Law & Policy Officer ( Full Time: 35 hours per week) ABOUT SAFE IRELAND Safe Ireland National Social Change Agency works to eradicate Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) in Ireland.
We recognise that DSGBV is a widescale social problem that requires a nationwide county and community-based responseat every level to ensure safe pathways out of abuse for women & children.
We have four distinct functions: Understanding domestic, sex, gender and sexuality-based coercion and violence(DSGBV)toadvancegovernment,commercialandcivilsocietypolicy, practice and provision responses.
Providingandsupportingfrontlinerefuge,supportandoutreachservices to SURVIVORS of DSGBV.
Supporting Safe Irelandmember SERVICES.
Developing DVSECTORALbestpracticeforcommunity-based DSGSBV responses.
Weachieveourworkthroughcollaborationswithournetworkofaffiliated independent frontline DV services, and with national stakeholders.
Therearethirty-seven DVaffiliatedasmembersof Safe Ireland.
Eachdeliverlocal services including helplines, information/advocacy, crisis and move-on accommodation, Garda/Courtaccompaniment, Welfareadvice,and practical/emotional/therapeuticsupportsforadults,youngpeopleandchildren.
JOB PURPOSE We are seeking a legally trained, research-driven and values-led Law and Policy Officerwhowantstomakearealimpactonthelivesofwomenandchildren.
This role offers the chance to work at the centre of national legal and policy development on DSGSBV issues.
It is ideally suited to an early career advocate, researcher or policy professional who is ready to take ownership of significant workstreams within a small, specialist team.
The successful candidate will work closely with an experienced Law and Policy Manager with advanced academicand professional expertise.
You will gain direct exposure to national policymaking, legislative processes, and cross departmental engagement across justice, health, housing, education, social protection and related fields.
The role combines proactive research and policy development with timely responses to legislative or consultation processes and involves a balanced mix of detailed legal analysis and practical advocacy work within a collaborative and supportiveteamenvironment.
ABOUT THE ROLE Job Title: Law&Policy Officer Location: Basedinour Dublin8 Offices,withsometravel (whennecessary) Job Type: Full Time:35hrsperweek.
Contractof Indefinite Duration Reports To: Law&Policy Manager Salary Scale: HSE Consolidated Pay scales Aug 2025 : €58,786 per annum, point 3 Social Care Leader Scale Probationary Period: 6months Drivers Licence Full, Clean Drivers Licence and access to a car is a requirement of this role References Satisfactorywrittenreferencesarearequirement ofthisrole Key Responsibilities Applicants will be assessed against the following requirements and are encouraged tousetheirapplicationstoprovideexamplesofhowtheymeet these criteria.
Core Legaland Policy Functions Conducthighqualitylegalandpolicyresearchon Irish, EUandinternational frameworks relevant to DSGSBV.
Analyselegislation,caselaw,regulatorydevelopments,andgovernmentproposals to support organisational positions.
Prepareclearlegalbriefs,internalguidance,andevidenceinformedpolicy insights.
Drafting and Policy Development Draftconsultationresponses, Oireachtassubmissions,legislativeamendment proposals, briefing materials, and technical notes.
Translate DSGSBVfrontline evidence and case trendsintocoherentproposalsfor reform.
Monitorongoinglegal,policy,andregulatorydevelopmentsandmaintain structured tracking tools that support organisational planning.
Departmental Coordination Contributetostructuredinternalsystemsthatsupportconsistentlegalandpolicy work across the organisation.
Manage delegated work independently, using strong judgment and organisational skills to ensure reliable delivery of outputs.
Assistwithinternalguidancematerials,templates,andcoordinationofcross teaminputs.
Evidence and Network Engagement Gather qualitative and quantitative evidence from the Safe Ireland Network toinform reform proposals.
Workcloselywithcolleaguesandpartnerorganisationstoensurethatpolicy outputs are grounded in lived experience and practice evidence.
Advocacy and External Engagement Prepare briefing papers and meeting packs for engagements with Government, civil servants, Oireachtas members, statutory agencies and NGO partners.
Represent Safe Irelandatselectedworkinggroupsorstakeholdermeetings.
Provideaccurateandrobustlegalandpolicyinputintocommunications materials.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience Bachelors degree in law (LLB or equivalent), providing strong foundational training in legal analysis and reasoning.
Postgraduate qualification in Law (LLM or equivalent), or a closely related discipline that includes substantial legal research or policy-based study.
Strongunderstandingof Irishlegislativeprocessaswell aslawand policyrelating to DSGSBV, constitutional protections, ECHR principles, EU and international standards.
Minimum2yearsofexperience ina legal,policy,researchorrights-based setting (e.g.
NGO, legal clinic or office, academic institution or public body), although candidates with strong relevant experience at an earlier stage will also be considered.
Demonstrated ability to analyse policy problems and evaluate legal and policy options.
Capacity to work independently for defined periods, managing priorities and deadlines with limited supervision.
Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with proven ability to synthesise complex information into clear, accessible, and actionabledocuments suitable for policymakers, stakeholders, and internal teams.
Proven ability to manage small projects or coordinated workstreams from planning to delivery.
Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience Additional study in DSGSBV, human rights, criminology, equality studies or social policy.
Experiencecontributingtoadvocacyorreformprocesses.
Experience in sectors connected to DSGSBV such as justice, policing, health, housing or social protection.
Familiaritywithresearchmethods,evaluationapproachesordatainformedpolicy work.
Prior experience representing an organisation in meetings or public fora.
Why Join Safe Ireland? Make a real contribution to national legal and policy reform that improves safety, justice and equality for women and children.
Workwithinasmall,specialistteamwhereyourlegalandpolicyskillswillhave visibleimpact.
Receive structured supervision, clear guidance, and dedicated opportunities for professional development, ensuring you can grow your expertise within a supportive and well organised department.
Benefit from hybrid working that support focused research time, balanced workingpatterns,andtheautonomyneededtomanagecomplexlegalandpolicy taskseffectively.
Access a strong package of organisational supports including a 7% employer pension contribution after probation, 25 days annual leave per year, paid sick leave after probation, and a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
Joinamissiondrivenorganisationcommittedtolearning,innovationandevidence informed law and policy work.
Gain direct exposure to national decision-making spaces and opportunities to shape legislative and policy reform.
Apply for the role Please send a detailed CV and cover letter when applying.
Please note closing date is 5pm on Friday 22nd May 2026 Interviewsanticipatedforweekbeginningthe2nd June2026 Allapplicationsaretreatedinthestrictestconfidence.
Thisroleissubjecttothereceiptofsatisfactorywrittenreferences.
Statementsof employment are not accepted as references.
Safe Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.