Purpose

• To identify need and undertake responsibility for the development of advocacy, advice, and information appropriate to blind and visually impaired clients, and families of children with autism.
• Influence policy and decision makers.
• Building strategic partnerships and alliances.
• Raise public awareness on our clients’ rights and entitlements, positioning the charity as a thought leader.
• To provide information, support, and advice to clients about their rights, empowering them to voice their own views or to act on their behalf.
• Encourage others to get involved and the amplify the work of the charity.
• Act as spokesperson at events and to media.

Key responsibilities, to include but not limited to:

• To provide one to one and group advocacy to clients.
• To establish and maintain strategic relationships with key partner organisations within the sector.
• To represent the organisation regionally and nationally to increase awareness around advocacy entitlements for clients and raise the profile of issues.
• To advocate to local authorities, government and public sector bodies in relation to policies, planning, and legislation.
• To act as spokesperson for advocacy issues to represent the charity’s and clients’ opinions.
• To undertake and develop advocacy training and information for clients and third parties.
• Capture monthly, quarterly and annual reports on activity and issues under advocacy and client supports.
• Support the CCC subcommittee meetings as secretary and follow up actions and work plan updates.
• Support client communications and social media updates under guidance of the Communications team.
• Undertake research and analysis including preparing position papers for IGDB on advocacy priorities in consultation with clients and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate and facilitate policy discussions, expert meetings and workshops in progressing IGDB’s advocacy agenda
• Provide timely updates and advice to stakeholders and the management team on advocacy issues or other issues that may arise.
• Respond to enquiries from clients and stakeholders in a timely manner.
• To support relationship building with corporate fundraising team.

In addition to these key accountabilities, you may also have ownership for one or more key processes that will be communicated to you via your manager and/or the Performance Management framework.

Values and Behaviours 

IGDB places great emphasis on how people get the job done. For example, we need people who are passionate about enabling people who are vision-impaired and families of children with autism to lead better lives and become more mobile and independent. Employees are expected to achieve these standards to fully meet the expectations of their role.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of the advocacy space particularly in the not for profit sector.
• Relevant degree qualification in the related field of advocacy, communications, along with relevant work experience (ideally at least three years) in advocacy and /or communications.
• Evidence of continued professional development to enhance knowledge and experience relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate an ability to support the development and delivery of communication plans.
• Proven track record for consistently meeting and exceeding goals and delivering a superior level of job performance.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Time management and experience multi-tasking across concurrent projects.
• High level communication skills and professional command of written and spoken English.
• Experience with writing articles and position papers and delivering media interviews.
• Ability to achieve results working collaboratively and independently.
• Strong ability to plan and coordinate activities effectively with clients, team members and stakeholders

    Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an area of disability and/or health promotion.
• Administration experience delivering excellent client service.

Special Conditions

• Full clean driving licence essential.
• Must be eligible to work in Ireland and EU.
• Subject to full Garda vetting.