The JCFJ promotes reconciliation and justice through social analysis, theological reflection, education and advocacy. The Centre has focused on a range of issues in recent years, including penal policy, the housing and homelessness crisis, environmental justice, and the need for a more just and sustainable model of economic development. The Centre is an agency of the Irish Jesuit Province and is actively engaged in contributing towards the Universal Apostolic Preferences, a framework for the objectives of the global Jesuit community.

The Role

The ideal candidate will have expertise in and experience of housing issues combined with a strong commitment to promoting housing justice, excellent communication skills, and a creative approach to their work.

The Housing Policy Advocate will:

• Lead the Centre’s campaigning, policy and research work in domestic and global issues of housing justice;
• Assist the Jesuit province in its interpretation and application of housing justice, being informed by Catholic Social Teaching and the Universal Apostolic Preferences;
• Collaborate with partners to achieve significant housing policy development in Ireland;
• Research and describe how questions of housing justice impact on other burning issues; especially environmental care, economic development, and questions of penal policy;
• Convey those positions to target audiences, through a range of interventions including policy submissions, content creation, and public speaking;
• Ensure that the experiences of unhoused people in Irish society are a central part of policy discourse;
• Collaborate closely with other team members, and the wider international Jesuit network to ensure clear strategic objectives are met.

This list is not exhaustive; it is expected that the post holder will take on other related assignments as requested by the Director of the JCFJ.

Essential Criteria

• A relevant third-level postgraduate qualification (or a centrally relevant primary degree supplemented and augmented by a proven record of advocacy);
• Respect for the Jesuit ethos – and a willingness to work towards the Universal Apostolic Preferences – along with evidence of a commitment to social justice;
• Evidence of project/task management;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present publicly, evidence of professional relationship building;
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills including writing briefing documents;
• Ability to think strategically and work to deadlines;
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team;
• General computer skills (MS Office suite, Adobe packages, Canva, social media familiarity).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working directly with people who are discriminated against or excluded;
• Knowledge of international housing policy development;
• A familiarity with Irish housing policy;
• A faith tradition and an understanding of “home” from a theological perspective;
• The ability to travel to international meetings and conferences.

Terms and Conditions

Contract duration: Three-years 
Place of work: Hybrid, with in-office work based at 54-72 Gardiner Street Upper, Dublin 1. 
Hours per week: It is anticipated that this will be a full-time role comprising a working week of 35 hours. Some flexibility is possible. 
Safeguarding: The candidate must be willing to comply fully with the Irish Jesuit Safeguarding protocols. 
Starting date: Immediate. 
Salary: €40,000 (Negotiable in part, based on experience).