Head of Policy

The Head of Policy will support with carrying out the statutory duties to promote the rights and welfare of children. 

About your new employer

Sigmar is recruiting for a human rights institution that promotes the rights and welfare of young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland. Our client deals with complaints made by or for children and young people and promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 living in Ireland. 

About your new job

• Leading a Policy Unit of five Policy Officers, including managing and guiding the Policy Officers to implement their responsibilities efficiently and effectively
• Directing, managing and guiding the Policy Unit’s:
  • preparation of published reports and submissions to Government and other key stakeholders on developments in legislation, public policy and practice affecting children’s rights and welfare;
  • preparation of published reports and implementation of other activities relating to  engagement with international and European human/child rights monitoring mechanisms;
  • handling of queries from diverse stakeholders about issues affecting children’s rights and welfare;
  • activities to monitor developments at national, European and international levels that relate to children’s rights and welfare;
  • preparation of internal briefing papers on issues concerning children’s rights, including for the purposes of developing OCO positions on emerging issues;
  • engagement with the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children;
  • work to manage and support the review of the 2002 Act’s operation, as necessary and appropriate;
  • active participation in initiatives and working groups; and
  • activities to support compliance with obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, as amended, as well as the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, as amended.
• Advising on matters concerning children’s rights and supporting the engagement with Government Ministers, Oireachtas Committees, senior civil and public servants, and European and international human/child rights monitoring mechanisms;
• Building and maintaining constructive relationships with key stakeholders, including Government department, public bodies, the Oireachtas and civil society organisations;
• Representing the office at public meetings and events and, as required, on advisory groups, steering committees and in the media.

What skills you need 

• Have achieved a first or second class primary honours degree (at least Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in Ireland) from a recognised university or other third level institution in a relevant discipline, such as law, sociology, social policy, or political science
• Evidence of knowledge and experience of children’s rights, international and European human rights standards (in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), and of national legislation and public policy in Ireland relating to children’s rights.

What’s on Offer? 

• Competitive Starting Salary - €77,528
• Permanent Contract  
• Attractive pension scheme 
• Office based in Dublin City Centre
• 30 Annual Leave days per annum 
• Blended working policy
• Many more family friendly and flexible working policies.

What’s Next?

• For further information, please submit your CV to Shane Mullen in Sigmar Recruitment. 
• Closing date is 12pm on the 15th of May 2024.