Job Title: Anti-Human Trafficking Policy Officer
Employer: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
County: Dublin
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 19th March 2026
Starting Salary: €59,435
About the Employer
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is Ireland’s national human rights and equality body. It was established under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 with a statutory mandate to:
Protect and promote human rights and equality.
Encourage the development of a culture of respect for human rights, equality, and intercultural understanding in the State.
Promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights and equality in the State.
Encourage good practice in intercultural relations, promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State and respect for the freedom and dignity of each person, and,
Work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct.
IHREC’s strategy and policy is determined independently by the members of the Commission who are appointed by the Head of State, President Catherine Connolly. The diverse membership of the Commission broadly reflects the nature of Irish society.
IHREC staff currently work in six teams: Policy & Research, Strategic Engagement, Legal, Monitoring and Compliance, Corporate Services and Office of the Director. The Monitoring and Compliance team lead on the work related to IHREC’s statutory mandates which include mandates in the areas of anti-human trafficking, disability, artificial intelligence, and a prospective mandate on monitoring detention.
About the Role
The successful candidate will be placed in the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit as an Anti-Human Trafficking Policy Officer (Higher Executive Officer). The Head of the Monitoring and Compliance team has the overarching responsibility for this area. The Anti-Human Trafficking Policy Officer will play a key role in assisting IHREC to deliver high quality, evidence-based reporting, policy and legislative analysis together with other outreach and engagement activities that meet the highest standards and are presented in a way that achieves impact and influence.
The purpose of this role is to support effective and expert delivery of IHREC’s National Rapporteur function in line with IHREC’s Strategy Statement and in line with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 (as amended).
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Day-to-day delivery of the IHREC work plan and support to the National Rapporteur function within IHREC;
Managing delivery of, researching and drafting regular and comprehensive monitoring reports and thematic reports on human trafficking in Ireland;
Providing high quality research products as needed, including briefings, presentations, and legislative submissions, as required;
Collecting and analysing data on human trafficking, and incorporating it into the work and outputs of the National Rapporteur;
Maintaining, improving and coordinating the Unit’s knowledge management on human trafficking, and related issues;
Supporting the management of budgets and ensuring compliance with finance and procurement obligations;
Delivering on and inputting into a programme of engagement with key stakeholders, nationally and internationally;
Preparing, managing and delivering on commissioning of strategic research on human trafficking;
Representing IHREC in relevant working groups and external events including making presentations on behalf of the Unit.
About You
Essential
Candidates must have on or before Thursday 19th of March 2026:
A qualification at minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (or NARIC foreign qualifications equivalent) in law, human rights, equality or a related discipline such as sociology, gender equality or gender studies, international development, international relations, community development.
A minimum of three years’ relevant experience in the area of Anti-Human Trafficking and/or a directly related area such as combatting gender-based violence, support of vulnerable migrant communities, human rights research, human rights monitoring and/or reporting etc. Candidates must also have:
Good working knowledge of international (United Nations), regional (European) and domestic (Irish) human rights and equality law and policy;
The ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise evidence in a range of formats (text, statistical) from multiple sources in order to prepare evidence-based positions;
Excellent research and drafting skills including experience of legislative and policy research and analysis, and monitoring the progress of relevant legislation and policy, gained either through relevant studies or through conducting research and analysis in an employment/internship context;
Strong organisational and project management skills with a planned and systematic approach to work and excellent attention to detail;
The ability to work independently and/or as part of a team (as required), within a defined programme of work;
The ability to work calmly under pressure and deal with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines;
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with technical and non-technical experts and a wide range of stakeholders;
Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner;
Good Information Technology (IT) skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel;
A demonstrated ongoing commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) including keeping updated and fully informed on developments in relevant areas.
The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 19th of March at 3pm.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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