PRESS OFFICER - ADVOCACY
Organisation: Early Childhood Ireland is the leading organisation in
the early years sector. It supports 3,**Apply on the website**
childcare members, who ? in turn ? support over **Apply on the
website**,**Apply on the website** children and their families through
preschool, afterschool, and full day-care provision nationwide. Early
Childhood Ireland provides a range of professional supports and
services for its members, and campaigns for better childcare provision
in Ireland.
Job Title: PRESS OFFICER - ADVOCACY
Reports to: DIRECTOR OF POLICY, ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING
Contract: FULL-TIME, PERMANENT, SUBJECT TO PROBATION PERIOD.
JOB PURPOSE
The overall purpose of this post is to consolidate Early Childhood
Ireland?s existing position as a significant policy voice,
influencing for our sector. The specific purpose of the post is to
strengthen our public communications to gain public support for the
right to early care and education and increasing public investment in
early years provision. The post holder will be responsible for
implementing a local and national media strategy which will
consolidate Early Childhood Ireland?s position as the leading voice
of the sector. The Press Officer will also play a key role in
understanding and monitoring ongoing policy concerns, with a view to
communicating these to stakeholders and the wider public. The role is
demanding and will require the holder to be both proactive and
reactive in working to progress the key advocacy aims of Early
Childhood Ireland.
The position will contribute to the implementation of Early Childhood
Ireland?s Strategic Plan, focusing particularly on the achievement
of the organisation?s overall advocacy objectives.
The Press Officer is a member of the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns
(PAC) team, but serves as a resource and contributor throughout the
organisation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Press Officer has the following responsibilities:
_GENERAL_
* With the Director of Policy, Advocacy & Campaigning, develop a
media plan for Early Childhood Ireland?s advocacy work, which
incorporates our key policy messages.
* Plan and implement external communications initiatives and
campaigns.
* Promote the organisation, its members and the sector at relevant
external events.
* Contribute to our management of critical events or public
concerns.
_COMMUNICATIONS_
* Implement an ambitious media calendar for Early Childhood Ireland,
which incorporates monthly local and national print and broadcast
media actions.
* Establish relationships and consolidate existing ones with a wide
range of social affairs and other journalists working at local and
national media, in both print and broadcast.
* Manage the organisation?s Twitter presence in line with the
overall communications strategy
* Drive media and related activities around key events such as, but
not limited to, the annual conference and the Budget submission
process and response.
* Prepare and disseminate timely and accessible advocacy related
press statements on a proactive and reactive basis.
* Liaise with our external PR support agency for specific events and
campaigns.
* Contribute to both in-house and external publications.
* Evaluate the impact of Early Childhood Ireland?s communication
activities and identify relevant and emerging trends.
* Work alone and with other PAC team members to identify and respond
to communications opportunities.
* Identify ongoing strategic advocacy communication opportunities
for the organisation and its members.
* Develop innovative and creative ways of preparing communication
materials.
* Communicate and disseminate organisational learning into key
messages and products for a range of media (web; publications etc.)
* Keep up to date with policy and advocacy developments relevant to
early childhood care and education in Ireland, Europe and other
selected countries.
_OTHER_
* At all times undertake the role in a professional manner,
maintaining a high-quality standard of work, in accordance with the
aims, values and ethos of Early Childhood Ireland.
* Undertake any other such relevant duties as may from time to time
arise and are considered appropriate.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
All of the following requirements are essential, unless marked with a
* when they are deemed desirable attributes.
_EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS_
* A Level 8 Degree or equivalent academic qualification
* Masters level qualification in a relevant field*
_KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING_
The post-holder should have a demonstrable understanding and
experience of the following-
* The media environment in Ireland
* Relationships with online, print and broadcast journalists,
researchers and producers
* Dealing with media queries
* Pitching stories to the media
* Drafting and disseminating press releases
* Public affairs in Ireland*
_SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE_
* At least 2 years experience in a comparable role
* An established track record in writing about and positioning
complex causes
* Understanding of developing and implementing proactive and
reactive media strategies
* Ability to articulate, write effectively and produce
multi-platform content for external communications, including speeches
for events, press releases, blogs, ezines and social media
* Very strong writing skills with an ability to translate policy
content into compelling messages
* Strong technical ability, with experience of using digital
platforms
* Experience of using Photoshop or similar*
_PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND QUALITIES_
* Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
* Ability to take initiative and potential to provide leadership
when needed
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to meet tight
deadlines and multitask
* Dependable and flexible
* Creative and analytical
* Able to think strategically
* Constructive
* Good judgement
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
EMPLOYER ? EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND
LOCATION ? TALLAGHT, DUBLIN **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**/WORKING FROM
HOME GIVEN PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE
This is a full-time post reporting to the Director of Policy, Advocacy
& Campaigning. The contract is permanent and the probation period is
six months.
A salary in the range of ?**Apply on the website**,**Apply on the
website** ? ? **Apply on the website**,**Apply on the website** is
offered. The agreed salary will be commensurate with qualifications
and experience.
A pension contribution of 6% on successful completion of probation
period is provided.
There is a holiday entitlement of **Apply on the website** days.
HOURS OF WORK: **Apply on the website** hour working week. The
position will require participation in media work, meetings and events
in the evenings and at the weekends. You must be willing and able to
work outside office hours as required. The organisation operates a
flexi-time system once probation is completed successfully with time
in lieu given before then.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and letter of application via
email to Rita Dolan - **Apply on the website** before **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**.**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE** NOON ON THURSDAY, **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE** FEBRUARY The CV should be no more than three pages long.
Interviews will be held during the week of **Apply on the website**
February **Apply on the website**.
Shortlisting of candidates may apply and will be based on the Job
Description and Person Specification. Candidates may be asked for
further information or to undertake other tasks to assist in the
assessment process.
_EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND STRIVES TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
EMPLOYER._
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
