Advocacy Coordinator
Advocacy Coordinator
The Irish Cancer Society is recruiting for a Advocacy Coordinator
Title: | Advocacy Coordinator |
Reports to: | Policy and Campaigns Manager |
Contract type: | Permanent |
Hours: | Full-time (35 hours per week) Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm Some evening and weekend work required. |
Location:
Salary: | The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working. Office attendance days are Wednesday & Thursday €44,000 per annum |
Who we are:
At the Irish Cancer Society, we have a vision that by 2025, 3 out of 4 Irish cancer patients will survive their diagnosis and everyone affected by the disease will have access to world-class treatment, care and support.
What you’ll do:
You will translate the Irish Cancer Society’s campaigns, research and policy positions into grassroots activity. You will also act as a vital conduit for grassroots volunteers, giving them a voice and ensuring their lived experience is recognised by the advocacy team, and the organisation at large.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Plan and implement year-round advocacy activities for grassroots volunteers
- Track and evaluate grassroots related projects to ensure successful completion and growth,
including development of e-advocacy campaign narratives and message testing - Leading the campaign elements of all election-centred campaign strategy to include future General and European elections, and collaborate with team on advance planning of election
messaging, based on engagement with volunteers and local politicians - Plan and manage local advocacy events and hustings
- Develop a tracking and reporting mechanism to understand political engagement with ICS
positions
Volunteer empowerment:
- Grow and manage a grassroots advocacy network that will inform and influence local and national policy decisions
- Execute a comprehensive grassroots advocacy programme, based on current best practice.
- Oversee continued expansion of structured network of grassroots volunteers, based on
international models, e.g. ACS CAN - Identify and develop volunteers with personal stories related to advocacy campaigns
- Recruit, train, and develop advocacy volunteers
- Clearly communicate Irish Cancer Society positions on policy and legislation and empower
volunteers to communicate legislative and policy priorities.
Networking and stakeholder engagement:
- Plan and manage regional grassroots lobbying activities, including supporting and maintaining relationships with local TDs, Senators and their staff
- Develop new relationships with healthcare workers at hospitals providing cancer care, to better inform Society of hospital-level issues
- Explore new partnership opportunities to support advocacy network and advocacy team
- Accurately and effectively represent the Irish Cancer Society and its mission
- Establish and maintain collaborations and partnerships as appropriate.
Communication skills:
- Utilise social media to build support for issues and optimise reach of advocacy campaigns
- Initiate and manage online advocacy network, in support of bespoke campaigns, and continue to identify new methods for its growth
- Coordinate action alerts, and provide relevant updates through mass emails, Twitter and
Facebook - Develop reporting mechanisms and deliver frequent progress updates to both volunteers and
Irish Cancer Society staff to measure and communicate local and regional advocacy impact and achievements
Qualifications/experience:
- Third level degree or higher in politics/policy/communications/community work is desirable
- In lieu of degree, relevant experience will be considered
- Minimum 3-4 years in an advocacy/political/organising role. Experience of working on campaigns is desirable
- Experience working in membership, voluntary or political organisation an asset;
Person specification:
- Passion and initiative are required
- Ability to work independently with minimum direction as well as work as a member of a team
- Demonstrated experience of motivating others to support a cause or cause-based organisation
- Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and communities
- Ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner and ensure work is accurate
- Ability to utilise available technology to perform position responsibilities
- Ability to excel at details, multi-tasking and working under pressure
- Solid independent judgement and willingness to learn
- Occasional travel may be necessary.
General:
- Follow ICS policies and guidelines
- Comply with all relevant lobbying regulations
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Regularly report to the central Advocacy team on issues facing patients at local and regional levels
- Explore opportunities to expand practical advocacy supports for patients, particularly in online
space - The Society operates a no-smoking policy and the post holder must not smoke in the office or
when on Society business outside the office - All employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety and to
adhere to fire regulations - This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Society at any time after discussion with the post holder
Some of our Benefits:
- 23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)
- Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
- Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
- Flexitime
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months)
- Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
- Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
- Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
- Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
- Learning and Development Programmes
- Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Optional Flu vaccine provided