POLICY OFFICER
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: POLICY OFFICER
Reports to: DIRECTOR OF POLICY, ADVOCACY & CAMPAIGNING
Contract: FULL-TIME, PERMANENT, SUBJECT TO PROBATION PERIOD.
PURPOSE
The Policy Officer postholder contributes to the achievement of Early
Childhood Ireland?s goal to be a strong and effective advocate for
early years and school-age care in Ireland. The Policy Officer
develops policy positions and briefings and supports the
organisation?s public affairs role in influencing public policy on
these matters, in Ireland and internationally, through effective
legislative scrutiny and analysis, as well as engagement with members
and policy makers.
SCOPE
The Policy Officer will report to the Policy and Research Manager. The
post holder will develop and maintain positive relationships with
colleagues, members and contacts in the Oireachtas, EU institutions
and other relevant stakeholder bodies and agencies.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
_LEGISLATIVE SCRUTINY_
* Monitor and analyse legislative and political developments in
relation to early childhood education and care and school-age care in
Ireland and beyond.
* Recommend courses of action and implement agreed responses.
* Devise Parliamentary Questions when appropriate and track these
and other relevant legislative developments in the Oireachtas, the
European Parliament and elsewhere.
* Work with colleagues and stakeholders from other relevant
organisations and agencies to enhance Early Childhood Ireland?s work
in the policy and public affairs area.
* Contribute to publications, events and other initiatives.
_INFLUENCING POLICY_
* Develop and contribute to Early Childhood Ireland?s positions,
submissions and policy responses.
* Edit and produce the monthly _Advocacy in Action_ ezine, to ensure
that the organisation?s advocacy work is visible to members and
decision makers.
* Sustain Early Childhood Ireland?s Member Policy & Implementation
Panel and facilitate the participation of our members in the scrutiny
of positions on public policy and support their participation on
policy forums.
* Contribute to the development of Early Childhood Ireland?s work
on public policy and take responsibility for key projects in the
public affairs area.
* Monitor, analyse and report on the external environment, in
Ireland and the EU, regarding early childhood education and care.
* Monitor and record Early Childhood Ireland?s contacts with
Designated Public Officials.
* Where appropriate, represent the organisation externally and
advocate for our positions, in keeping with Early Childhood
Ireland?s strategy.
* Other tasks and duties as requested from time to time.
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_
* The Irish and/or EU policy making processes
* Government and politics
* Early childhood care and education*
_SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE_
* Must have a minimum of two years? experience in a similar role
engaging in evidence-based public policy and/or advocacy work
* Excellent writing skills that can be evidenced
* Good verbal communications and presentation skills
* Ability to identify and plan key areas of work
* Proven experience in establishing priorities and managing a
complex workload to meet tight deadlines.
* Ability to work credibly and collaboratively with staff across the
organisation, with our members, with key decision makers, and with
external personnel
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team in pursuit of common
goals, as well as to work independently
_PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND QUALITIES_
* Flexible and responsive to change
* Able to think strategically and creatively
* Constructive
* Good judgement
* A personal interest in politics and government
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This is a full-time post reporting to the Policy and Research Manager.
The contract is permanent, and the probationary period is six months.
EMPLOYER ? EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND
LOCATION ? TALLAGHT, DUBLIN **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**/WORKING FROM
HOME GIVEN PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE
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
