:30pm on 13 August 2025.
Interviews for the role will be held on 21 and 22 August 2025.
Please send a cover letter and full Curriculum Vitae to recruitment@flac.ie
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Council Member (Director/Trustee) with Finance Experience
About the role
The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) Council, is seeking to recruit a new Council member with finance experience, to join the Council in 2024. The candidate should currently hold or have previously held a role at a senior level in a finance related role such as an accountant or financial controller. Experience of the Charities Statement of Financial Practice (SORP) would be of benefit. The candidate should also have a very good understanding/knowledge of and interest in the charity sector and the Charities Regulatory Authority.
There are currently eight members on FLAC Council with one due to retire in early 2024. Council has eight members (8), the successful candidate for this role will be invited to join a Board committee.
All members of FLAC Council are Directors of Free Legal Advice Centres, which is a company, limited by guarantee and have duties as a Director under Company Law.
FLAC Council is committed to the principles that are set out in the Charities Governance Code.
Each Council member of FLAC is therefore understood to commit to:
- Advancing the Charitable Purpose of FLAC
- Behaving with integrity
- Leading people
- Exercising control
- Working effectively
- Being accountable and transparent
Time Commitment
FLAC Council meets 8-10 times a year with three meetings in person per annum. Council meetings take place both online and in person in FLAC’s Head Office. The estimated time commitment of the Council member is 6-8 hours per month.
Council members are expected to attend all meetings, although it is understood that there may be times where other events prevent attendance. Where appropriate, participation by conference call will be arranged.
The new board member would also be required to, provide supervision and support to the finance manager, in relation to; the finance report for council, SORP, the audit and investments and be a member of audit and risk committee. The new board member preferably would be or have considerable experience as an accountant/financial controller
The initial term of office for FLAC Council members is 3 years, with an opportunity to serve a second 3-year term subject to Council approval.
About FLAC
FLAC is an independent legal and human rights organisation, which exists to promote equal access to justice. Our vision is of a society where everyone can access fair and accountable mechanisms to assert and vindicate their rights. We
- Operate a legal information and referral telephone line.
- Run a nationwide network of legal advice clinics where volunteer lawyers provide basic free legal advice.
- Engage in litigation and takes on cases in the public interest, as an Independent Law Centre.
- Engage in research and advocates for policy and law reform in areas of law that most affect disadvantaged and marginalised people.
- Operate a Pro Bono Referral Scheme through the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA), and engage the legal community and civil society in using the law to advance social change.
- Run a Roma and LGBTQI+ Legal Clinic.
- Operate the Traveller Legal Service.
We are working developing our new strategic plan for 2024-2027
To apply
Please send a CV of no more than 2 pages and a cover letter of no more than one page through by email to ingrid.colvin@flac.ie . Your application should detail any relevant finance, charity and board experience as well as what attracted you to this role. Please note that previous board experience is not an essential requirement for this role.
FLAC has a Board Recruitment Strategy which identifies the skills required for a well-functioning board. It is important that FLAC Council is made up of members who bring different insights and perspectives to the deliberations and decision making of the Council and which has regard to the need to have diversity among council members, which reflects the diversity that exists in our society including the diversity that is reflected in terms of the discriminatory grounds in the equality legislation and socio economic status, and which reflects different backgrounds and life experience. Recruitment to FLAC Council should take into account any practical experience of individuals in the area to which the FLAC’s purpose relates and any special expertise an individual may have in order to ensure that FLAC Council gets a wider range of experience and is effective in realising its objectives. Recruitment to FLAC Council ensures that there are no unnecessary barriers that might prevent people from joining or taking part in FLAC Council
For more information on the Council or FLAC, please contact the Assistant Chief Executive, Ingrid Colvin on Ingrid.colvin@flac.ie
A pdf copy of the above role description can be downloaded here
Please keep an eye on our social media platforms for news of any future opportunities.