Head of Policy and Advocacy
Trócaire, Ireland

Trócaire works in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities in over 20 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to bring about lasting change. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where; people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; people have control over their own lives; those in power act for the common good.

Providing vision, leadership, oversight and management, the Head of Policy and Advocacy will deliver on the policy and advocacy agenda as outlined in the Strategic Plan. The post holder will drive an effective, co-ordinated response to policy and advocacy in close association with the Head of Outreach, Head of Communications, Head of Programmes, the Head of Humanitarian and Executive Leadership Team members primarily the Director of International, Director of Public Engagement and CEO.

The Head of Policy and Advocacy will ensure that the agenda both informs and is informed by our grass roots experience and a rapidly changing international policy context. The Head of Policy and Advocacy will ensure that Trócaire is at the forefront of key public debates in Ireland and internationally on our priority issues, and influencing relevant policy decisions. A critical part of this will be ensuring that senior management are provided with timely and accurate advice on relevant policy issues.

Reporting to the Director of Strategy, Programmes and Advocacy and working closely with the Director of Public Engagement, this is a Permanent Contract in Maynooth[1] with travel within Ireland and overseas. The incumbent will manage the Policy Advisors in the Policy and Advocacy team. Close co-ordination will continue with staff involved in international policy and/or advocacy elsewhere in the organisation (e.g. OPT-I officer) and with the programme and campaigns teams. There is also a dotted line management role with the team administrator who is shared with the campaigns team.

Safeguarding

Children Policy:

Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding people within our Programmes from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. Specific roles may require police/garda vetting.

Key Duties amp; Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and develop a strategic vision for policy amp; advocacy in collaboration with senior managers in the SPA, Public Engagement and International Directorates (ID).
• Keep an overview of key policy developments of relevance to the Strategic Plan and provide timely and accurate advice to the CEO, Deputy Director, and other Directors and managers on appropriate action.
• Ensure the development of an appropriate programme of research and analysis in line with the strategic vision and goals with relevant managers in the SPA and ID Directorates.
• Keep up to date on key emerging trends within international development.
• Maintain an overview of engagement with the Irish/EU/UK political context amp; provide leadership on strategic direction in these environments.
• Provide timely high-level commentary on priority policy areas identified in the delivery of the Strategic Plan, including for publication in relevant online and offline policy forums and publications.
• Model leadership in accordance with the culture and vision of the organisation.
• Participate in appropriate management groupings in the organisation.
• Represent the organization externally at a high level events on core priority areas, through active speaking and chairing roles, positioning Trócaire at the forefront of key policy debates relating to our priority areas, particularly in the Irish/EU/UK context.
• Act as a media spokesperson for the organisation on priority policy issues as required.
• Expand Trócaire’s policy influencing network in Irish and international contexts, through ongoing development of contacts with key stakeholders, including with Irish Government, Catholic Church, international bodies, NGO networks, partners and others as appropriate.
• Support collaboration on key advocacy issues by building relationships with organisations and networks with whom there is a shared agenda.
• Support hori

Job Rewards and Benefits