SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER

The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) is the leading professional membership body for practitioners working in immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law. ILPA works across the full breadth of immigration law and policy including asylum and refugee protection, detention and removals, legal aid and access to justice, tribunals and appeals, and economic migration and sponsorship policy.

We exist to promote and improve the law and practice of immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law and to ensure that policy and legislation are informed by evidence, expertise and the lived experience of those affected.

Purpose of the role

The Senior Legal Officer will play a key role in supporting ILPA’s legal and policy work on immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law.

Working under the direction of the Legal Director, the post holder will engage in detailed legal and policy analysis, support parliamentary and influencing activity, support legal project delivery, and contribute to high-quality information and engagement for ILPA members.

The Senior Legal Officer will also work closely with the Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice where legal policy and strategic litigation intersect and in the line management of the Legal Project Officer.

Key responsibilities

1. Legal and policy analysis

1. Produce high-quality analysis of immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law and policy.
2. Monitor developments in legislation, case law and policy, including secondary legislation and guidance.
3. Prepare written briefings, updates and summaries for members, trustees and external stakeholders.
4. Support the Legal Director in the development and delivery of ILPA’s legal strategy.

2. Parliamentary and influencing work

1. Support ILPA’s parliamentary work, including monitoring legislation and parliamentary business.
2. Draft consultation responses, briefings and evidence submissions.
3. Assist in engagement with parliamentarians, officials, peers and external organisations.
4. Support the organisation of meetings and briefings with MPs, peers, civil servants and sector partners.
5. Contribute to ILPA’s influencing activity through written and oral advocacy.

3. Member engagement and sector support

1. Liaise with ILPA members to gather evidence and practice insight to inform policy positions.
2. Support ILPA’s thematic and regional working groups, including attending meetings and progressing agreed actions.
3. Respond to and triage member enquiries, directing issues to appropriate working groups or colleagues.
4. Promote knowledge-sharing across the immigration and advice sector.

4. Legal project delivery

1. Ensure project outputs are delivered on time and to the required standard.
2. Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and funder reporting where required.
3. Shared line management of the Legal Project Officer.

5. Information management and publications

1. Ensure legal and policy information is accurately stored, organised and retrievable.
2. Work with the Content and Digital Channels Manager to ensure accuracy and clarity of published legal content.

6. Organisational contribution

1. Support cross-team working with training, content and litigation colleagues.
2. Contribute to organisational planning, learning and continuous improvement.
3. Undertake other duties consistent with the seniority of the role.

Accountability and relationships

Reports to: Legal Director

Key working relationships:

• Legal Project Officer
• Additional Senior Legal Officer
• Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice
• Training Manager
• Content and Digital Channels Manager
• Membership Engagement Manager
• Chief Executive and Trustees

How to apply

To apply, please complete:

• ILPA Application Form
• ILPA Equalities Monitoring form

And submit these with your CV to [email protected]

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Anthony Essien ([email protected])

Person specification

Essential

• Appropriate post-qualification experience in immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law
• Strong legal analysis, judgement and drafting skills
• Ability to communicate complex legal information clearly in writing and orally
• Experience of legal or policy work within immigration law
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Commitment to ILPA’s charitable objectives

Desirable

• Experience working with parliamentarians or government departments
• Knowledge of parliamentary process and legislative scrutiny
• Experience of project management or grant-funded work
• Experience supervising staff or supporting junior colleagues