You’ll have experience working in a policy or public affairs environment and be passionate about influencing change. You’ll be insightful and up to date on developments in the public policy environment, ideally with knowledge of the suicide prevention field. Highly organised and a good communicator, with resilience and the ability to translate insights to meaningful messages, to contribute energy and enthusiasm to best influence our policy agenda and strategy.
Your role will be a challenging and rewarding one; You’ll be warm, engaging and passionate, with motivational strengths which will enable you to lead and motivate your team and inspire our wider colleagues across Samaritans, external stakeholders, and people who want to stand alongside in pushing for change. You’ll play a key role in ensuring we influence with one voice and help drive change to support suicide prevention.
This is a brilliant time to join Samaritans Ireland, as you support us to make a positive impact and deliver our strategic and operational priorities.
Samaritans is one of the best known and respected charities in Ireland and the UK. Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide – with your help we can make change that saves lives. Samaritans is needed more than ever. If you want to make a real difference to people’s lives – this is the role for you.
The Team
The Samaritans Ireland team includes specialists within Policy, Safeguarding, Finance and Communications. The team is friendly, collaborative and supportive. This role will work closely with colleagues within the UK central charity, including the External Engagement Department, particularly colleagues in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and the Policy, Public Affairs, Campaigns and Research staff in Samaritans Central Charity (England).
The Role
The Policy and Advocacy Officer supports the delivery of the Samaritans Ireland strategy and the work of the Executive Director for Ireland to reduce suicides in Ireland by raising awareness of our work and effectively influencing policy and practice at national and local levels.
You will understand and contribute to, the importance of suicide prevention within wider mental and public health policy and practice, as well as the role of other Government functions in suicide prevention.
In this critical role based in Ireland, you’ll develop and implement Samaritans Ireland’s policy, research and influencing agenda, and maintain a strong public affairs presence for Samaritans in Ireland. Well organised and passionate about driving forward our cause, you’ll plan and organise policy, advocacy, and research work by overseeing and delivering objectives, key results, action plans, and generating new opportunities for influence.
Outline of this great opportunity;
1. 12 month fixed term contract initially
2. €38,000 - €43,000 per annum
3. Full time, 35 hours per week with flexible working practices
4. Part time option considered (28 hours minimum)
5. Hybrid working – Linked to our central office (Dublin), with blended working between the office and home to meet your needs
6. Samaritans will provide you with use of a laptop and mobile phone.
7. Occasional attendance at out of hours meetings
A full outline of the role available in the Job description here.