Volunteer Policy Intern

The HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) is currently looking for a volunteer policy intern to join our team.

About the organisation

HALC is a community legal centre that provides free legal services to people affected by, and those most at risk of, HIV and/or hepatitis-related legal matters. HALC is the only specialist legal centre of its kind in Australia.

We deal with a range of HIV and/or hepatitis related legal issues in areas of law like Immigration, Criminal, Employment, Discrimination and Wills and Estates. HALC also delivers community legal education and undertakes advocacy and law reform on HIV and hepatitis-related legal issues.

Position Description

The policy intern will undertake a variety of daily tasks that support HALC’s project and policy work, including but not limited to:

• Legal research and writing on HIV-related topics, like disclosure, migration, criminal and public health law;
• Supporting HALC staff to write submissions, reports, and other advocacy papers;
• Updating factsheets and guides to HIV and the law;
• Producing and updating country information sheets in support of clients’ protection visa applications; and
• Attending meetings with stakeholders.

Essential criteria:

• Sensitivity to people affected by HIV and/or hepatitis;
• Sensitivity towards clients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, sex workers, people who use drugs and persons with disabilities;
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and proactively;
• Good verbal communication skills and phone manner;
• Good written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills;
• Ability to work in a small team/open office environment.

We request you commit to at least one day per week for a period of at least four months, so you can be present for as much of the duration of the projects you will be working on as possible. Flexibility around university commitments and potential remote work can be arranged.

Your work will be supervised by our Strategic Policy Lawyer, Bethany Rodgers.

If you are available more than one day per week and interested in also working on client-related matters, this may be arranged.

Please send in your brief resume, a short writing sample (maximum two pages) and cover letter indicating the specific days you will be able to work, to Bethany at beth@halc.org.au.

The role is projected to commence in February 2025.