CANDIDATE BRIEF: POLICYOFFICER
About Fair Trials International (FTI)
For the last nineteen years, Fair Trials International has worked for the better protection of fair trial rights and defended the rights of people facing criminal charges in a country other than their own. Our vision is a world where every person’s right to a fair trial is respected, whatever their nationality, wherever they are accused.
We were first established to help people arrested thousands of miles from home to overcome the enormous obstacles to justice that they almost always face. Non-national defendants usually lack knowledge of local languages, customs and legal systems; on arrest and in detention, they are far from their support networks and often unable to have regular contact; collecting evidence in such circumstances is difficult; and they often face discrimination, for example in attempts to secure bail or obtain legal aid.
It is this work with people arrested in countries all over the world that distinguishes Fair Trials International from other human rights and law reform organisations. Our clients’ experiences enable us to bring legal issues to life – issues which might otherwise be dismissed as complicated and legalistic. Individual stories of injustice help us to demonstrate the importance of respect for fair trial rights and to make these rightsunderstandable to people with no first-hand knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Our experience of real cases also helps us to decide on the most important areas on which to focus our policy and campaigns activities. Through this work we lobby for legal reforms necessary to ensure that the right to a fair trial is respected in practice. We also campaign for changes to laws which, although intended to help tackle serious crime, have resulted in injustice because of inadequate safeguards against abuse and overuse. This work is also informed by our networks of experts in criminal defence and human rights across the EU.
The Office and the team
FTI is based in central London, at the heart of London’s legal community in Temple. Under the Chief Executive, the team consists of two Legal Caseworkers,a Head of Policy and Policy Officer, Press Officer, Office Manager, Fundraiser and part-time Accountant. There are also a significant number of legal and non-legal interns and volunteers.This vacancy has arisen because ourcurrent Policy Officer is leaving FTI to become a barrister.
Salary and conditions
The post of Policy Officer is full time, initially on a one year fixed term contract. The salary is£26,000 to £30,000per year. Generous annual leave and a 5% pension contribution will also be offered.
To apply
Please send a CV and cover letter electronically to no later than 30th September.Applications received after this will not be considered. Please clearly include your name and “PolicyOfficer” in the subject field of the email.
Your CV and cover letter should include
- Your name and contact details.
- Your educational history, including universities/colleges attended with dates and significant qualifications obtained.
- Your employment history, including all significant posts you have held – with dates, the names of the employers, and a description of the main duties, together with your present or most recent salary, and your contractual notice period. (You should also explain any significant gaps, e.g. covered by travelling, self-employment etc.)
- An explanation of why you would like the job; the qualities you would bring to it; how you would approach the task if you were you awarded the post.
- The names and contact details of two referees who know your work, who may be contacted if you are short-listed.
- Information about how you learned of the post.
If you have any queries, please send them to the same email address or call Rosalyn Salmon on +44 (0)20 7822 2370.
The selection process
We will aim to inform short-listed candidates by 5th October with interviews for short-listed candidates being held at FTI’s offices in central Londonduring the week beginning 10th October. Telephone interviews will not be offered.
Fair Trials International is conducting this appointment on equal opportunity principles and will welcome applications from candidates who can fulfil the requirements of the post irrespective of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.
The personal data which you have provided, and which we may request, in connection with your application, will not be retained beyond 12 months should your application be unsuccessful. If you are appointed, your personal data will only be used for the purposes of human resources management.
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