About us

More than half the world lives in poverty. Christian Aid Ireland aims to put a stop to that. We campaign against the inequalities and structures that keep people poor and we work with local organisations to give people strength to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion. If you are as determined as we are to end poverty and injustice across the world, work with us to make change happen.

About the role

Title: Advocacy & Policy Officer
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 per week
Based: Dublin
Salary: €43,742 per year

The essential purpose of this role is to contribute to deepening the impact and effectiveness of Christian Aid’s policy and advocacy work in Ireland in our key areas of focus. It’s an exciting opportunity to develop and support our work in relation to economic justice, climate justice, business and human rights, tackling violence & building peace, and specific country contexts including Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and Colombia.

The person will also represent Christian Aid Ireland and its policy positions towards political targets and within key strategic alliances. It will therefore require good political nous with up to the minute monitoring and analysis to ensure Christian Aid Ireland is well informed about the changing political context in the short and long term.

The purpose of this role is also to identify and respond to policy debates and to identify opportunities where there might be gaps in Christian Aid policy hindering our ability to advocate effectively. The role therefore will be expected to have the ability to contribute to the development of relevant policy positions, and a good understanding of the broader issues and current debates in international development, climate change and economic justice.

The role will support and be managed by the Head of Advocacy and Policy as the second person within a two-person advocacy and policy team. The post-holder will also be a member of the Public Policy and Campaigns (PPC) team, and both its Advocacy and Policy teams, both based in London. On occasion, and as determined by the Head of Advocacy and Policy, they will support members of the Programme Development Unit in raising advocacy issues with Irish policy makers. The post will also have a role in ensuring greater coherence in our advocacy work across all teams in Christian Aid Ireland, in particular working closely with the Media and Communications team to ensure maximum impact and public engagement.

About you

The following is essential:

  • Graduate qualification in political science, development studies, law or other relevant social science, or relevant experience in lieu of academic qualification
  • Proven track record and understanding of political advocacy and influencing
  • Strong understanding of Irish policymaking processes, how change happens, and how the Houses of the Oireachtas and other key institutions work
  • Familiarity with the politics of international development, global political economy and/or rights-based approaches.
  • Good understanding of the broader issues and current debates in international development, climate change and economic justice
  • Experience of delivering impact in advocacy, campaigning or communications in an NGO, public policy position or similar environment
  • Ability to communicate complex issues simply, both verbally and in writing.
  • Proven experience of building constructive working relationships with diverse stakeholders, and of working in networks or coalitions
  • Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work effectively.
  • Proven writing and analytical skills with experience of writing policy briefs and reports, and articles for media
  • Good quantitative and qualitative analysis skills
  • Ability to deal sensitively and discreetly with people and information
  • Experience of successful engagement with the media to convey and influence opinion and policy positions
  • Experience of delivering impact in cross-organisation and external coalitions
  • Experience of public speaking to a variety of specialist and general audiences including the media.

And the following is desirable:

  • Irish language skills
  • Previous experience within national government or multilateral institutions e.g. Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann, EU institutions, United Nations
  • Experience in specific areas relevant to Christian Aid Ireland’s broader policy priorities, such as: business & human rights, tax justice, debt, climate finance.

This vacancy is archived.

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