Background to the post Asylum and Immigration Adviser JOB DESCRIPTION 1. Asylum Justice is a charity formed in 2005 to provide free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers who are without the means to secure legal representation and who do not have access to legal representation under current Legal Aid rules. 2. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Asylum and Immigration Adviser or Barrister/ Solicitor to work for the charity. The successful applicant will be accredited at IAAS Level 2 and/or OISC Level 3. The charity is a registered OISC Level 3 service provider. 3. The post-holder will be expected to manage (without close supervision) an active and busy caseload, which will include providing advice and assistance to clients in respect of matters including asylum and Human Rights claims, removal and deportation, applications for refugee family reunion and appeals before the Asylum and Immigration Tribunals. 4. The post-holder will also be expected:- (a) Provide cover on a rota basis for the Asylum Justice evening drop-in advice sessions In Cardiff and Swansea; (b) Support the Legal Director in preparing appeals before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber (IAC); and (b) To be qualified to supervise the work of trainee Immigration Advisers working at OISC Level 1. 5. With Welsh Government funding, a consortium of organisations led by the Welsh Refugee Council are working together to deliver an Asylum Rights Programme which will improve access to
support services and advice for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants across Wales. Key responsibilities and duties 1. The post holder will be required to:- (i) Undertake a varied caseload covering matters set out at Paragraph 3 above; (ii) Interview Clients, identifying the legal and practical issues raised by each case, and advising on the appropriate action to be taken. (iii) Attend Asylum Justice Drop In advice sessions on a rota basis in Cardiff and Swansea. This will involve covering some evening sessions. For that purpose, Post-holders will be required to:- (a) Make full attendance notes of steps taken in each case, including all telephone calls, E-mails and face-to-face meetings; (b) Take personal responsibility for any necessary follow-up actions arising therefrom; (c) Commission or undertake any necessary case research and instruct experts as necessary; (d) Where any legal advice is tendered to a Client, to confirm that advice in writing by letter to the Client; (e) Liaise regularly with the relevant Home Office department, keeping Clients informed of the progress of their case 2. General Supervisory and Training Duties
1. The Post-holder will also be required, in addition to discharging their own caseload, to:- (a) Supervise and train less qualified members of the team; (b) Support team members and trustees, to ensure compliance with requirements of funders and OISC; (c) To maintain the highest professional standards which shall include:- (i) Working and behaving in a professional manner, to the high standards expected of the legal profession and charities; (ii) Assisting with, and participating in, measures to promote, the growth and development of, the charity; (iii) Treating all information about the firm s Clients and their cases as wholly confidential; (iv) Keeping up-to-date with relevant changes in the law and remaining aware of all relevant rules, policies and best practice guidance as it affects all aspects of the work of the charity; (v) Respecting all Clients and colleagues (whether salaried staff or volunteers); (vi) Helping to devise, and to implement, all approved internal administrative systems at all times; this includes maintaining and sharing all required monitoring data in a timely manner (vii) Ensuring adherence to OISC Rules and Codes; (viii) Complying with all OISC prevailing annual requirements for undertaking Continuing Professional Development ;
(ix) Maintain and promote good working relationships with other organisations working to support refugees and asylum seekers e.g. WRC, DPIA, WMP, City of Sanctuary; (x) To comply with All Personal Development requirements (d) (e) To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required; To work flexibly outside normal office hours when reasonably required, such as attendance at evening Drop In advice sessions, with time-off in lieu without adjustment of salary Person Specification Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate appropriate qualifications, skills, knowledge, and/or experience in each of the following respects:- Essential criteria (1) Qualification as a registered IAAS Level 2 and/or OISC Level 3 Asylum and Immigration Adviser or practising Barrister/ Solicitor; (2) Minimum one year s experience of preparing asylum and human rights claims; (3) Substantial experience of presenting appeals at the Firsttier Tribunal (4) Good practical and advocacy skills; (5) Good communication skills, both written and verbal;
(6) Good organisational and time-management skills, with ability to manage a full personal caseload, while also supervising other team members, as may reasonably be required; (7) Personal commitment to this area of the law, with excellent Client-care skills and an ability to work under pressure in order to meet multiple deadlines; (8) Personal interest in, and commitment to, the success of the charity s values and ethos; (9) Be a dynamic and self-motivated individual; (10) Good interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism in all dealings and empathy with AJ Clients; (11) Experience of instructing experts and working with interpreters; (12) Good word-processing skills, an understanding of all Microsoft office packages, and a willingness to undergo appropriate training as necessary. Desirable criteria (1) Experience of providing supervision