Title: Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator

Reports to: Policy and Campaigns Manager

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week) Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm. Some evening and weekend work required.

Location: The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working.

Office attendance days are Wednesday & Thursday

Salary: €44,000 per annum

Who we are:

At the Irish Cancer Society, we have 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 support advocacy network and advocacy team

•  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

The closing date for applications is close of business Wed 15^th May 2024 

Please note all CVs are logged through a 3rd party system for processing. 

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

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