At the Irish Cancer Society, there is a vision that by 2025, 3 out of 4 Irish cancer patients will survive their diagnosis and everyone affected by the disease will have access to world-class treatment, care and support.
What you’ll do:
You will translate the Irish Cancer Society’s campaigns, research and policy positions into grassroots activity. You will also act as a vital conduit for grassroots volunteers, giving them a voice and ensuring their lived experience is recognised by the advocacy team, and the organisation at large.
Main duties and responsibilities:
· Plan and implement year-round advocacy activities for grassroots volunteers
· Track and evaluate grassroots related projects to ensure successful completion and growth, including development of e-advocacy campaign narratives and message testing
· Leading the campaign elements of all election-centred campaign strategy to include future General and European elections, and collaborate with team on advance planning of election messaging, based on engagement with volunteers and local politicians
· Plan and manage local advocacy events and hustings
· Develop a tracking and reporting mechanism to understand political engagement with ICS positions
Volunteer empowerment:
· Grow and manage a grassroots advocacy network that will inform and influence local and national policy decisions
· Execute a comprehensive grassroots advocacy programme, based on current best practice.
· Oversee continued expansion of structured network of grassroots volunteers, based on international models, e.g. ACS CAN
· Identify and develop volunteers with personal stories related to advocacy campaigns
· Recruit, train, and develop advocacy volunteers
· Clearly communicate Irish Cancer Society positions on policy and legislation and empower volunteers to communicate legislative and policy priorities.
Networking and stakeholder engagement:
· Plan and manage regional grassroots lobbying activities, including supporting and maintaining relationships with local TDs, Senators and their staff
· Develop new relationships with healthcare workers at hospitals providing cancer care, to better inform Society of hospital-level issues
· Explore new partnership opportunities to suppor
· Accurately and effectively represent the Irish Cancer Society and its mission
· Establish and maintain collaborations and partnerships as appropriate.
Communication skills:
· Utilise social media to build support for issues and optimise reach of advocacy campaigns
· Initiate and manage online advocacy network, in support of bespoke campaigns, and continue to identify new methods for its growth
· Coordinate action alerts, and provide relevant updates through mass emails, Twitter and Facebook
· Develop reporting mechanisms and deliver frequent progress updates to both volunteers and Irish Cancer Society staff to measure and communicate local and regional advocacy impact and achievements
Qualifications/experience:
· Third level degree or higher in politics/policy/communications/community work is desirable
· In lieu of degree, relevant experience will be considered
· Minimum 3-4 years in an advocacy/political/organising role. Experience of working on campaigns is desirable
· Experience working in membership, voluntary or political organisation an asset;
Person specification:
· Passion and initiative are required
· Ability to work independently with minimum direction as well as work as a member of a team
· Demonstrated experience of motivating others to support a cause or cause-based organisation
· Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external stakeholders
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and communities
· Ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner and ensure work is accurate
· Ability to utilise available technology to perform position responsibilities
· Ability to excel at details, multi-tasking and working under pressure
· Solid independent judgement and willingness to learn
· Occasional travel may be necessary.
General:
· Follow ICS policies and guidelines
· Comply with all relevant lobbying regulations
· Perform other duties as assigned
· Regularly report to the central Advocacy team on issues facing patients at local and regional levels
· Explore opportunities to expand practical advocacy supports for patients, particularly in online space
· 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
Some of our Benefits:
· 23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)
· Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
· Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
· Flexitime
· Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months)
· Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
· Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
· Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
· Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
· Learning and Development Programmes
· Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
· Optional Flu vaccine provided