Salary: €59,953-€67,006 depending on experience 

Hours: Full-time, 35 hrs per week 

Reporting To: CEO 

Reports: 

• Communications Coordinator
• Policy and Participation Coordinator
• Digital Communications Officer 

Supported By: Senior Leadership Team 

Term: 1-year fixed term contract, renewable subject to funding and performance 

Starting Date: ASAP 

Overview

Belong To’s vision is for a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people are safe to shine and can confidently shape their own futures. We work with and for LGBTQ+ young peoples to achieve our vision and create a society where we all belong. We do this through youth work, community engagement, changing attitudes, and research. 

Our core values are those of inclusion, integrity, and respect, in an environment of honesty and openness. Our purpose is to create a welcoming, supportive, safe and fun space for LGBTQ+ young people. We are committed to collaboration and youth participation. We believe in solidarity and intersectional equality, and our work focuses on human rights and social justice. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in everything we do. 

The Director of Advocacy and Communications leads the organisations communications, public affairs, policy and research work. This individual will contribute to the effective management of the organisation as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and has overall responsibility for the development, management and implementation of Belong To’s communications, advocacy, research and campaigns to support and advance the organisation’s objectives and mission.

Staff Benefits 

Belong To provides staff members with an array of benefits and supports that increase their financial security, health, and well-being. We also support staff members to develop professionally and promote a healthy work life balance. Some of these discretionary benefits and supports include: 

• Paid time off, including 26 holiday days, and following successful completion of probation access to our discretionary sick leave, parental leave, and bereavement leave schemes • Educational assistance programmes (including paid study/ exam leave and an educational fund towards the costs of fees)
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) covering you, and your loved ones. • A death in service benefit which will pay a lump sum of x4 times your salary to your loved ones in the event of your untimely passing
• Family flexible working hours
• Hybrid Working arrangements
• Tax saver tickets and cycle to work scheme
• Staff coaching and mentoring programmes
• Staff training and development opportunities
• Staff wellness programmes
• Pension contributions (upon completion of 6-month probationary period)

Key Responsibilities and Duties 

Leadership and Management 

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, support the CEO to manage the organisation and to implement strategic and operational plans.
• Actively lead and contribute to strategic planning, work planning, budgetary planning, board reporting, funding reports and evaluation activities.
• Lead, manage and mentor the Advocacy and Communications Department, offering support and ensuring every member of the team delivers on their individual objectives as well as the Department’s strategic goals. 

Communications 

• Oversee all external communications for Belong To, ensuring that its message is consistent and engaging.
• Oversee the development and implementation Belong To’s Communications Strategy, Digital Media Strategy and Political Engagement Strategy.
• Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships.
• Grow awareness of Belong To’s work among stakeholders through multiple channels.
• Oversee the campaign process from campaign design, implementation to delivery.
• Manage annual plans, reviews and evaluations on the progress of communications.
• Be informed about the internal and wider political, economic, social, and environmental factors which influence Belong To’s communications efforts.
• Create and train a panel of spokespeople for the organisation comprised of key stakeholders.
• Provide advice to internal stakeholders about marketing and communication strategies, including positioning, marketing mix, advising on target audiences and best ways to communicate with them, ensuring organisational objectives are met.
• Support staff to clarify objectives for communications campaigns by showcasing best practice.

Advocacy

• Lead and manage Belong To’s key campaigns and election campaigns.
• Develop and implement influencing strategies with key stakeholders and decisionmakers.
• Lead Belong To’s national post-primary school campaign Stand Up Awareness Week.
• Work with the CEO to influence the government’s agenda to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people’s needs and rights are reflected in the national political agenda.
• Advocate for, and advance the health, safety, and equality of LGBTQ+ young people across a range of stakeholder groups.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Belong To’s Research Strategy, and the promotion and dissemination of research to support Belong To’s advocacy.

Branding and Event Management

• Ensure consistent implementation of brand identity guidelines and style guide.
• Produce annual reports which ensure the improvement of financial accessibility, accountability, and transparency.
• Coordinate the production of the organisation’s communications content including the annual report, newsletters and resources and publications.
• Assist with event coordination including publicity, speeches, briefing documents, guest lists, invitations and running order.

Note: This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisations aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time.

Please see the full role description and application form attached.