About Simon Communities of Ireland

The Simon Communities of Ireland is the Federation of independent Simon Communities based in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Midlands, Mid-West, Northwest and the Southeast regions of Ireland responding to local need. The Simon Communities of Ireland is the national office providing support in the areas of policy, national campaigns, research, communications and fundraising.

The Simon Communities share common values and ethos in tackling homelessness and, informed by our grassroots services, we campaign for more effective policies and legislation regionally, nationally and at European level. The Simon Communities have a shared vision of a society without homelessness and driving positive change in policy through developing innovative research, advocacy, collaboration and communications.

The Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI) contributes to the mission of the Simon Communities of ending homelessness through;

-         Developing national policy, research and campaigning activities in the areas of housing, homelessness, poverty and social inclusion

-         Providing a national spokesperson, developing national messaging and coordinating of collective communication processes

-         Delivering national fundraising initiatives  

The board of SCI is made up of representatives from the regional communities, supported by board appointed independent members. The board is responsible for the strategic direction of SCI. The board puts in place sub committees to support the Executive Director to develop and deliver on the national policy, campaigns, research, communications and fundraising activities in line with SCIs strategic plan

About the role

Job title: Executive Director

Location: Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI), Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7

Role purpose: To lead the Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI)

Reports to: Chairperson, SCI

Duration: Full time permanent

The Executive Director (ED) leads SCI in meeting its strategic intent as defined and agreed by the Board.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Strategic Leadership

· Provide the leadership, direction and change management to implement the objectives of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and strategic direction beyond.

·  Work closely with the Chair and Board members to ensure the organisation fulfils its governance and regulatory requirements.

·  Ensure that the Board receive adequate and timely documentation to enable appropriate consideration of matters on the agenda and effective decision making.

· Attend Board Meetings (as required).

· Keep the Board Committees appraised of relevant key considerations of the organisation's work.

· Lead and develop the organisation culture focusing on the commitment to ending homelessness.

· Ensure the culture in Simon Communities of Ireland is one that values collaboration and respect and that SCI is seen as an employer of choice in the homelessness sector.

· Manage all resources effectively; ensuring all regulatory reporting, legislative and governance requirements are met.

· Support other Simon Communities in relation to information/data collection, submissions, and stakeholder meetings.

· Represent the Simon Communities at national and international fora such as NHAC and FEANTSA.

· Manage a rolling schedule of meetings with key national policy stakeholders.

· Work with alliances of NGOs to build support for the measures needed to tackle homelessness.

· Engage in collaborative partnerships as required.

Policy

· Work collaboratively with the local Simon Communities to develop, coordinate, implement, and communicate the national policy and campaigning agenda in relation to all aspects of homelessness, enabling the organisation and communities to communicate common campaign messages and to exert maximum influence.

· Lead the development of proposals for change in public policy that will impact positively on people who are homeless and contribute to preventing homelessness, ending long-term homelessness and rough-sleeping.

· Lead the identification of national strategic priorities for the national budget and public policy development.

· Lead in the development of new policy and legislative positions and papers liaising with legal advisors and other specialists to translate policy positions into concrete legislative proposals.

· Work closely with the government, decision-makers and policymakers to highlight homelessness, the causes and potential solutions.

· Actively campaign to have solutions reflected in government policy.

National Campaigns

·      Lead the coordination and implementation of national Simon Communities campaigns for example, Simon Week.

·      Lead the development and delivery of national events and activities.

·      Coordinate national advertising and media plan for such campaigns, as required.

·      Work with the local communities to manage sponsor relationships, as required.

·      Support the local Simon Communities in relation to campaigning activities as required/appropriate.

Research

· Establish an annual Research plan in line with the SCI Strategy reporting regularly on progress.

· Engage with the regional Simon Communities to strengthen and influence campaigning work through research and evidence-based approaches.

· Ensure SCI engages in research and analysis on relevant public policy, national and international policy, service developments relating to homelessness and provide advice to the Board and regional Simon Communities on these matters.

· Engage in purposeful research supporting our positions and exploring new trends/issues, for example Locked Out Reports, Health Snapshot Studies, Homelessness Prevention.

· Monitor and analyse new research and trends.

· Support the Simon Communities in relation to research as appropriate.

Communications

·      Establish an annual communications plan and report progress regularly to the Board.

·      Manage brand awareness and development, act as a guardian of the national SCI brand, and protect brand reputation.

·      Work to solidify the SCI brand identity as the lead agency vindicating rights of homeless people.

·      Act as National Spokesperson speaking on behalf of the Simon Communities at national policy, research, messaging, communications and campaigns activities.

·      Liaise with the Communities to develop and deliver media messaging and positioning through relevant fora and processes.

·      Develop and maintain relationships with members of the media.

·      Manage and maximise communications and public relations activities/events effectively.

·      Prepare media statements and briefings, supporting the strategic goals of SCI.

·      Agree, review annually and advance national data collection and collation to support national policy and communications ensuring governance and data protection measures are in place.

·      Maximize potential within new technologies and social networking communications opportunities.

·      Ensure the efficient management of SCI's online presence, simon.ie, and other social media platforms.

·      Liaise with a range of target audiences including media, general public, corporate sponsors etc.

·      Support the Simon Communities in relation to communications/PR as required/appropriate.

·      Coordinate regular collective messaging processes.

·      Ensure that all those with responsibility for public messaging are aware of messaging and communication guidelines.

·      Ensure that national publications produced meet the highest possible standards, publications include the Annual Report, briefing documents and other research reports.

Fundraising

• Ensure an annual national fundraising plan is developed and implemented and report progress regularly to the Board.
• Manage the National Fundraising Function in line with the structures, targets and approach agreed with the Board.
• Deliver on the national fundraising strategy for the organisation including the national delivery of corporate partnerships, trust and foundation opportunities and other national opportunities in line with the agreed focus areas of the Board.
• Coordinate and communicate on national fundraising matters, opportunities and challenges working with the funding committee, and board.

Resource Management  

·      Prepare a proposed annual budget for agreement by the Board, ensuring congruence between goals and resources of SCI.

·      Provide quarterly financial reports to the Board (or more frequently as required).

·      Report to and attend Finance and Audit Committee Meetings.

·      Develop/install and maintain appropriate and robust financial and risk management systems, policies and procedures.

·      Build and maintain good management information systems.

·      Coordinating bookkeeping/management accounts and cyclical review of main contractors.

·      Liaising with auditors in relation to audit, financial statements, and Companies Registration Office.

·      Ensure compliance with legal, contractual and regulatory requirements for the Simon Communities of Ireland, including submission of annual returns to ABHRA, Charities Regulator, funder reports.

·      Manage and report on risk and risk management procedures.

Human Resources

·      Establish an annual HR plan and report progress to the SCI HR and Nominations Subcommittee.

·      Foster a team-based, delivery-oriented culture that gives expression to the values espoused in its Strategic Plan.

·      Evolve a culture of staff development, learning, and engagement.

·      Ensure work plan, supervision and performance review structures in place.

·      Install and maintain appropriate HR management system.

Stakeholder Management Representation

·      Coordinate, implement and communicate with national government departments and government agencies on policy, legislation and regulation, as it impacts the homelessness sector in Ireland, in line with policy positions of SCI as agreed by the Board.

·      Pro-actively build excellent relationships with a diverse range of stakeholder groups at all levels across the public and private sectors.

·      Identify, develop and maintain a broad range of collaborative relationships across the homelessness and health sector in Ireland.

·      An effective communicator with internal and external audiences is the public face of SCI.

·      Partner with and influence national and international bodies that shape the future of tackling homelessness.

This Job Description will be reviewed periodically and updated in line with needs of the work required to address homelessness in Ireland as determined by the Board of Directors.

About You

Personal Qualities

·      Share the values and ethos of The Simon Community.

·      Excellent leadership skills with a proven ability to successfully lead and empower teams.

·      Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by strong communication and management abilities.

·      Ability to command the confidence and respect of the SCI team, the eight Simon Communities and other stakeholders.

·      Capable of creating and communicating strong vision and forming common purpose, while mobilising the energies of a federation of diverse and complex organisations.

·      Proven adaptability to respond appropriately to changing external conditions.

·      Pragmatism and the ability to relate effectively at all levels.

·      Creative and innovative approach to problem-solving.

Terms and Benefits

·      Full time (35 hours per week)

·      Permanent role

·      Salary negotiable

·      25 days annual leave

·      5% matched pension contribution

How to Apply

The recruitment process is being managed exclusively on behalf of Simon Communities of Ireland by Mantra Strategy.  Informal enquiries are welcomed by Suzanne on +353 86 6001039.

 The closing date for applications is 4^th October 2024

Please submit your CV and cover letter to suzanne@mantrastrategy.ie

Full Role Description and schedule of delegated authorities available by emailing suzanne@mantrastrategy.ie

ED'S DELEGATED AUTHORITIES