Advocacy Officer - Irish Cancer Society

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Overall Responsibility:

To support the work of the Advocacy Department in the Irish Cancer Society.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to meet the key advocacy targets of the Society;
• Supporting the development of new relationships and growth of existing relationships with politicians, public officials and other stakeholders across a range of policy areas, including health, social protection and employment;
• Identifying and expanding key relationships with partners, volunteers and patients/survivors to enhance the Society’s advocacy impact and build support for advocacy campaigns;
• Delivering innovative advocacy campaigns with the goal of ensuring the adoption of Irish Cancer Society policy positions and recommendations. Work across various platforms and with a range of partners to achieve this;
• Providing support to the Oireachtas Cross-Party Group on Cancer by preparing briefings and agenda and arranging for speakers
• Drafting key influencing documents, such as pre-Budget submissions
• Identifying opportunities for legislative change to support cancer patients and survivors, and to prevent incidence of cancer
• Developing and managing projects which emphasise the voice of the cancer patient and survivors in the delivery of national cancer policy and cancer services;
• Ensuring the Society’s compliance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 and Lobbying Code of Conduct
• Represent the Society at events, on external groups and in engagement with relevant alliances
• Undertaking detailed desktop research to provide strong evidence for advocacy asks and campaigns
• Conducting research, analysis and position paper writing on key issues relevant to Advocacy Department targets, as requested;
• Keeping abreast of relevant legislation, Dail debates, Oireachtas Committee debates and the national and international cancer and health policy agenda as it impacts on the Society, and keeping the Policy and Public Affairs Manager and wider advocacy team fully briefed on key political developments relevant to targets;
• Working closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator to support grassroots advocacy campaigns
• Working with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Policy Officer to support key ICS relationships with international and European partners, MEPs and the European Commission;
• Supporting the Advocacy team’s response to individual advocacy queries, as required

General

• 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience and Qualifications

• Third level degree or higher in politics, health/social policy, public policy, economics, law or communications;
• In lieu of degree, additional relevant work experience will be considered
• Experience of public affairs in Ireland or internationally;
• Experience in the effective delivery of advocacy or political campaigns;
• Knowledge and/or experience of Irish politics, government and administration is desirable;
• Experience in research, report and position paper writing;
• Experience of working in a membership or voluntary organisation an asset;

The Irish Cancer Society measures experience by the quality of the experience gained, rather than number of years worked. 

Person Specification

• Ability to find and assimilate information quickly and identify key issues/desktop research;
• Ability to work in a team in a fast-moving environment;
• Excellent organisational, administration and communication skills;
• Excellent PC skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Zoom;
• Proactive and flexible approach;
• High level of attention to detail.

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, 43/45 Northumberland Rd., Dublin 4. Email: Loading...

The closing date for applications is 7th March, 2021.

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

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