OLA Justice Officer – Job Description

The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) wish to recruit a Justice Officer, working full-time. The role will involve hybrid-working for the first year based at Ardfoyle Convent, Ballintemple, Cork, after which flexibility around remote working is negotiable.

The mission of the OLA Justice Officer is to promote social and environmental justice through public policy advocacy and awareness raising, from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) and the Society of African Missions (SMA) share a Joint Justice Committee, and the OLA and SMA Justice Officers work in partnership for the promotion of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Our strategic approach is to work collaboratively with others who share our values. See our present strategic plan: Strategy of the Justice Desk of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles Irish Province – Executive Summary – 03 Nov 2020.

This role is suited to someone who is passionate about social and environmental justice, and who appreciates Catholic Social Teaching. The ideal candidate will be a good project manager and strategic thinker, who communicates effectively and excels at working collaboratively.

 

The OLA Justice Officer will:

  1. Promote Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) in line with Catholic Social Teaching.
  2. Work with the OLA Leadership, SMA Justice Officer and OLA Communications Officer.
  3. Provide support to OLA Communities and individual Sisters in their mission to promote social and environmental justice, especially in relation to Africa.
  4. Research social and environmental justice issues, and identify appropriate responses in terms of policy advocacy and awareness-raising.
  5. In collaboration with the OLA Leadership, develop a new JPIC strategic plan for 2025-2027.
  6. In collaboration with the SMA Justice Officer, create and implement an annual action plan that progresses the goals of the OLA and SMA JPIC strategies.
  7. Write articles, develop resources and plan campaigns, in collaboration with the OLA Communications Officer, to be hosted on the OLA website and social media platforms.
  8. Engage with UN and EU human rights mechanisms, such as UN Committees and the UN Universal Periodic Review, by making submissions and drafting reports, etc.
  9. In collaboration with the OLA Communications Officer, organize events, campaigns and activities that promote the OLA JPIC priorities and enable the public to engage in advocacy, e.g. webinars, seminars and conferences.
  10. Build cooperative relationships with other civil society and faith-based groups who share our values.
  11. Undertake all administrative tasks needed to record and report on activities and financial expenditure associated with the role of OLA Justice Officer.
  12. Represent OLA at meetings promoting its aims and priorities as identified by the OLA Leadership and outlined in the JPIC strategic plan.

Skills:

  1. Professional qualification and/or equivalent experience of working in areas of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.
  2. Skilled in project management and strategic thinking.
  3. Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to write article and reports and deliver presentations.
  4. Good interpersonal skills and an ability to build strong working relationships.
  5. A capacity to work with, build and lead collaborative networks and platforms.
  6. Strong administrative skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office or equivalent. A basic understanding of social media is an advantage.
  7. An understanding and appreciation of Catholic Social Teaching.
  8. A willingness to learn about the OLA and to engage with OLA personnel.
  9. Respect for the Christian ethos and missionary commitment of the OLA.
  10. Experience of working in developing countries, especially in Africa, is an advantage.
  11. Experience of working within, or cooperating with, Church and other groups in a faith-based environment is an advantage.

 

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

 

Interested applicants should please send, via email, your CV and covering letter, with two Referees, to: Provincial Leader, OLA Sisters, Ardfoyle Convent, Ballintemple, Cork.

Email: prov@ardfoyle.com

Closing date for applications: 18 September 2023.