Legal Advisor

Job Summary

The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports.

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Job Objectives

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To provide expert professional advice to the CEO, Senior Management Team, the Board, Service Directors, Area Managers and Tusla sta.
• To promote a high standard of legal excellence in the Child and Family Agency.
• To provide advices in the areas of Child Care Law and Constitutional/Administrative Law to Tusla staff with particular emphasis on data protection law and disclosure in criminal prosecutions.
• To manage High Court cases with supervision by the Senior Solicitors within the Legal office.
• To contribute to the Office Knowledge Management system within the in-house legal office.
• To provide Legal Training to staff within Tusla on the functions of Tusla and the Agency’s legal obligations in that context and related matters.

Leadership and Development

• Coordinate and lead junior members of staff within the wider legal team.
• Mentor and supervision junior staff.
• Support trainee solicitors.
• Promote a positive work ethic within the team.
• To lead, manage, organise and motivate staff to function effectively in a changing environment.

Communications and Stakeholder Management

• Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop strong working relationship with key stakeholders.

Education & Training

• Provide Legal Training to staff within Tusla.
• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
• Engage in career and professional development planning.
• Oversee the provision of a framework for the promotion of staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of the team.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The precise role and responsibilities of this post are developing in the context of evolving structures within Child and Family Agency Legal & Corporate Services, and the Head of Legal Services, will assist in finalising and implementing new arrangements.

This is predominantly an office-based role due to the nature of the work however remote working can be applied for once the probation period has been satisfactorily completed, in line with Tusla Remote Working Policy.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Skills Requirement

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

Essential

• Have 3 years post qualification experience as a Barrister or Solicitor
• Have experience in advising on Childcare Law, Constitutional and Administrative law to include a particular emphasis on fair procedures
• Have experience in matters before the Circuit and High Court
• Have experience in criminal disclosure and data protection law
• Have experience in the supervision and mentoring of staff
• Have a comprehensive and detailed track record in a legal advisory role with experience of conducting a wide range of substantial cases involving complex issues related to the work of the Child and Family Agency or equivalent work
• Have experience in providing legal training to a wide range of individuals in a variety of professional disciplines
• Possess the administrative capacity to discharge the functions of the role and the requisite knowledge and ability to carry out the duties of the office efficiently and effectively.

Desired

• Experience in District / Circuit Court Advocacy 

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Attachment(s) :

Grade VIII Legal Advisor Candidate Information Pack Feb 25.pdf