Job Details: Irish Cancer Society: Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator


Irish Future
Talbot Street
Dublin 1
irishfuture.ie
Irish Cancer Society: Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator
TITLE: GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

REPORTS TO: Policy and Public Affairs Manager
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent contract
HOURS: Full-time (**Apply on the website** hours per week). Some
evening and weekend work required.
LOCATION: Based in Dublin, with opportunities for part-time remote
working
SALARY: Available on request

_* Note: in light of the COVID-**Apply on the website** pandemic and
restrictions, this role will be full-time home-based while public
health restrictions remain in place_

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY:

The Irish Cancer Society is the country?s leading cancer advocacy
organisation. We work at all levels of Government and with a wide
range of stakeholders to support evidence-based policy and legislation
that improves the lives of people living with or at risk of cancer.

Cancer services in Ireland have the potential to be world class. If
this potential were to become a reality, it would mean better survival
rates, positive experiences and comprehensive support for the **Apply
on the website**,**Apply on the website** people diagnosed with cancer
every year and the **Apply on the website**,**Apply on the website**
cancer survivors living in Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society?s
Advocacy department is driven by this belief that better is possible
and we are focused on delivering legislation, policy and regulation,
which truly puts cancer patients at its heart.

The role of the Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator is to mobilise and
listen to local advocates and develop campaigns that encourage elected
officials and candidates to make cancer a top priority.

The Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator fosters and cultivates
relationships with cancer patients and their families, Irish Cancer
Society supporters, cancer support centres, health care professionals,
fundraisers, Hospital Groups, elected representatives, community-based
organisations and the general public, with the aim of driving
coordinated action on issues of shared importance.

Specifically, this position will work to grow the grassroots advocacy
community for the Irish Cancer Society and mobilise our network of
advocacy supporters and volunteers so that the experiences of cancer
patients are heard at local and national level and are the driving
force behind better cancer services for all.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT:

* 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 practices. Use Direct Action Organising best practices
* 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. Maintain
relationships with grassroots volunteers and grasstops advocates
* Clearly communicate Irish Cancer Society positions on policy and
legislation and empower volunteers to communicate legislative and
policy priorities

CAMPAIGNING:

* Plan and implement year-round advocacy activities for grassroots
volunteers and utilise fundraising initiatives such as Relay for Life,
Daffodil Day and Cups Against Cancer
* 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, through engagement

NETWORKING AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:

* Plan and manage regional grassroots lobbying activities, including
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

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

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

* Third level degree or higher in politics/law/communications
(desirable)
* Minimum **Apply on the website** years in an
advocacy/political/organising role. Campaigning experience desirable
* Must have a good understanding of the grassroots structure of
political parties

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 work with diverse groups of people with sensitivity and
tact
* Ability to excel at details, multi-tasking and working under
pressure
* Solid independent judgement and willingness to learn
* Strong written, oral, interpersonal and computer skills required
* Flexibility required as some travel is necessary, including
overnights

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send
curriculum vitae and cover letter including salary expectation to:
Nicola Cosgrove, HR Department Administrator, Irish Cancer Society,
**Apply on the website**/**Apply on the website** Northumberland Rd.,
Dublin 4. Email: **Apply on the website**

The closing date for applications is 8th August, **Apply on the
website**.

_THE IRISH CANCER SOCIETY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. WE KNOW THAT THE MORE INCLUSIVE WE ARE,
THE BETTER OUR WORK WILL BE._

WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AGENCIES
TITLE: GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

REPORTS TO: Policy and Public Affairs Manager
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent contract
HOURS: Full-time (**Apply on the website** hours per week). Some
evening and weekend work required.
LOCATION: Based in Dublin, with opportunities for part-time remote
working
SALARY: Available on request

_* Note: in light of the COVID-**Apply on the website** pandemic and
restrictions, this role will be full-time home-based while public
health restrictions remain in place_

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY:

The Irish Cancer Society is the country?s leading cancer advocacy
organisation. We work at all levels of Government and with a wide
range of stakeholders to support evidence-based policy and legislation
that improves the lives of people living with or at risk of cancer.

Cancer services in Ireland have the potential to be world class. If
this potential were to become a reality, it would mean better survival
rates, positive experiences and comprehensive support for the **Apply
on the website**,**Apply on the website** people diagnosed with cancer
every year and the **Apply on the website**,**Apply on the website**
cancer survivors living in Ireland. The Irish Cancer Society?s
Advocacy department is driven by this belief that better is possible
and we are focused on delivering legislation, policy and regulation,
which truly puts cancer patients at its heart.

The role of the Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator is to mobilise and
listen to local advocates and develop campaigns that encourage elected
officials and candidates to make cancer a top priority.

The Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator fosters and cultivates
relationships with cancer patients and their families, Irish Cancer
Society supporters, cancer support centres, health care professionals,
fundraisers, Hospital Groups, elected representatives, community-based
organisations and the general public, with the aim of driving
coordinated action on issues of shared importance.

Specifically, this position will work to grow the grassroots advocacy
community for the Irish Cancer Society and mobilise our network of
advocacy supporters and volunteers so that the experiences of cancer
patients are heard at local and national level and are the driving
force behind better cancer services for all.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT:

* 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 practices. Use Direct Action Organising best practices
* 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. Maintain
relationships with grassroots volunteers and grasstops advocates
* Clearly communicate Irish Cancer Society positions on policy and
legislation and empower volunteers to communicate legislative and
policy priorities

CAMPAIGNING:

* Plan and implement year-round advocacy activities for grassroots
volunteers and utilise fundraising initiatives such as Relay for Life,
Daffodil Day and Cups Against Cancer
* 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, through engagement

NETWORKING AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:

* Plan and manage regional grassroots lobbying activities, including
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

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

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

* Third level degree or higher in politics/law/communications
(desirable)
* Minimum **Apply on the website** years in an
advocacy/political/organising role. Campaigning experience desirable
* Must have a good understanding of the grassroots structure of
political parties

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 work with diverse groups of people with sensitivity and
tact
* Ability to excel at details, multi-tasking and working under
pressure
* Solid independent judgement and willingness to learn
* Strong written, oral, interpersonal and computer skills required
* Flexibility required as some travel is necessary, including
overnights

HOW TO APPLY:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send
curriculum vitae and cover letter including salary expectation to:
Nicola Cosgrove, HR Department Administrator, Irish Cancer Society,
**Apply on the website**/**Apply on the website** Northumberland Rd.,
Dublin 4. Email: **Apply on the website**

The closing date for applications is 8th August, **Apply on the
website**.

_THE IRISH CANCER SOCIETY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE
ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. WE KNOW THAT THE MORE INCLUSIVE WE ARE,
THE BETTER OUR WORK WILL BE._

WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AGENCIES


We need : English (Good)

Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health

Apply for this Job Offer
Name: (*) 
Email: (*) 
Phone: (*) 
Please Provide a Cover in the English Language.
CV: (*) 
Are you human ?
Share on your Facebook Page: