Position: Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Hours: Full -time (37 hours per week)
Start date: ASAP
Duration: 1 year
Reports to: Policy and Advocacy Manager
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7.
[Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to Government restrictions, the successful candidate may also be required to work remotely.]
1. Position summary
This position sits in the policy and research unit. The role has overall responsibility for shaping and delivering Mental Health Reform (MHR)’s political advocacy agenda, delivering MHR’s policy work in the area of mental health legalisation/international treaties, producing high quality submissions, developing and ensuring strong stakeholder engagement, and assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals.
2. About Mental Health Reform:
Mental Health Reform is the national coalition driving reform of Ireland’s mental health services and supports. Our vision is of an Ireland where everyone can access the support that they need in their community to achieve their best possible mental health. With more than 75 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a coordinated voice to government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues. https://mentalhealthreform.ie/
3. Main responsibilities
- a) Developing and implementing MHR’s policy reform agenda (legislation/international conventions)
Lead on the preparation of policy submission, reports, briefings in the assigned policy area
Maintain watching briefs on own policy areas, liaising with key stakeholders in order to identify, react and participate in significant opportunities for influence as they arise
Work on request with the communications team to identify, secure and act on opportunities to communicate MHR policy positions through writing articles, blogs, online debate and events etc
Ensure policy positions are coherent with the views and experiences of mental health service users and family members through regular consultations
Proactively monitor relevant developments in Irish and international mental health policy, practice and law
Conduct regular consultation with MHR’s member organisations, advisory groups and international and national experts - b) Building political support for MHR’s reform agenda
Develop and implement political advocacy strategies and identify key influencing targets with a view to influencing Mental Health policy and amplifying Mental Health Reforms voice and work
Plan and organise work to build MHR’s credibility, influence and relationships with members of the Oireachtas and political advisers, in support Mental Health Reforms priority issues
Monitor opportunities within the Oireachtas for MHR to advance its agenda – debates, committee meetings, consultations etc. Advise on and coordinate responses to these opportunities in collaboration with colleagues as appropriate
Develop and implement a monitoring system to oversee MHRs relationships and interactions with key Oireachtas stakeholder (TDs, Senators, committees, staff etc) to enable reporting and evaluation.
Work with the communications and engagement team to develop public facing campaigns (eg pre-budget campaign)
Oversee the production of high quality policy submissions, briefings etc
Organise events as appropriate - c) Developing and strengthening partnerships
Develop and maintain a network of contacts to inform and increase the impact of our work
Consult regularly with members, people with lived experiences, peer organisations, allies and other relevant actors in order to stay current with trends and to ensure that MHR’s research, policy and advocacy agendas are responsive to these trends
Represent MHR in cross-departmental consultative forums and at public events - d) Assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals
Work within the framework of the overall objectives and the policies and practices of the MHR
Ensure all work undertaken complies with data protection and GDPR rules
Contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, diversity, individual rights and choice in all aspects of work
Update MHR’s contacts database
Carry out other administrative duties as required
Lead, manage and coach staff within the MHR performance management system
Supervise staff, interns and/or volunteers as required
Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the CEO
Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time by the CEO
Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the CEO or Health & Safety Representative
4. The person
Skills, knowledge and experience required:
A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline
Satisfactory relevant experience in a senior advocacy or policy role
Adept at building strategic partnerships
Knowledge of advocacy campaigning and methods of influencing change
Proven experience of political advocacy including understanding of the political system and policy making in Ireland and at European level
Ability to translate policy and research messages for broad dissemination
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage tight deadlines
Fluent speaker and writer of English
Proven exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
Desirable:
Experience in and familiarity with community and voluntary sector in Ireland
Proven knowledge of mental health policy in Ireland
Benefits:
The salary range for Coordinators is €40,000 – €50,000 and will be commensurate with skills and experience
Mental Health Reform operates the following benefits for its employees:
Defined contribution pension scheme
Annual leave 24 days, exclusive of public holidays, 1 company day and 1 wellbeing day per year
Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Additional notes;
This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisations aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time.
This is a one year position with the possibility of extending. Flexibility is required regarding hours as some weekend and evening work will be necessary. Travel and out of office work will also be a feature of the role.
Mental Health Reform is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
All documentation received by Mental Health Reform will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; 2018). The information will only be used by Mental Health Reform in the processing of job applications and for ongoing administrative purposes with job candidates.
Application process:
Please email your CV and cover letter to info@mentalhealthreform.ie
Requests for additional information can be sent to info@mentalhealthreform.ie.
Closing date for the submission of applications is Wednesday, May 26th at 5:00 PM
